Does anyone grow Broccoli sprouts?

last year

I keep meaning to try this, especially over the winter months. Wondered if anyone was successfully doing it and could advise on pitfalls to avoid, where to get organic seed now?

Featured Answer

beesneeds

last year

I don't fear salmonella because I use good seed from a reputable source and I do not use water that has been through the intestinal tracts of animals or in contact with the leavings of animals. I grow them clean, with clean materials and clean hands. Pretty much the same clean as when doing ferments or canning. There isn't any risk of salmonella when I grow sprouts. Commercial sprouts can be questionable IMO for a variety of reasons so I don't buy them. Microgreens can have a risk of salmonella if one is using contaminated seed or water. That's also often how mature commercial greens get salmonella, from contaminated water.

Sprouts are fussier IMO since you need to rinse and reset them a couple times a day and microgreens need watering every day or two. Microgreens also safely hold longer on the grow than sprouts do. I don't really avoid growing sprouts. I just don't grow them often because we tend to like microgreens more.

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Comments (11)

robert567
last year
Not much different than growing other sprouts, but I find that cabbage type sprouts often smell bad when grown in a jar. I like Radish sprouts, a little crunchier and a touch of spice. Reminded me that I have seeds in the fridge, going to start some now.

Botanical Interests seed racks in my area nursery have a good selection of organic sprouting seeds to try without spending too much, the new seeds will be out soon.

High Mowing Seeds has some broccoli and broccoli blends not too expensive to try.
prairiemoon2 z6b MA thanked robert567
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Robert - Thank you for that information. I tried looking on Johnny's for them and they are backordered until July of 2023. And you are right, they seem reasonably priced for organic seed.

Did you ever worry about developing salmonella or other bacteria when growing these? Do you take any steps that increase your safety? I also wonder, if you want to eat sprouts a few times a week, how often do you have to start them and how much seed do you have to use to get the right amount of sprouts? I'm thinking you must go through a lot of seed to eat these on a regular basis? Did you just use mason jars and a strainer and that's it?
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beesneeds
last year
You can grow microgreen seed as sprouts. Johnnys is out of stock on organic sprout, but it has organic microgreen in stock.

You shouldn't have to worry about salmonella. Sources like Johnnys and Botanical Intrests make the seed reliably. Make sure you use clean water for your sprouts- most commercial issues come from irrigating with contaminated water sources. Make sure you change out your water often.

I don't grow sprouts very often, unless I have a dish planned for them. I tend to microgreens more, they work better for me. But when I do, a small seed like broccol is a teaspoon for a nice bit of sprouts. I like to keep my mason jar capped with a coffee filter during sprouting- lets air go through, keeps other stuff out. I take it off for rinsing and refilling the jar.
prairiemoon2 z6b MA thanked beesneeds
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
BeesNeeds, thanks, I'll take a look at Johnny's microgreen seed. I've been reading a lot about Broccoli sprouts being so good for you that I want to try it. 20x the nutrients compared to adult broccoli, so they say. Thanks for the tips on growing. I was planning on using filtered water, but wondering if I should also boil it first?
beesneeds
last year
I would think the water is safe to sprout with if it's safe to drink right out of the tap without having to boil it. I tend to grow microgreens, and they turn out fine with our well water.
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
Original Author
last year
BeesKnees - do you avoid growing sprouts because of the risk of Salmonella? I seem to have read some articles that put some emphasis on that because microgreens don't have any risk to them.
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
Original Author
last year
Thank you BeesNeeds, that clarifies a lot for me and now I am settled about it. I think I will try to do both the sprouts and the microgreens and see which suits us best.

Happy New Year!
HU-939938193
last year
I do broccoli sprouts in the early spring from around mid March through April ( kinda like track season). For me ,when it gets into May , salmonella gets to be more of a concern with smelly , slimy sprouts even when being kept in the frig. That's when I quit it. I do the jar thing with a mesh lid.

Okie HU
prairiemoon2 z6b MA thanked HU-939938193
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
Original Author
last year
I just ordered seed yesterday and wow the shipping was high. I wanted to try two suppliers, Johnny's Seeds and High Mowing. I got both sprouts and microgreens. HM was $6. and Johnnys was $8. shipping for packets of seed! Next time I'll try to get them off the rack locally. I believe they have them, just not a selection I imagine.
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
Original Author
last year
My seed arrived and I'm watching YouTube videos on how to grow. Recommendations are to presoak the seeds in water mixed with apple cider vinegar and one drop of soap for 8 hrs to kill any potential bacteria. Does anyone else do that?