I had been trying to garden for a couple seasons and was just coming off another disappointing season for my tomato plants when my husband gave me an unexpected gift for Christmas. I unwrapped it and said, "Honey, what is this weird coffee cup?'
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"It's a sprout starter," he said.
This sprout starter introduced me to my most successful garden crop yet, and I grew them in just five days right on my kitchen countertop'radish sprouts.
I had been too busy trying (and sometimes failing) to grow large fruiting plants to try something as simple as sprouts or microgreens. Now, I recommend all beginner gardeners start here with these simple indoor gardening projects. Growing sprouts is something all of us can do, no matter our situation, no matter how much space or time or gardening experience we have. No green thumb required.
Growing radish sprouts is simply adding a small habit to your everyday schedule, and you only need a couple supplies to get started.
As I've said, one of the main benefits of growing sprouts is the simple setup, and by that, I mean you don't really need much'just some radish seeds, a sprouting jar or sprouting container, and some fresh water.
This doesn't have to be anything fancy. You can start with objects you have around your house, and then upgrade your setup however much you'd like if you find you really enjoy tossing sprouts on your sandwiches and tacos.
If you're repurposing household items, you'll need a container that does not drain, such as a glass jar, a big bowl, or a tray (like a Pyrex dish). Then, you need something that does drain, such as a strainer (the type you'd use to drain water from cooked noodles). Small holes in the bottom should allow water to drip through. This draining container will be set inside the non-draining container.
If you'd like a designated container for growing sprouts, grab a sprouting jar or, my personal favorite, a sprouting tower. I have the stainless steel sprouting tower that's part of our Gardenary Super Sprout System, and it looks really nice on my kitchen counter (I'm constantly starting sprouts, so it never really gets put away). It also allows me to grow several batches of sprouts throughout the week.
I really like the sprout seeds from Rainbow Heirloom Seed Co. Their radish seeds mix contains three different types of radishes: red arrow radish, purple triton radish, and white daikon radish. If you're shopping around, look for non-GMO seeds from reputable growers, and be sure to buy in bulk (like a 1-pound bag). A little package of radish seeds is way more expensive per ounce and will only produce about a week or two of radish sprouts.
(If you're concerned about sprouts being contaminated with E. coli or salmonella, look for sprout packages certifying that a sample of each seed lottery has been tested by an independent laboratory for safety.)
Once you've gotten your seeds and come up with a setup for rinsing your sprouts, you only need one more thing to grow sprouts: H'O. Water is the thing that tells your seeds to wake up from their nap. It swells inside each seed coat until the seed literally bursts open and starts to grow. I use room-temp water straight from the faucet, but you can also use a pitcher filled with fresh water.
You don't need a lot of time or any garden space at all. You're gardening right inside your kitchen. Did you notice something else missing from our supply list?
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Light.
You don't need light to grow sprouts. That's right. Your seeds do not require any kind of light source, not even ambient light, to turn into sprouts. That's because we're catching plants at their very initial stage of growth. You'll notice, in fact, that the cute little heart-shaped leaves are more of a yellow-green, and that's because the plants aren't using chlorophyl to capture sunlight yet.
Every time you come to your kitchen sink throughout the day, run the faucet over the radish seeds in the strainer, spread them back out, cover them, and then let them sit. I find that leaving the seeds next to the sink is the best reminder to give them some water.
Before you go to bed, give your seeds a final rinse for the day and disperse them evenly over the container after. Cover for the night.
Start the process of rinsing and draining your seeds again the next day. After those first 12 or so hours of soaking your radish sprout seeds, make sure you're rinsing them at least twice a day, for the next five to seven days.
These steps are so simple, right? No lights, no soil, no special tools required. And yet, you're gardening.
Within three to four days, you'll start to see the seeds swell a little bit before a tiny white tail emerges. That tail is the radical, the very first root of the radish plant. If it was growing in soil, the radical would search for nutrients, light, and water, but since we're just growing these plants as sprouts, it will be content for now with water.
Your radish sprouts will likely be ready to harvest in just five or six days. You'll know it's time when you see your sprouts forming their first tiny sets of leaves. Harvest your sprouts within one or two days of seeing the first green leaves.
Harvesting sprouts simply means removing them from their tray. You can rinse and remove any remaining spent seed coats if you'd like.
There is a very small risk of consuming bad bacteria like salmonella along with your sprouts. You can reduce your chances of getting sick by washing your sprouts thoroughly before eating them, storing sprouts in the fridge once they're ready, and checking that sprouts are still fresh before enjoying them (no musty smell or slimy appearance).
I typically eat radish sprouts raw, but if you're worried about food-borne pathogens, you can always toss them onto dishes near the end of the cooking process to reduce your risk.
Who doesn't love the crisp, slightly spicy crunch of a fresh radish? Radishes are an easy root vegetable to grow, and one of the fastest crops to mature'Cherry Belle is harvestable in as little as three weeks. Sango is an excellent variety for microgreens, but if you prefer sprouts you'll love Red Arrow. Many growers have had success planting bulk radish seeds as a cover crop: the roots loosen up the soil, with the added benefit of fresh radishes for snacking on all winter long. Whatever your needs, stock up on these bulk radish seeds'science says radish seeds are viable for five years or more!