What’s cool, strong and ‘hemp’ all over? The powerhouse grower we just can’t live without: Sprout Bags. If you’ve tried to sprout with mild success (or have lost precious seeds to mold), it’s time to come on over…to the fabric side, and see what the Sprout Bag is all about.   

Sprout Bags vs. Jars   

Although jars have been a popular choice for sprouting, they were never designed for optimal seed growth. Jars may sit pretty on a windowsill, but successful sprouting in them is more than tricky. The majority of folks starting out find them difficult to work with and, if you’re not diligent, quick to cultivate mold. Jars too easily retain water and then it’s only a matter of time until you’re growing more than you bargained for! Not tasty.

Our solution? Sprout bags. An all-natural fabric and breathable design ensures sprouts get air from every direction. There’s no need to deal with rubber bands, special lids or cheesecloth and cleaning glassware. Sprouting with a bag is travel friendly and oh-so-lightweight! They’re easy to wash, quick to dry, and about as fail-proof as it gets. 

The Many Benefits Of Hemp

Did you know that hemp is one of the hardiest, fastest growing plants on earth and as such an has been made into fabric for tens of thousands of years? And yet, many nut milk and sprout bags are made out of synthetic fibers like nylon, which actually curb sprouting growth. The organic hemp we use in our bags is stronger when wet than dry, has natural antimicrobial properties, is resistant to tearing, and is by far a better choice than man-made counterparts.     

Get Sprouting in 4 Steps 

The Sprout Bag makes sprouting so simple, it’s almost fail-proof. To start, all you need are good seeds, a Sprout Bag, and clean water… 

  1. Clean your new sprout bag by turning it inside out and bathing it in boiling water for 5 minutes. Hang to dry. 
  2. Meanwhile, soak 1/2 cup of high quality sprouting seeds in a jar of water for 8 hours, or overnight. Between 16-32 ounces of fresh water should do the trick! Soak your seeds for much more than 8 hours and you run the risk of jumpstarting fermentation, which is a germination stunter.  
  3. Pour soaked seeds into a wet, pre-washed sprout bag and pull it closed. Rinse with fresh water once more and hang it somewhere where it can drip freely. We like using a hook or knob by a sink, or on a dish rack. You don’t have to hang it forever, just until it completely stops dripping (~15 min).  
  4. Rinse the bag two times a day. This is most easily done by bathing your bag in water for 60 seconds. Hang to dry, rinse and repeat twice daily until your sprouts are ready!      

Your Growth and Harvesting Chart   

Any seed would be happy to sprout in a bag, but not all are created equal. Tailor the water and time to each variety and you’ll have your favorites memorized in no time. The seed quantities can, and should, be adjusted for desired yield. You can start with less than ½ cup and increase as your sprout demand grows! 

VarietyDays To GrowAmount To SoakSkill Level
Spelt, Hard & Soft Wheat, Kamut2-34-8 ozEasy
Green Pea, Lentil, Mung54-8 ozEasy
Sunflower24-8 ozEasy
Radish5-62-3 ozEasy
Adzuki4-54-8 ozMedium
Broccoli62-3 ozMedium
Fenugreek7-82-3 ozMedium
Alfalfa, Clover72-3 ozMedium
Chickpea, Soybean4-54-8 ozHard
Arugula72-3 ozVery Hard*
Chia122-3 ozVery Hard*

*See our post on Gelatinous Seeds for sprouting tips! Hint: sprout on top of the bag for success.

Remember there are three factors to your sprouting success, with the quality of seeds at #1. #2 is the sprouting device! How you sprout your seeds is almost as important as what you’re sprouting. The #3 factor is YOU and your time and care. It doesn’t take a green thumb to grow sprouts, just regular monitoring and rinsing. 

So grab a bag, get to sprouting and let us know where you like to hang your sprout bag! Tag @sproutman in a photo of your favorite spot and, as always, reach out to us with any questions you may have.

Stay sproutful!