I am a hardcore newbie, I've been sprouting lentils as one of my main protein sources, using a pasta drainer and some cloths and it always works. Now I want to try different plants and start learning to grow microgreens, so I've been looking for alternatives, since I am very exited about it. I really needed this information, so thanks a lot.
Thank you for making this video. Im right at the beginning of my sprouting journey and started with a stainless steel tray system made for sprouts, got a plastic tower from handy pantry recently, and just bought some trays because i want to grow a lot of sunflower microgreens. Too many already ☺ Gonna figure what works best for me.
I'm really enjoying your videos so many thanks for doing them. My Geo just arrived & I'm very excited to use it. Which is your preferred device for sprouting beans? I have a mix for my dogs that has some beans in it so I'd like to pick the best device to use to sprout it for them/us. Many thanks! So excited to do different leafy's in the Geo! :)
I just started sprouting. I've done the jars, and now using the hydroponic trays (2). I thought about using the salad spinner! good to know it would work. The jars are the most fun for me because you can watch the growth. Only thing is sometimes, they do stink. Thanks for the video!
@@petermaier3725 hi Peter, I think a one-liter jar is the one I use the most. You can get a really good pile of sprouts from one! I use mason jars (‘Quattro Stagioni’) with sprouting lids I’ve accumulated over time. You can really use any jar, but if you buy one which already has a nice stainless steel mesh lid, that’s probably the best thing. I don’t have any brands, mostly because I don’t remember where I even got my old mesh lids, however I do have some really nice ones from a UK company called Grow Sow Greener. www.growsowgreener.co.uk/products/sprouting-jar-lid-fine-mesh-stainless-steel
Thank you for this video, it's very helpful. I wanted to ask about the tierred sprouters...is it possible to have 1 level of sprouts and 1 of microgreens growing at the same time whilst stacked? Wondering how seeds would grow into microgreens if using the rinsing method. Thanks
Yes, you can grow whatever you want on each tray. If you want the seeds to grow as microgreens, you’ll just have to be mindful with watering and not disturb the seeds too much. I’d spray them rather than rinse. With sprouts it doesn’t matter.
Bit of a vid request. Still new to sprouting here and I happen to have the exact terracotta pots you have for sprouting flax seeds. So far I've had 2 failed attempts. Do you have a good step by step go to for growing flax in the terracotta? What I currently do: 1. Rinse flax 2. Spread 1tbsp worth into a one of the layers 3. First day spray every couple hours (there after twice a day) ... I use a glass bottle filled with regular bottled spring water. Any tips will help.
Hi! I have loads of videos of flax on the GEO trays but maybe not here on my channel. Are you using brown flax or golden? Brown is better. Golden doesn’t sprout very well. Are you using flax from a sprouting seed company or is it pantry flax? ‘Pantry’ flax should sprout but if it isn’t sprouting well, change the seed or try seeds specific for sprouting. I use 3 teaspoons of flax (12g). I soak the seeds for anything from 20 minutes to an hour, or even overnight. It doesn’t seem to make much difference. After the soak I rinse them to get rid of some of the gluey gel they produce. Some will remain, that doesn’t matter. Then I dump them onto a GEO tray (soaked beforehand) and spread them out. You don’t want them all clumped together. I lightly mist them a couple of times per day. The first day they won’t need much, but you’ll notice they start to lose that wet look after a couple of days. Flax will stick and will look like it’ll never come off. No worries. Just mist every day until it starts to sprout and lift. This might take 4 days, depending on how warm it is. Once they have started to grow you have two choices: -grow them as microgreens -grow them as sprouts If you want them as micros, just mist them a couple of times a day. This way they will form a root bed and grow straight up as micros. The longer they get, the more water they will need. Don’t let them dry out. If you want them as sprouts, you can be more heavy handed with the watering. You can hold the tray under the tap and water them like that. This will dislodge them and so they won’t have much chance to form a root bed. This way you’ll get sprouts. Don’t let them dry out. Eat them anytime after they’ve sprouted. This can be literally anytime after day 4ish. If the seeds are viable and you don’t let them dry out, you should get a nice crop! Let me know!
@@LovinglyNicki I use whole Brown flax seed. I'm a bit confused confused as to what Pantry seed is. But I get mine at the grocery store. Also does the water matter? I've seen places that said use distilled water, some have said bottled works. But for the most part it looks like a lot of the youtube turorials use regular sink water as far as flax sprouting go. And admittedly, I think I may have used too much water during the morning and afternoon mists. Do you do like 2 or 3 sprays?
When I say ‘pantry’ seed, what I mean is the one we use to grind and eat, not sprout. Sprouting seeds on the other hand come from a seed company (or the sprouting part of a store), they cost more and are used only for growing sprouts or microgreens. Basically flax is flax, no matter where you buy it, but when we purchase seeds from a sprouting company, we are getting seeds that have been tested for germination as well as other things, such as pathogens. I use both types. Whilst they both grow, I have noticed better germination with seeds from sprouting company. I can’t tell you exactly how much I spray them, as it depends on how warm it is. Just don’t let them sit in water. If you have good seeds, use 3 teaspoons (12g), soak them for about 30 minutes and then spread out onto a tray you’ve previously soaked, that’s a good start.
@@LovinglyNicki Awesome thanks for all the info. Gunna be putting it to use for better results. One last thing, any sprouting company you recommend that's done you justice?
Hi, I have a Geo Terracota sprouter with no instructions. Anyone know where I can find the instructions please. I have tried using it unsucessfully so far - seems to dry out or seeds just sit there!
Gelatinous/mucilaginous seeds such as some mustard, arugula/rocket, cress, flax, chia, basil do not sprout well in jars as they have a hard time draining due to their gluey consistency. To grow these seeds in a jar it is best to add a small amount to a non-gelatinous seed, such as clover.
I am a hardcore newbie, I've been sprouting lentils as one of my main protein sources, using a pasta drainer and some cloths and it always works. Now I want to try different plants and start learning to grow microgreens, so I've been looking for alternatives, since I am very exited about it. I really needed this information, so thanks a lot.
I really appreciate you comparing all of these. You gave me some new ideas, thank you!
Oh that’s great! 💚🌱
thanks, for a comparison like this I was looking for. I plan to start with sprouting.
Glad it was helpful! Sprouting is wonderful!!
Many thanks for the comprehensive sharing of your sprouting tools. The information is very helpful.
I’m happy it is helpful! 🌱💚
Thank you for making this video. Im right at the beginning of my sprouting journey and started with a stainless steel tray system made for sprouts, got a plastic tower from handy pantry recently, and just bought some trays because i want to grow a lot of sunflower microgreens. Too many already ☺ Gonna figure what works best for me.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you this video was very informative for me😊
@@jag2333 I’m happy it’s useful! 🌱💚
Excellent information! Thank you so much!❤👍👍💙
@@sadiedesimone7460 you’re very welcome!
I'm really enjoying your videos so many thanks for doing them. My Geo just arrived & I'm very excited to use it. Which is your preferred device for sprouting beans? I have a mix for my dogs that has some beans in it so I'd like to pick the best device to use to sprout it for them/us. Many thanks! So excited to do different leafy's in the Geo! :)
This has been so very helpful! Glad to hot have to try all of them myself, because that's exactly what I tend to do lol
I just started sprouting. I've done the jars, and now using the hydroponic trays (2). I thought about using the salad spinner! good to know it would work. The jars are the most fun for me because you can watch the growth. Only thing is sometimes, they do stink. Thanks for the video!
Only the brassicas should have that gassy pong, the other sprouts such as clover shouldn’t smell bad.
Thank you for this very helpful overview!
Which jar size do you find to be most practical? Can you recommend a specific jar brand?
Thanks again!
@@petermaier3725 hi Peter, I think a one-liter jar is the one I use the most. You can get a really good pile of sprouts from one!
I use mason jars (‘Quattro Stagioni’) with sprouting lids I’ve accumulated over time. You can really use any jar, but if you buy one which already has a nice stainless steel mesh lid, that’s probably the best thing.
I don’t have any brands, mostly because I don’t remember where I even got my old mesh lids, however I do have some really nice ones from a UK company called Grow Sow Greener. www.growsowgreener.co.uk/products/sprouting-jar-lid-fine-mesh-stainless-steel
Perfect conclusion.
thanx for that.
Thank you!
@@joaonuno6936 you’re very welcome! 💚🌱
My tilted sprouting jars are attracting bugs….do you recommend terra cotta or fully closing stainless steel sprouting trays instead?
@@MeganVermazen I would try to sort out the fruit fly problem first. I don’t think it’s a matter of which sprouting vessel you use.
Thank you for this video, it's very helpful. I wanted to ask about the tierred sprouters...is it possible to have 1 level of sprouts and 1 of microgreens growing at the same time whilst stacked? Wondering how seeds would grow into microgreens if using the rinsing method. Thanks
Yes, you can grow whatever you want on each tray. If you want the seeds to grow as microgreens, you’ll just have to be mindful with watering and not disturb the seeds too much. I’d spray them rather than rinse. With sprouts it doesn’t matter.
@@LovinglyNicki thank you so much!
Today is my 1st time sprouting. Is it okay to use bottled alkaline water to soak my sprouts? Like Essentia or Trader Joe's has an alkaline water too.
Bit of a vid request. Still new to sprouting here and I happen to have the exact terracotta pots you have for sprouting flax seeds. So far I've had 2 failed attempts. Do you have a good step by step go to for growing flax in the terracotta?
What I currently do:
1. Rinse flax
2. Spread 1tbsp worth into a one of the layers
3. First day spray every couple hours (there after twice a day)
... I use a glass bottle filled with regular bottled spring water.
Any tips will help.
Hi! I have loads of videos of flax on the GEO trays but maybe not here on my channel.
Are you using brown flax or golden? Brown is better. Golden doesn’t sprout very well.
Are you using flax from a sprouting seed company or is it pantry flax? ‘Pantry’ flax should sprout but if it isn’t sprouting well, change the seed or try seeds specific for sprouting.
I use 3 teaspoons of flax (12g).
I soak the seeds for anything from 20 minutes to an hour, or even overnight. It doesn’t seem to make much difference. After the soak I rinse them to get rid of some of the gluey gel they produce. Some will remain, that doesn’t matter.
Then I dump them onto a GEO tray (soaked beforehand) and spread them out. You don’t want them all clumped together.
I lightly mist them a couple of times per day. The first day they won’t need much, but you’ll notice they start to lose that wet look after a couple of days.
Flax will stick and will look like it’ll never come off. No worries. Just mist every day until it starts to sprout and lift. This might take 4 days, depending on how warm it is.
Once they have started to grow you have two choices:
-grow them as microgreens
-grow them as sprouts
If you want them as micros, just mist them a couple of times a day. This way they will form a root bed and grow straight up as micros. The longer they get, the more water they will need. Don’t let them dry out.
If you want them as sprouts, you can be more heavy handed with the watering. You can hold the tray under the tap and water them like that. This will dislodge them and so they won’t have much chance to form a root bed. This way you’ll get sprouts. Don’t let them dry out.
Eat them anytime after they’ve sprouted. This can be literally anytime after day 4ish.
If the seeds are viable and you don’t let them dry out, you should get a nice crop! Let me know!
@@LovinglyNicki I use whole Brown flax seed. I'm a bit confused confused as to what Pantry seed is. But I get mine at the grocery store.
Also does the water matter? I've seen places that said use distilled water, some have said bottled works. But for the most part it looks like a lot of the youtube turorials use regular sink water as far as flax sprouting go.
And admittedly, I think I may have used too much water during the morning and afternoon mists. Do you do like 2 or 3 sprays?
When I say ‘pantry’ seed, what I mean is the one we use to grind and eat, not sprout.
Sprouting seeds on the other hand come from a seed company (or the sprouting part of a store), they cost more and are used only for growing sprouts or microgreens.
Basically flax is flax, no matter where you buy it, but when we purchase seeds from a sprouting company, we are getting seeds that have been tested for germination as well as other things, such as pathogens.
I use both types. Whilst they both grow, I have noticed better germination with seeds from sprouting company.
I can’t tell you exactly how much I spray them, as it depends on how warm it is. Just don’t let them sit in water.
If you have good seeds, use 3 teaspoons (12g), soak them for about 30 minutes and then spread out onto a tray you’ve previously soaked, that’s a good start.
@@frantzaudige2623I use filtered water I use to drink. In the past I always used tap water and still had good results.
@@LovinglyNicki Awesome thanks for all the info. Gunna be putting it to use for better results. One last thing, any sprouting company you recommend that's done you justice?
Cery useful, thank you
thank you for your video on this really helps bewbies like me
So happy it’s helpful! 🌱💚🌱
Hi, I have a Geo Terracota sprouter with no instructions. Anyone know where I can find the instructions please. I have tried using it unsucessfully so far - seems to dry out or seeds just sit there!
What have you tried growing on them? I use the GEOs all the time. Ideally you would soak them before use and then make sure the trays don’t dry out.
Mustard, arugula, all sprout perfect in jars? I don’t get what problem you are having?
Gelatinous/mucilaginous seeds such as some mustard, arugula/rocket, cress, flax, chia, basil do not sprout well in jars as they have a hard time draining due to their gluey consistency. To grow these seeds in a jar it is best to add a small amount to a non-gelatinous seed, such as clover.