How to Get Started Seed Sprouting for Emergencies

Your Emergency Supply Is Not Complete Without These. Here’s How to Get Started…

What are the world’s quickest-growing vegetables?

• Sunflower shoots grow in 12 days
• Radishes are ready in three weeks
• Lettuce matures to harvest in 30 days

But what if we told you there’s a vegetable that grows to completion in JUST 3 DAYS?!

We’re talking about sprouting seeds, the favorite “wonder-veggie” of preppers the world over. If you don’t have at least a few of these tucked away in your emergency supply, then your stockpile is not complete.

Not to worry. Today we’ll teach you what you need to know to get started with sprouting seeds and how to grow them.

What Is a Sprouting Seed?

Sprouting seeds are partially matured and can therefore grow more quickly.

As the name states, sprouting seeds are “seeds,” just like the ones we plant in our gardens. The difference is that they’re further along in their growth cycle; these are mature seeds that are already in the process of becoming plants.

All it takes to complete their growth is a relatively stable environment and some moisture. Once they’ve got that, sprouting seeds are ready to harvest very quickly—in as few as three days, depending on the variety.

Why Are Sprouts Good for Emergencies?

Sprouts are THE fresh vegetable to have in an emergency because they grow quicker and easier than any other food. Here’s why…

No Fertilizer

You don’t need fertilizer to plant sprouts—they can be placed right into a tray.

Little Upkeep

It takes fewer than five minutes a day to keep sprouts healthy and growing. You just need to water them.

Grows Easily Indoors

Because they're further along in their life cycle, sprouts do not require sunlight or fancy overhead lights to thrive.

Grows Quickly

Like we’ve said, sprouts complete their growth somewhere between three and ten days. That means you can plant it after a disaster hits and have fresh food ready to harvest in the middle of the crisis.

No Headaches

Because there’s no soil bed, sprouting seed crops don’t need weeding, pest control, or any of the other fussy little tasks that come with gardening.

Super Healthy

During the "sprout" phase of a plant's life cycle, more vitamins are released. 

Sprouts are small but mighty. On a pure bang-for-your-buck nutritional basis, they give you more vitamins and minerals than just about any other food source.

The reason is that the “sprout” phase of a plant’s life cycle is the point at which more vitamins are released to keep the organism healthy. At the same time, harmful compounds like oligosaccharides and tannins are neutralized.

As a result, sprouts are loaded with vitamins A, B, C, and E at around 10x the density of regular seeds. They’re also a great source of fiber and protein, which means they give you immediate energy and help regulate your blood sugar levels.

Add all of that together and you’ve got a long-term food source that is perfect for emergencies.

Related Read: "How to Clean Seeds for Sprouting."

How to Sprout

Seed sprouting is simple. With a minimal investment, you can be on your way to doing it in a matter of days. Here are a few things you need to know to get started…

1. Start with Your Sprouting Tray Grower Container

Instead of garden pots or plots, sprouting seeds require “trays.” These are glass or plastic vessels designed specifically to hold and nurture a sprout. They maintain a damp environment and let in enough light to stimulate photosynthesis.

Our prep experts recommend the following when choosing a tray for your sprout garden

• STORE-BOUGHT – You can make a tray out of household items like canning jars and cheesecloth. But none of that will perform or last as long as a quality, manufactured sprouting tray. And considering that manufactured trays will only put you back a few bucks, there’s no reason not to buy one.
• MULTI-TIER – Look for a four-tier tray that lets you grow multiple varieties and a larger volume of sprouts. With a few of these running at once, you can put together a substantial crop in just a week.
• IN-TRAY WATER DRAINING – Not every sprouting tray—especially the homemade variety—provides adequate drainage. Make sure the space beneath the sprout bed is large enough for a couple cups or more of water. 
• ACCESS TO LIGHT – As long as your trays are made of glass or plastic, they should let in plenty of light to stimulate photosynthesis.
• SIZED (MEASURE) – Individual trays should ideally measure five to six inches in diameter, giving your sprouts space to grow.

2. Get the Best Seeds… For You

There is a wide variety of sprouting seeds available. Choose seeds that you like and that are personalized to your health needs in emergencies.

Nearly any seed can become a “sprouting seed,” from legumes to grains, vegetables, alfalfa… the list goes on. For emergency preparation, select seeds to your taste with an eye toward protein, fiber, and essential vitamins.

Popular seeds for emergency preparation include:

• ALFALFA – A powerful source of vitamin C for keeping the immune system healthy.
• BROCCOLI – Big on protein and fiber, which is great for energy and blood sugar levels.
• PROTEIN MIX – If you want to double down on protein, “protein mixes” create a wonderful emergency supply supplement.
• SALAD MIX – Another great mix, this will give you a wider variety of vitamins and benefits.
• MUNG BEAN – Looking to boost the daily calories of your food supply? Seven ounces of mung beans provide over 200 calories and 14 grams of protein, plus lots of the minerals you may not get through regular meals.

3. Pick Your Spot

The good news is that no matter where you are, as long you have access to a temperature-controlled environment, you can successfully grow sprouts.

Once you’ve got a sprouting tray and selected your seeds, your next task is to figure out where to place them.

Sprouts can grow in lots of locations, but they are sensitive to light and heat. Our advice is to place your sprouting tray in a moderately lit location… somewhere between a dark closet and the brightest window in the house. A shady spot in your kitchen should do just fine; somewhere with a gentle supply of sunlight as well as close access to water.