We'll be adding to these questions as time permits. If you have other questions, please email us.
New- Follow this link to watch our Sprouting Tips video
- I'm new to sprouting. What's the easiest sprout to start with?
- What are the nutritional benefits of sprouts?
- I'm ordering from you by (Canada Post)(US mail), and I would like to know when to expect my order. How long does it take?
- I'm growing radish (or broccoli, Broccoli Brassica Blend, Spicy Lentil Crunch, etc.) sprouts, but the roots are covered with fine white hair that looks like mould. Should I throw them out?
- Is it necessary to remove all, or most, of the hulls from my sprouts? Is there an easier way than picking them off by hand?
- All of your seeds are certified organic, but I don't know what the acronyms of the certification stand for. What do OCIA, COR, CCPB, etc. stand for?
- I see you sell a tray sprouter called the SproutMaster. Is there another way to sprout?
- I'd like to order a larger, more economical amount of sprouting seeds, but I'm concerned that the seeds will lose germination before I can use them all.
- I recently read an on-line article by a Dr. Weil that suggested legume sprouts might not be good for me. Is this true?
- What is the difference between short sprouts and shoots?
- I want to grow sunflower and pea shoots, but I don't know where to get safe soil to grow them in.
- What is the best way to store finished sprouts?
- I've heard rumours that canola might not be good for me. Is that true?
- When is a sprout a microgreen?
- Like any nutritious food, always store sprouts cool, in the refrigerator.
- Make sure your sprouts have some time to air dry after the last rinsing, before storage.
- Most plastic containers will work well for storing sprouts, especially if you can leave a small crack under the lid for excess moisture to evaporate. Plastic bags don't work well because it's difficult to leave a small opening. For really long term storage you can put some paper towel or other absorbent material on the bottom. Excess moisture is the biggest enemy of stored sprouts.
- The SproutMaster sprouters, and some other tray types, come with a top and bottom and can be sued as a crisper in the fridge, if the sprouts aren't taller than the tray. You can allow jars to drain well after the last rinsing, then cover loosely with poly and store directly in the fridge.
- Store up to 10 days or longer, but discard if any signs of mould, bad smells, or deteriorated sprouts show up. Back to top
1. I'm new to sprouting. What is the easiest sprout to start with?
Most of them are really easy. Perhaps the easiest is a mix like Spicy Lentil Crunch or Crunch Bean Mix. They're ready in just three days, and very trouble free. Red clover and alfalfa are also easy to grow.
2. What are the nutritional benefits of sprouts?
Nutrition of sprouts is an exciting area. New information is being released al the time, as scientists continue to study the health benefits of this ancient food.
There is basic information (on some sprouts) in a searchable scientific format available from the USDA here.
The International Sprout Growers Association has some good information on its site.
Visit our Health Benefits of Sprouts page to find links to exciting new research and information.
3.a) I'm ordering from you by US Mail, and I would like to know when to expect my order. How long does it take?
US Mail parcels from Canada are rather erratic, as they can get held in customs occasionally. They always seem to get to our customers, but the minimum time is about 6 days in transit, and they can be as late as 3 weeks. We try to ship orders in less than 2 business days, but occasionally we will be backlogged. Check our homepage for such notices.
3.b) I'm ordering from you by Canada Post, and I would like to know when to expect my order. How long does it take?
Canada Post is pretty efficient. You can expect transit times from 3 to 6 days, though some busy seasons for mail could be slower. We try to ship orders in less than 2 business days, but occasionally we will be backlogged. Check our homepage for such notices.
4. I'm growing radish sprouts, but the roots are covered with fine white hairs that looks like mould. Should I throw them out?
Your sprouts are just fine. Radish and some other related plants (such as broccoli) will send out fine white root hairs searching for moisture if conditions are a little dry. Try watering a little more. If you see green or black fuzz though, discard the area with a good margin around it.
5. Is it necessary to remove all, or most, of the hulls from my sprouts? Is there an easier way than picking them off by hand?
There is absolutely no problem with leaving the hulls, other than looks. They just add fibre. A good way to remove most of the hulls easily is to stir the finished sprouts in a large sink of cool water, then skim off the hulls and lift out the sprouts with some rinsing. If the sprouts are going to be in the fridge for a long time, removing most of the hulls will improve keeping quality. Drain the sprouts well before storing (a salad spinner is a quick way to do this).
6. All of your seeds are certified organic, but I don't know what the acronyms of the certification stand for. What do OCIA, COR, CCPB, etc. stand for?
OCIA stands for Organic Crop Improvement Association. It's an international organization that runs the certification program for hundreds of farms, worldwide. Their website is www.ocia.org.
COR stands for Canadian Organic Regime. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has implemented national standards for organic agriculture. Visit their website.
CCPB (Consorzio per il Controllo dei Prodotti Biologici) is an organization based in Italy, that certifies Italian farms and processors. Their website is http://www.ccpb.it/ (in Italian).
Both are accredited by IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Movements), which is a group that oversees the credibility of many organic certification organizations. Their website is www.ifoam.org.
7. I see you sell a tray sprouter called the SproutMaster. Is there another way to sprout?
A glass or plastic jar, a rubber band, and a piece of netting are all you need. See our home sprouting directions.
8. I'd like to order a larger, more economical amount of sprouting seeds, but I'm concerned that the seeds will lose germination before I can use them all.
Sprouting seeds are very durable, as long as they are kept cool and dry. Most seeds will keep for years. We have a sample alfalfa seed, stored at room temperature, that was grown here in 1981. Germination was originally 94%, and on last test in 1999, it was still 89%. Not premium seed anymore, but it would still be sproutable in a pinch. Some seeds like onion and leek, and perhaps sunflower, are more delicate, with a life of about a year at room temperature. This time can be greatly extended, though, if you can keep the seed in a moisture proof container in a freezer or refrigerator. Freezing is a good idea for any of the more expensive seeds that you won't be able to use in a few months.
9. I recently read an on-line article by a Dr. Weil that suggested legume sprouts might not be good for me. Is this true?
This is a bit of mis-information from Dr. Weil. You can read a very good and well researched article in the Vegetarian Journal. This article explains why you should eat sprouted legumes. I'm not sure why Dr. Weil is on this hobbyhorse, but it probably did get him some attention and publicity.
Personally, I think most foods contain a balance of toxins and helpful substances. The way to avoid any harm from the toxins is to eat a well-balanced assortment of foods. We eat lots of legume sprouts. I like them, and feel they add far more in good nutrients and phytochemicals to my diet than any very minor toxins they may carry.
10. What is the difference between short sprouts and shoots?
This usually refers to seeds like peas. They can be sprouted for two or three days until the sprout is about 0.5 cm (1/4") long, or they can be grown on paper towels or baby blanket until they reach 3 to 6 inch tall shoots. The taste and uses are quite different. Short sprouts can be eaten out of hand, added to salads, or cooked. Shoots are eaten as snacks, used as garnishes, or added to sandwiches, etc.
11. I want to grow sunflower and pea shoots, but I don't know where to get safe soil to grow them in.
You don't need soil to grow sunflower and pea shoots, or buckwheat lettuce and grain grass crops for that matter. Just grow in a tray type sprouter, watering well twice a day. See our soil-less sunflower, pea shoot, and wheatgrass directions.
If you do want to use soil, make sure it's free of pesticides or artificial fertilizer. Some smaller seeded plants do seem to do slightly better when grown with soil. We now carry Baby Blanket, a natural felted mat, that can replace soil as a substrate for seeds. In combination with SeaSpray natural kelp fertilizer, you can have the advantages of soil sprouting without the mess.
12. What is the best way to store finished sprouts?
13. I've heard rumours that canola might not be good for me. Is that true?
Some history: The ancestor of modern canola is rapeseed, a traditional oilseed crop in Europe. Rapeseed had some problems with oil quality, so in the 50's and 60's Canadian researchers used traditional plant breeding methods to develop a new strain of rapeseed called Canola. Canola yielded a healthier oil.
In the 80's we tried Canola as a sprouting seed, and really liked it. We've been sprouting since then.
The unfortunate complication is that in the 90's Monsanto Corporation released genetically modified canola with with a tolerance to roundup herbicide on the Canadian prairies. This canola quickly became a weed on conventional farms, and crossed with some non-GM canola.
At the present time, we are still able to buy Certified Organic canola from fringe areas where GM canola has been grown very little. All our canola has been tested for the presence of the Roundup Ready or Liberty Link characteristics, and found to GM free.
Bottom line- Canola sprouts, from our seeds, are healthy, nutritious, and delicious.
14. When is a sprout a microgreen?
Microgreens is a new and trendy name for sprouts farther on their way to becoming plants. Usually they are grown for a longer time than sprouts, 10 to 15 days. They may be grown with water or with Baby Blanket, or soil substitute. For examples see our directions for pea shoots and sunflower shoots.
© Jim Mumm 2010- 2019