Growing Sprouts for Dogs Instructions
Yields approximately 1 Cup (1/2 lb.) of Sprouts
Seed Prep Measure out 1/2 Cup of seed* Rinse your seeds to remove dust or plant debris.
Soak Transfer your seeds - if necessary - into your Sprouter, or a bowl. Add 2-3 times as much cool (60-70 degree) water. Mix seeds up to assure even water contact for all. Allow seeds to Soak for 8-12 hours.
Sprouting Empty the seeds into your Sprouter (if necessary). Drain off the soak water. You can use it - it has nutrients in it.
Rinse thoroughly with cool (60-70°) water. Drain thoroughly.
Set your Sprouter anywhere out of direct sunlight and at room temperature (70° is optimal) between Rinses. This is where your sprouts do their growing. We use a counter top - in the corner of our kitchen, but where the sprouter won't get knocked over by cats, dogs, kids or us. We don't mind the indirect sunlight or the 150 watts of incandescent light, because light just does not matter much. Your Bean Sprouts will never have leaves, and a plant can only perform photosynthesis when it has leaves. Until then light has little if any effect, so don't hide your sprouts. Plus, sprouts like air-circulation.
Rinse and Drain again in 8-12 hours. And, once more... Rinse and Drain again in 8-12 hours. And, perhaps once more... Rinse and Drain in 8-12 hours.
We stop no later than here. We like our sprouts small, and so do our dogs. Typically, we sprout for just 2-4 Rinse and Drain cycles. We stop at the point when most of the seeds have sprouted tiny (1/16 - 1/4 inch) roots. That's the way we like these Sprouts, and we think the long roots that grow, if you continue sprouting, are not as pleasing to dogs.
Depending on your climate and the time of year you are sprouting and most importantly your personal preference - You may Rinse and Drain again at 8-12 hour intervals for up to 6 days. We Do Not recommend doing so, unless you're doing a science experiment. But, you can grow them for as long as you like - as long as you continue to Rinse and Drain every 8-12 hours. If you grow for a week you'll get some plants growing as well as roots. Experiment! Have Fun! It's All Good - if occasionally inedible @;-D
You can also just Soak 4 Legs of Love, for 8-12 hours, and feed them then. The soaked seeds are already alive and super nutritious - and - they are without enzyme inhibitors (a very good thing indeed!) so they'll digest themselves and nourish your dog.
Harvest Your sprouts are done 8-12 hours after your final Rinse. Be sure to Drain them as thoroughly as possible after that final Rinse. The goal during the final 8-12 hours is to minimize the surface moisture of your sprouts - they will store best in your refrigerator if they are dry to the touch.
Refrigerate Transfer your sprout crop to a plastic bag or the sealed container of your choice and put them in your refrigerator. We offer Produce Storage Bags that will extend shelf life substantially.
*Seed to Use
* If using Sproutpeople's Single Harvest Pack - use the whole bag. It will produce a crop of approximately 8 ounces.
These seeds yield approximately 3:1 - so in theory you can start with up to 1/3 as much dry seed as your Sprouter has capacity. If you are new to sprouting, or new to this crop; we advise that you start with no more than 1/4 of your Sprouter's capacity so that your sprouts have more room - at least until you are familiar with this crop.
