This is the time of year I spend hours and hours thumbing through the seed catalogs that come with regular frequency to my mail box. I love those seed catalogs. They allow me to escape this cold weather and bask in the sunlight of my garden, even if only in my mind.
In several of these catalogs I saw all sort of beans to grow bean sprouts, and several rather expensive contraptions to grow them in. I remembered that many years ago I raised Finches, and I used to sprout their bird seed as a special treat for them. And that got me thinking that I could sprout some of the beans from the bags of dried beans in my kitchen. My first thought was to use the same method I used for the bird seed – soaking the beans, and then spreading them on a damp paper towel, keeping it damp until the bean sprouted. I decided to google it and found that the single most popular way to sprout beans is also the most simple. I found several videos demonstrating the procedure, but Mountain Rose Herbs did a great job.
So Friday morning I put a few lentils in a mason jar, covered them with water, and let them soak for the day on the counter. Bernie made a cover for the jar out of a piece of window screen.
Friday night I turned the jar upside down and drained all the water through the screen. Then I filled it with water, swished it around, and emptied it – repeating this about three or four times. Then I drained it one last time, and set it in a bowl, screen side down.
Saturday morning and evening, I rinsed and drained them a few times. And this morning, just two days after I started, I have sprouts!
Within a few days the jar should be mostly filled with sprouts and I’ll be adding them to my daily salads. I can’t wait!
The turkeys started free ranging this week. They’ve decided they like to hang out with the chickens. It was a little touch and go at first – the roosters weren’t very happy with the new visitors at first. But now everyone seems to be getting along, and the turkeys seem happy to spend the day with their chicken friends, and retire to the comfort of their quiet coop at night.
The turkeys are getting so big. Especially Jake.
I love his eyes.
And I love the bronze sheen on his feathers when the sun hits them.
He really loves strutting his stuff.
Sprouting and strutting. That’s what we’re doing here on the homestead.
Tags: sprouting lentil beans
Beautiful sprouts…and gorgeous turkeys! They really are getting so big! Amazing.
I know you will enjoy your sprouts. Simple ways are best (although I have sprouting trays I like too).
I want to know what the chicken covered thing is to the left of your pestle is….
Can I see a picture?
Shoot, your mortar, not the pestle. You’d think I could get my terms straight! LOL
I love Mountain Rose Herbs! That is where I get my soap-making supplies and some teas. Congrats on finding a simple, inexpensive way to get sprouts. I bet your turkeys and chickens would like sprouts too…if you ever have extra!
Those turkeys are getting so big and beautiful. The bronze sheen on Jake is gorgeous. Glad the chickens and turkeys are becoming friends. One big, happy farm family you have there, Penny.
And….HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Susan – it took me a few minutes to know what you were referring to. I kept looking for a mortar or pestle in that picture! That’s really just a plastic salsa bowl – but it does look like a mortar! Oh, and that thing next to it is a small enamel box and lid – it’s from an old refrigerator. I’ll try to remember to get a picture for you. I have a large one that was a vegetable bin that I really love too. I’ll get a picture of that one too, if you like.
Lilla – I love Mountain Rose Herbs too. There were so many videos about sprouting in a jar, but I felt they did the best job. I haven’t found much the turkeys/chickens/goats DON’T like! But the sprouts are just for me – I raise them meal worms for heaven’s sake! Ha!
Sweet sprout trick! You keep watering the sprouts, right? or do you just let them sit until they’re big enough to eat? I’m the only one who’ll eat sprouts so it’s pointless to buy them at the store.
The turkeys are looking great!
Jocelyn – every morning and evening you fill the jar with water and drain it. Do that 3 or 4 times in the morning, and again in the evening. After the last rinse, sit it upside down in a bowl so it drains, but stays moist. You just keep doing that until the sprouts pretty much fill the jar – then you eat them. I’m the only one that will eat them here too. I put the jar in the window over the sink so I’ll see it when I do dishes and remember to rinse the beans.
I feel a project coming on!!!
Get your project on, girlfriend! And let me know how it goes!
Jake is one handsome fella!! Ummmm, sprouts! I’ve not had any in a long time, you’ve inspired me.
Blessings!
CottonLady
I used to do alfalfa sprouts that way. It’s a good idea—they are so full of nutrition. How do lentil sprouts taste?
Jake is going to be making you some baby turkeys come springtime.
Glad all the fowl are getting along.
Cottonlady – thank you! I think Jake really is a handsome fella. Let me know if you start some sprouts!
CeeCee – I like the way the lentil sprouts taste. A little nutty or something like that. I haven’t eaten them in my salad yet – just nibbled here and there. I think they’ll be good and ready within the next couple of days. And I sure hope you’re right about Jake making some baby turkeys for us!
I am not a big fan of sprouts, but I have never seen an easier way to grow them. Might have to give it a shot. Jake is looking big!
Penny, I’m just making it back over here. Yes, I thought your salsa cup was one of those lava type rock Mexican mortars. I’ve seen them and they sure are pretty.
I love that enameled covered dish. If you do get a chance I’d love to see it better as well as the vegetable one. That one partially showing looks really neat and thank you for the offer.
Funny… I just sprouted some lentils this past week! I decided I wanted to do it to give the guineas something fresh to eat, what with all this brown grass outside. I couldn’t believe I stumbled upon your post here as I was catching up on your blog.