Supplies for Growing Your Own Seed and Bean Sprouts

Growing your own sprouts is easy and fun. They're not only good for you, sprouts are also a great way to have fresh greens all year long without having to go to the grocery store. All you need are seeds or beans or even wheat and a receptacle to allow them to sprout in.

Sprouting is even easier when you have the right tools at your fingertips. Here, I've gathered some of the best supplies to get you started including everything from the seeds to sprouting trays and books to learn more.

Sprouting Seeds and Beans

There are many seeds and beans used in sprouting. Some of the most popular seeds include alfalfa, broccoli, clover and buckwheat.

Lentils are an excellent bean for those new to sprouting. They're easy to grow and also easy to find. You'll most likely find them in your nearest grocery store. But other beans can be used such as pinto, garbanzo and mung. Mung beans are the most commonly sprouted bean and what you may be used to seeing in the grocery store.  They're used in Asian dishes such as stir-fry, in salads and sandwiches.

Wheat seeds, also called wheat berries, can also be sprouted for eating raw or used in baking sprouted breads. They're also used after sprouting to grow wheatgrass which is known as a highly nutrient green super food.  Essene bread is another healthy recipe you can make from sprouted wheat berries and is believed to be of prehistoric origins.  This recipe from Mother Earth News will walk you through the steps of making it.  If you're a raw foodie, this bread is excellent for your diet because it can be made in a dehydrator.

Many people prefer organic seeds and beans. These can be found in some supermarkets, health food stores and through the links I provide here.

If you don't want to buy a bunch of different supplies but want to try a small amount of different types of sprouts, then a sprouting kit might be just the thing for you. These kits come with everything you need to get started including a sampling of seeds and sprouting trays.

Ann Wigmore is the originator of Wigmore's Living Food Diet and has published popular books on sprouting and growing wheat grass. Her book linked below gives instructions to start sprouting for gardeners of every level as well as explains the health benefits of this raw food.

There's no need to be intimidated by sprouting. Even if you think you don't have a green thumb, sprouts are hard to get wrong. In a few days you'll have a delicious whole food that you grew yourself. Enjoy!