Guide to Sprouting Beans & Seeds

Sprouting Methods

• You can sprout beans and seeds using tray, towel, clay or soil methods. When sprouting with the tray method, spread seeds on a perforated wooden tray. A plastic-sheet covering exposes sprouts to sunlight and develops chlorophyll. Sprout with the towel method by placing large seeds between two wet towels. Use the clay pot method when the soaked seeds produce gel. Sprout in an unglazed clay pot. Finally, use the soil method to sprout seeds or beans in a jar using equal amounts of topsoil and moistened peat moss. (Jeff Breakey's sprouting chart details how to apply different sprouting methods; see the Resources.)

  Be sure to soak the seeds or beans before beginning any sprouting method.

Supplies

• Gather supplies for soaking seeds and beans, and for the sprouting method you choose to follow. Soaking supplies include cheesecloth, rubber bands and jars or cotton bags. Sprouting supplies include perforated wooden trays, clear plastic and black sheeting, towels, clay pots and glass jars. If using the jar method, have peat moss and topsoil ready.

Beans

• Match sprouting methods with the right type of beans. According to Jeff Breakey's sprouting chart, sprout lentils and garbanzo and mung beans in jars. Peas will sprout in jars or by the towel method. Sprout kidney and pinto beans in jars as well.

Seeds

• The type of method you use to sprout depends upon the type of seeds with which you begin. Use the jar method to sprout seeds including, but not limited to, pumpkin, mustard and sesame seeds. Sprout peas using the towel method. Sunflower seeds sprout in soil and turnip seeds sprout in clay pots.