Growing Vegetables Indoors

​Broccoli sprouts are ​extremely nutritious​. ​You can grow sprouts in jars, but this time I wanted to try something different. I’ll show you how to grow broccoli sprouts in trays so you can see just how much ​more you can produce in​ very little space.

Health Benefits of Broccoli Sprouts

There are so many health benefits when it comes to broccoli sprouts. One of the biggest draws is how rich it is in sulforaphane (SFN) — an organic compound found in broccoli sprouts and other cruciferous veggies. [​source]​​​

Broccoli sprouts contact higher concentrations of sulforaphane than their mature counterparts.Just some of SFN benefits include it being:

• Anticancer
• Antimicrobial
• Anti-inflammatory
• and Promoting Detoxification [​​source]

​Grow Broccoli Sprouts Safely

Before we begin, there are certain ​precautions you’ll want to take before growing your sprouts at home.

​You’ll find safety measures for sprouting here. Please be sure to review them before sprouting your seeds.

​Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I earn a commission if you make a purchase using my links. This is at no additional cost to you. The products are only recommended because I personally use them and believe you will enjoy them too.

​What Is Needed To Grow Broccoli Sprouts In Trays?

​Personally, I like to buy kits that have everything I need to get started. That’s why I purchased, and now recommend, this 3-tray stackable seed sprouter by Handy Pantry. ​

Stackable Tray Sprout Garden on True Leaf Market

​Besides the sprouter, ​you’ll need broccoli seeds​. Here’s where I get mine:

• ​Broccoli seeds for sprouting​

​Optional:
You might also want to purchase a sprouting lid. Although we’re ​sprouting in trays, you’ll need to soak your seeds overnight and then drain the water the next day. ​If you have a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, you can use that to strain out the water instead.

• ​Sprouting lid​ (Fits wide-mouth mason jars, both quart and half gallon size)

​Instructions for Growing Broccoli Sprouts In Trays

​(Note: If you’d rather watch this process from beginning to end, check out the YouTube video on growing broccoli sprouts.)

1. Add 6 TBSP of broccoli seeds to a container with a lid. (This is 2 TBSP for each sprouting tray). Fill the container halfway with filtered water and attach the lid.
2. Place your container out of direct sun and let it soak overnight. Drain the water the next day.
3. Add 2 TBSP broccoli seeds to each sprouting tray (the one with the holes in the bottom). Rinse your seeds and then spread the seeds evenly over the tray surface.
4. Stack your trays (see video below) and then place your sprouter in an open air environment such as the top of the counter.
5. Rinse your seeds twice a day — once in the AM and once in the PM. To rinse, run water over your seeds and then gently swirl the tray until the water goes out the bottom. (It’s like gold panning if you’ve ever done that. 🙂 )
6. Continue the rinsing process (twice daily) for about 4 to 6 days. Sprouts are typically a couple of inches long when ready. (Watch the video if you want to see what I had on day 5.)
7. Give your broccoli sprouts a final rinse. Dry them with paper towels or a salad spinner.
8. Place your sprouts in a container or plastic bag and refrigerate. Eat your sprouts within 7 days.
   
   Optional Steps:
   Before drying your broccoli sprouts (step 7), you can remove the remaining seeds and seed shells (this is a personal preference). Break up the sprouts with your hand, rinse and then drain the water out to remove the seeds. Repeat as many times as you’d like.
   
   You can green up your sprouts before drying them and putting them in the refrigerator. Simply leave your sprouts uncovered in a sunny area, such as a windowsill, for about 30 minutes to an hour. 

​Growing Broccoli Sprouts In Trays Video

How To Grow Broccoli Sprouts In Trays (Print Version)

Yield: 3 Trays

Prep Time: 8 hours

Active Time: 30 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 9 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Broccoli sprouts are extremely nutritious. This step-by-step guide shows you how to grow broccoli sprouts in trays so you can produce 3 levels of sprouts in just one square foot of counter space.

Print

Materials

• Broccoli Seeds for Sprouting

Tools

• 3-Tray Stackable Seed Sprouter
• Optional: Sprout Lid

Instructions

1. Add 6 TBSP of ​broccoli seeds to a container with a lid. (This is 2 TBSP for each sprouting tray). Fill the ​container halfway with filtered water and ​attach the lid.​
2. Place your​ container out of direct sun and ​let it​ soak overnight. Drain the water the next day.
3. Add 2 TBSP broccoli seeds to each sprouting tray (the one with the holes in the bottom). Rinse your seeds and then spread the seeds evenly over the tray surface.
4. Stack your trays (see video) and then place your sprouter in an open air environment such as the top of the counter.
5. Rinse your seeds twice a day -- once in the AM and once in the PM. To rinse, run water over your seeds and then gently swirl the tray until the water goes out the bottom.
6. Continue the rinsing process (twice daily) for about 4 to 6 days. Sprouts are typically ​a couple of inches long when ready. (Watch the video if you want to see what I had on day 5.)
7. Give your broccoli sprouts a final rinse​. Dry them with paper towels or a salad spinner.
8. Place your sprouts in a container or plastic bag and refrigerate. Eat your sprouts within 7 days.

Notes

Optional Steps

• Before drying your broccoli sprouts (step 7), you can remove the ​remaining seeds and seed shells (this is a personal preference). ​Break up the sprouts with your hand, rinse and then drain the water out to remove the seeds. Repeat as many times as you'd like.
• You can green up your sprouts before drying them and putting them in the refrigerator. Simply leave ​your sprouts uncovered in a sunny area, such as a windowsill, for about ​30 minutes to an hour​.

MORE FROM THE MICROGREENS & SPROUTS SERIES:

• ​​How To Grow Vegetables Indoors for Beginners: Sprouts & Microgreens
• ​How To Grow Radish Sprouts In A Jar (In Just 5 Days!) ​
• ​How To Microgreens Indoors Without Soil (Coming Soon!)
• How To Microgreens with Coconut Coir (Coming Soon!)

​If you want crunchy, spicy and ​nutritious ​food, look no further. Radishes are one of my favorite seeds to sprout. ​Below, you’ll find instructions, along with a detailed video, on how to grow radish sprouts in a jar.

Radish Sprouting Seed Varieties By Color

I like to sprout colorful radishes just for the fun of it. 🙂 If you’d like to do the same, here are four different radish varieties (with their colors in parenthesis) that you might enjoy.

​Colorful Radish Varieties

Be sure to review these safe sprouting methods to ensure you take good precautionary measures before sprouting your seeds.

​Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I earn a commission if you make a purchase using my links. This is at no additional cost to you. The products are only recommended because I personally use them and believe you will ​enjoy them too.

​Seed Sprouting Supplies

• Radish sprouting seeds (2 TBSP to 3 TBSP)
• ​Mason jar (quart size, wide mouth)
• Sprout​​ing lid
• Filtered water
• Bowl

Check out TrueLeafMarket.com – Organic Sprouting Seeds, Kits & Supplies

Radish Sprouts Growing Instructions

1. Add 2 to 3 TBSP of radish seeds to a mason jar, fill the jar halfway with filtered water and screw on the sprouting lid.
2. Place your jar out of direct sun and in an open air environment (such as the top of a counter). Leave it to soak overnight.
3. Drain the water out of the jar. Fill the jar with fresh water and then drain it out immediately (rinse). Repeat this rinsing process a second time.
4. Position your jar in a bowl at an angle. This continues to remove excess water.
5. Rinse your seeds two times a day: once in the morning and once in the evening. (Do at least two rinses each time.) Always put your jar back in the bowl so it can continue to drain any leftover water.
6. Watch your seeds for progress. By the fifth day, your jar should be filled with sprouts that are ready for the next step.
7. Give your sprouts a final rinse, then place them in a bowl. Fill the bowl with water, place your hand over the sprouts and then drain the water. (This step gets rid of the remaining seeds. Repeat as many times as you prefer, as this is a personal preference.)
8. Dry your sprouts using paper towels or a salad spinner. Put your dry sprouts in a container or plastic bag and then refrigerate. Eat your sprouts within 7 days.

If you want to watch a step-by-step process of growing radish sprouts in a jar, check out the video below.

How To Eat Radish Sprouts

If you eat mature radishes, you know that these veggies have a spicy flavor. Radish sprouts are no exception.

Raw radish sprouts can be added to so many meals where you want that crunchy, spicy kick.

Here are some suggestions:

These sprouts are also great on their own as a snack. You might find (like me) that once you have these sprouts in your fridge, you’ll often start adding them to everything!

When To Start A New Batch Of Sprouts

To keep a constant supply, I usually sprout new radish seeds after a couple of days. (Or, when I’ve eaten about half of my sprouts.)

You might want to do the same, and then adjust your growing schedule after you see how often you eat them.

​This post is part of a series about how to produce your own vegetables indoors ​by growing sprouts and microgreens. These cost effective, and no-soil-required solutions are great for beginner gardeners​ and people who want to be more self-sufficient when it comes to healthy food. 🙂

MORE FROM THE MICROGREENS & SPROUTS SERIES:

• ​​How To Grow Vegetables Indoors for Beginners: Sprouts & Microgreens
• ​How To Grow ​Broccoli Sprouts In Trays ​
• ​How To Microgreens Indoors Without Soil (Coming Soon!)
• How To Microgreens with Coconut Coir (Coming Soon!)

​When it comes to growing your own food,​ you might think you need lots of outside space, sun and ​time (traditional gardening). ​Hence,​ this how to grow vegetables indoors for beginners guide is here to help.

As newbie gardener, I want to make sure that you know you can grow sprouts and microgreens inside, year round and you don’t even need soil! ​

​This page ​is designed to give you​ an introduction to sprouts and microgreens​ so you understand ​​what they are, how they grow and ​ways you can incorporate these little plants into your diet.

​About Growing Veg​gies Indoors ​As A Beginner​​

Before ​we continue, I just want to mention that you have a lot of options when it comes to growing ​food indoors. The reason I recommend sprouts and microgreens — especially when you’re new to gardening — is because you ​will produce nutritious food with little time and cost investment.

There is also a huge learning curve to growing food. It helps to ​be successful right away so you don’t falsely ​believe that you have a black thumb. 😉

​Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I earn a commission if you make a purchase using my links. This is at no additional cost to you. The products are only recommended because I personally use them and believe you will enjoy them too.

​Benefits of Growing Sprouts & Microgreens​

Growing sprouts and microgreens is an effective way to grow nutritious produce at home. Here’s why ​they’re ​awesome for growing as indoor vegetables:

• You don’t need soil
• You can use a simple artificial light ​if you don’t have sunlight.​ (​Microgreens need light, but sprouts don’t.)
• You can grow these foods indoors and year round
• You ​don’t need a lot of space
• You don’t need to spend lots of time setting things up. (Also, ​you’ll only need a few minutes each day to care for your food as it grows.)
• ​​You​ don’t have to worry about fertilizing, pest control or other tasks associated with growing vegetables to maturity because you’re eating these plants at an early stage.
• ​The grow time is QUICK! You’ll be able to eat your sprouts within a few days, and microgreens are usually ready in 2 to 3 weeks.

​and most importantly…

• ​​There are major health benefits when you eat sprouts and microgreens. Sprouting, for instance, breaks down anti-nutrients and makes foods easier to digest​. And, microgreens contain even more minerals, vitamins and antioxidants than when fully grown. [source, source]

Differences Between Sprouts and Microgreens

​Both sprouts and microgreens are eaten as baby plants before they mature, but ​they are not the same thing. ​The ​main differences are in the way that sprouts and microgreens are grown and the stage that they’re eaten.

Here’s a quick breakdown…

​Sprouts:

• ​​Sprouts are grown in water (​for example, in glass jars).
• Sprouts are eaten shortly after the seed germinates (starts becoming a plant). You’ll have sprouts for eating within a few days.

Microgreens:

• Microgreens are typically grown in trays on top of grow media like seed-starting mix, coconut coir or grow pads. They also require natural sunlight or a​ light after they germinate.
• Microgreens are eaten after the cotyledons (embryonic leaves) appear. You’ll be able to harvest microgreens in 1 to 3 weeks, depending on what you’re growing.

It’s also worth mentioning that you may grow sprouts if you prefer a crunchy snack. Personally, I grow both.

Growing Sprouts Indoors

Here’s what you’ll need to know to start growing sprouts quickly and safely.

Is It Safe To Grow Your Own Sprouts?

Sprouts can potentially carry bacteria that is linked to food borne illness. The issue originates on the seed itself. That’s why you should always take precautions with your seed supply and sprouting process.

Here’s how you can do that…

Seed Supply: Buy raw seeds for sprouting that are labeled as “certified pathogen free.” This labeling indicates the seeds have been tested for pathogens prior to sale. True Leaf Market is one of my favorite retailers for this type of seed.

Pre-Sprouting Process: Soak your seeds for 5 minutes in a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide or vinegar and water. Discard the solution, rinse your seeds and continue with the sprouting process.

Sprouting Process: Use clean, sanitized equipment to sprout your seeds. (Make sure your hands are clean too.) Rinsing your seeds twice a day helps prevent bacterial growth as well. Always leave your sprout jar/tray in an open air environment, such as the top of a counter, so mold doesn’t have the chance to develop.

I regularly enjoy sprouts as part of a healthy diet as I feel the benefits far outweigh potential risks, especially since I follow safety practices.

​Please do your own research on the risks and benefits before eating sprouts to form your own opinions.

​Ultimately, by growing your own sprouts at home, you know w​here the seeds come from, how fresh the sprouts are and ​what’s ​coming in contact with your plants at all times.

What Are the Different Types of Sprouts?

You have a large range of vegetables, nuts, beans and grains that you can sprout to eat. Below, are some of the most popular sprouting seeds just to give you an idea. 🙂

• Alfalfa
• Broccoli
• Clover
• Sunflower Seeds
• Radish
• Garbanzo Beans
• Lentils
• Almonds
• Onion
• Soybeans

• ​Mung Bean
• ​Wheat
• ​Mustard
• ​Beet
• ​Fenugreek
• G​reen Pea
• ​Red Clover
• ​Spelt
• ​Chickpeas
• ​Amaranth

Growing Sprouts In A Jar

You’ll need some sprouting seeds​ to get started. These types of seeds come in all kinds of varieties of beans, nuts, grains and veggies.

Equipment is simple. ​It’s just a glass mason jar, a sprouting lid and a bowl that can hold your tilted glass jar. (Amazon affiliate links)

Alternately, you can buy a complete setup like this organic broccoli sprouting kit to get everything you need. (​​Kits are great if you ​don’t want to buy a whole case of jars.)

​To sprout seeds, simply put some seeds in the jar, soak them overnight and then rinse them twice a day. You’ll have sprouts in about 5 days.

Here’s a tutorial, along with a video, that shows you ​how to grow radish sprouts.

Growing Sprouts In Trays

​Besides jars, you can also use trays to sprout your seeds. The ​sprouting process is the same​ (i.e., soaking and then rinsing seeds twice a day). The only difference is that your seeds ​reside in covered trays until they’re ready to eat, which is usually within a few days.

​You might use trays instead of jars because you can grow more food in the same amount of space. I use this stackable sprouter to grow​ three levels of sprouts at the same time.

​​​Here’s a tutorial ​that explains how to grow broccoli sprouts in trays. You can also watch this process in the video below.

Growing Microgreens at Home

Microgreen seeds come in all kinds of varieties and even themes, depending on what you want to eat. For example, you can pick salad mixes, gourmet lettuce blends or choose your own options based on color, health benefits and flavor profiles.

The equipment varies, according to ​what you want to grow and how ​much you’d like to ​produce. ​For instance, ​a soil-free microgreens starter kit includes a ​tray, ​lid, hydroponic grow pad, ​​pH water tester and spray bottle. (I also recommend a grow light if you don’t have a sunny indoor spot.)

Your microgreens are usually ready in a couple of weeks. These seedlings will be anywhere from 1 to 3 inches tall, depending on what you’re growing.

Here’s a specific page (coming soon!) that walks you through an example microgreen sprouting kit setup and demonstrates this growing process in detail.

Note: Microgreens don’t have the same potential health concerns as sprouts because the seeds germinate in growing media, and you’re eating the stems and leaves.

​Different Types of Microgreens

You have ​a huge selection of edible microgreens you can grow. This is just a sampling of microgreens ​to get you started.

• Arugula
• Cilantro
• Swiss Chard
• Corn
• Carrots
• Beets
• Lettuce
• Basil
• Cabbage
• Amaranth

• Sunflower
• Peas
• Broccoli
• Radish
• Kale
• ​Leek
• Kohlrabi
• Nasturtium
• Mustard
• Brussels Sprouts

Check out TrueLeafMarket.com – Microgreens Seeds, Kits & Supplies

How To Store Sprouts and Microgreens In the Refrigerator

​After you harvest your sprouts and/or microgreens, rinse and then dry them using a paper towel or salad spinner.

Put your dry sprouts and microgreens in a plastic bag or container and refrigerate.

If your sprouts and microgreens are still damp, poke a few holes in the bag or don’t completely close the container to allow for better airflow.

​You can also line the bag or container with a paper towel to continue soaking up the moisture.

They are best eaten within 7 days after harvest.

How To Eat Microgreens and Sprouts

Sprouts and microgreens are typically eaten raw. A common way to eat them is in salads, or you can make them the whole salad.

Here are some other ways to enjoy them:

There are endless ways to eat microgreens and sprouts. In my opinion, they taste like their adult counterparts except the flavor is more concentrated. (Cilantro is my fave!)

Indoor Gardening Tips

After producing sprouts and microgreens once or twice, you’ll quickly discover how often you’d like to eat them. The best part is that you can easily start them whenever you’d like because these veggies ​aren’t tied to a specific growing season.

Smaller Harvests
For sprouts, start with one quart jar and see how quickly you and/or your family eat them. (Again, they’re best if eaten within 7 days of harvesting.) Start another jar when you’re about halfway through the first batch of sprouts to keep a constant supply. 

With microgreens, you can start with a mini growing kit ​like this one to see if this works for how you plan to eat them. This will be a small amount, but it’s a quick way to try out microgreens before going on to produce larger batches.

Mini Microgreens Growing Kit on True Leaf Market

Smaller harvests work well if you already grow other foods and just want to supplement what you already have.

This is also an excellent introduction to gardening because you can get some of those quick wins right away. ​When you’re ready, you can grow other foods to maturity — like peppers​ — because you’ll likely be bitten by the gardening bug.

Larger Harvests
Start two sprouting jars at the same time and go from there. Or, use a multi-level sprouting tray to grow more sprouts and/or different varieties at one time. (These trays are great for producing more food, but not taking up additional counter space.)

Stackable Tray Sprout Garden on True Leaf Market

For microgreens, a sectional kit like this is an ideal way to grow multiple varieties at once. You can also start multiple 10 x 20 growing trays if you have the light for them.

Sectional Hydroponic Microgreens Growing Kit on True Leaf Market

Final Thoughts

It’s important to be able to feed your body the way that you choose. Growing your own food gives you the freedom to do this.

When I was initially planning this microgreens and sprouts section, I was doing it because I want to help a lot of people.

For example:

• ​The health conscious person who can’t start a traditional veggie garden (e.g., you’re too busy, don’t have the outdoor space, don’t want to get dirty, etc.)​
• ​Someone who doesn’t live in an area with a good selection of organic produce
• The person who just wants to be more self-sufficient

And, then life happens. At the time of this writing, many of us are staying indoors because of the coronavirus. I thought it was important, now more than ever, to publish this information. (I wish you and your family health and happiness!)

Ultimately, I believe it’s important to bridge the gap between wanting to eat healthy and ​being able to get access to the foods that support that.

I know it can be challenging when you’re just starting out… 

That’s why I hope this beginner-friendly section on how to grow vegetables indoors really helps. Sprouts and microgreens are something everyone can grow right away. (Caution: gardening can be addicting! 😉 )

MORE FROM THE MICROGREENS & SPROUTS SERIES

• ​​How To Grow Vegetables Indoors for Beginners: Sprouts & Microgreens
• How To Grow Radish Sprouts In A Jar (In Just 5 Days!)
• ​How To Grow ​Broccoli Sprouts In Trays ​
• ​How To Microgreens Indoors Without Soil (Coming Soon!)
• How To Microgreens with Coconut Coir (Coming Soon!)