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     In the May/June 2009 issue of New Harvest Homestead, find out how gardens are growing all over the United States! 

                              Grow Sprouts!

Even if you can't manage to grow something outdoors - here's a way to grow a truly nutritious and delicious food right in your kitchen.

1) Get a couple of quart sized canning jars

2) Buy some good sprouting seeds at the health food store.  Get alfalfa or clover for this first attempt.

3) Cover the bottom of one of the jars with the seed, two seeds deep or so.

4) Fill the jar halfway with water.  Cover the top with cheesecloth and screw a rim on to secure it.

5) Let the seed soak overnight.

6) The next day, pour off the water through the cheesecloth.  Lay the jar on its side.  Make sure the jar is not in direct sunlight.  Prop it up with something so that it is at a slight angle.  This is so any excess water will pool at the bottom instead of drowning the sprouts.

7) Do this rinsing procedure two times a day.  If the sprouts begin to clump at the bottom, take off the lid an gently spread them around the jar with the back side of a wooden spoon.

     In about 6 to 7 days you will have a jar full of green, delicious sprouts.  When ready, take the sprouts out of the jar and submerge them in a bowl of clean, cold water.  This will cause the seed hulls to float to the top where you can skim them off.
     Drain the sprouts, wrap them in a paper towel and store them in a ziploc bag in the fridge.  They will keep for 3 to 4 days.
     Around day 3 of your first sprouting, start the second jar.  This way you will have a continuous supply!
This makes a great little homeschooling science project.  Kids usually can't resist trying something they've grown themselves.  

Have fun!