Organic Hemp Bag Sprouter

Hemp Bag Sprouting Instructions

Specific Sprouting Instructions are found on the page devoted to the Seed or Mix you are interested in. Below are the specifics of the Hemp Bag

Seed Prep

Since the Hemp Bag drains so well, it is a very good device for cleaning your seeds prior to soaking. You can rinse through the open top of the Bag or through the sides. Water passes through this Bag as if it weren't there! Just run water through until the water runs clear.

If you are using the Hemp Bag only as a Seed Prep device, and sprouting in a different device; the transferring of the seeds can be a bit of a hassle. Big seeds (Beans, Grains, some Nuts, etc.) won't be much of a problem, but small seeds (Alfalfa, Broccoli, Radish, etc.) will probably be annoying enough to transfer that you should find another Prep device or go all the way with the Bag.

Soaking

After Prep you can either remove your seeds to a bowl or similar water holding unit, or you can submerge your Bag with the seeds inside it in a large water holding unit - like a pot. If you Soak your seeds while in the Bag, be sure they are all under water so that they can Soak properly.

Use cool (60 - 70°) water unless instructed otherwise by your seed supplier (us we hope =;-) and leave to Soak for 8 - 12 hours - or for the time noted on the detailed instruction page for the seed or mix you are sprouting.

Rinsing

You can Rinse through the open top of the Bag or through the sides. Water passes through this Bag as if it weren't there! Just run water through until the water runs clear. As an average we will run water through for about 15-20 seconds at every Rinse, but there is no hard rule. Always use cool (60 - 70°) water unless specifically instructed otherwise by your seed supplier.

Remember the rule of Bag Sprouting: Rinse More Often!

Sprouting

Hang your Bag up in a place where it can drip. We have a cabinet right above our sink and we hang our Hemp Bag on it's knob. That is perfect! Between Rinses is when your sprouts really grow. We like a room-temperature (70° is always optimal) spot with no direct sunlight.

Draining

If you hang your Bag you don't have to Drain at all, gravity will do it for you! As previously stated; Bag sprouters do not retain moisture as well as other sprouters, so though you don't have to Drain you do need to: Rinse More Often!

Greening

We always suggest a low-light, 70° location for your sprouter, until it is time for Greening (if you are growing sprouts that green (anything that grows a leaf - like Leafy or Brassica sprouts). At that point we often say: Move your sprouter to a brighter location (or words to that affect), and though we always say to avoid direct sunlight, we will remind you that if you do so with a Bag - it will very quickly dry your sprouts. So if you are Greening sprouts in a Bag, don't move them to a too bright a location, but rather, meditate on that other thing we say: You'll be amazed at how little light it takes to turn your sprouts green!

De-Hulling, Harvest and Crop Storage

If you are growing Leafy or Brassica sprouts, you can use our De-Huller to remove any remaining hulls, and dry your crop at Harvest time.

Before Harvesting any crop, it is essential that you Drain it Very Thoroughly after your final Rinse. Storing crops that are dry to the touch, maximizes their shelf life. This final Draining, when growing in a Bag - is easy! The Hemp Bag's fast drying alone, may shorten our recommended 8-12 hour wait before refrigerating your crop, but to take it to the next leve: Use your Hemp Bag for the ultimate Drain - hold tight the hemp rope that ties the top and pretend the Bag is an old-fashioned slingshot (like David's) - or that you are a centrifuge. Using full arm extension swing the Bag as fast as you can around and around - but don't let go. You might want to do this out of doors as a great deal of water can be released with this method. You can enjoy this unique sprouting experience even if you grew your crop in another sprouter - just transfer it to the Hemp Bag for this final Drain.

Do not Store Your Crop in a Hemp Bag. Though they can actually be good for produce storage, sprouts are too fine - so they'll dry out in your refrigerator. You should transfer them to a plastic bag, or our really great Produce Storage Bags, that actually extend shelf life of sprouts and other produce by allowing ethylene gas to escape. You don't really need those if you're going to eat your crop in short order. Whatever you are happy storing your crops in is fine, and fine with us.

Seed Specific Sprouting Instructions If you have a particular seed type in mind, read on to discover further details of Bag Sprouting that seed type. Refer to the seed's main information page for detailed instructions.

The Hemp Bag is possibly the easiest of all sprouters! The sprouting method is the same with all seeds and the growing method is the same with all Micro-Greens:

To Soak, you can either Soak your seeds in a bowl (or similar water holding equipment), or you can submerge your Hemp Bag - with the seeds in it - in a large water holding unit - like a pot. As long as your seeds are all under water you will succeed. To Rinse, either open the top or Rinse through the sides of the bag - or both. Water passes through the Hemp Bag as if it weren't even there. I generally open the top. To Drain, just hang the bag up above your sink - or on the faucet, and it will Drain itself. I'm a conflicted person in some respects, so please forgive me if I told you elsewhere on the site; to Drain differently. Really - a little shaking and twirling before hanging is a good idea, now that I think about it @;~) The only detail unique to the Hemp Bag (and all other Bag sprouters) is that they dry out and so...... yup you guessed it: you Rinse More Often! The extra Rinses are more important with small seeds, but you can usually get away with just 2 Rinses when growing big seeds, though extra Rinses can't hurt. The Hemp Bag's fast drying can be used to advantage: Transfer sprouts grown in other sprouters to the Hemp Bag for, or after their final Rinse. Not only will they dry faster - likely shortening the 8-12 hour wait before refrigeration, you can also hasten the process by using your Hemp Bag for the ultimate Drain - hold tight the hemp rope that ties the top and pretend the Bag is David's biblical slingshot or that you are a centrifuge. Using full arm extension swing the Bag as fast as you can around and around - but don't let go. You might want to do this out of doors as a great deal of water can be released with this method.

Sprouting Capacity = 1 Quart (1 Liter)

Beans

The instructions on the Seed Information page will give you all you need. The ONLY Bag specific point to factor in is: Rinse More Often!

Maximum dry seed to Soak is 2 cups - that much will fill the Bag with sprouts.

Mung Bean

For small sweet Mung sprouts follow the instructions on the Mung information page and Rinse More Often!

Maximum dry seed to Soak is 2 cups - that will fill the Bag.

Brassicas

These need to move while sprouting or they will form a root mass which is at least unpleasant and often lessens the sprouts' quality. Often by day 3 or 4, your sprouts will need to be separated to keep this mass at bay. So take a fork or use your (clean) hands to loosen them up. Alternately, you can transfer the sprouts to a container that holds water (a pot for example), fill it with water, use the fork or hand - it is often easier to break up the mass while they are in water. Keep breaking up the sprout mass every rinse or two. Rinse More Often!

Maximum dry seed to Soak is 4 Tablespoons.

Leafy Sprouts

One issue folks have with Leafy sprouts is that they expect them to be green. There are almost always - regardless of the sprouting method - some sprouts which will not turn green. Our advice is: Live with it! Most will green if you don't over-crowd the sprouter (use 2 Tbs. or less of seed per quart of sprouter) - and those that don't are still plenty delicious, nutritious and they add beauty (yellow goes well with green and white!). These also will do better if they are allowed to move freely, so break up the mass on day 4 and 5. It is not a critical issue with the Leafy Sprouts, but it does have the added benefit of allowing hulls to float away, if you break them apart while submerged in water.

Maximum dry seed to Soak is 3 Tablespoons.

Exotics

Rinse more often - and for a longer period of time - if you are growing the Alliums (Garlic, Onion) - these seeds require a couple weeks to finish, so you'll need to pay attention to keeping them properly moist over a longer period. For Dill - moisture is a different story, but it will also need that much time. The other seeds and mixes in this category (Fenugreek, Sweet Pea etc.) could just as easily be in the "Perfect Match" category, except the Mother's Mix which is basically a Leafy Sprout, so for that one, look up an inch or two.

Maximum dry seed to Soak varies depending on seed/mix. See detailed information page for specifics.

Grains

The instructions on the detailed Seed Information pages will give you all you need. The ONLY Bag specific point to factor in is: Rinse More Often!

Maximum dry seed to Soak is 2.75 cups - that will fill the Bag with sprouts.

Nuts and Seeds

The instructions on the Seed Information page will give you all you need. Sprouting Hulled Sunflower, Peanuts and Almond are all perfect for the Hemp Bag because they require so few Rinses that you won't even have to Rinse more often!

Maximum dry seed to Soak is 2.5 cups - that will fill the Bag.

Grass and Greens

Great for Pre-Sprouting! Full grown Grass or Big Greens just should not be done with our Hemp Bag sprouter - their roots could damage the bag. They're relatively big roots.

Critter Sprouts

Whether you're growing A Bird Mix or 4 Legs of Love - they require no additional information. Everything you need to know is on the mix' detailed instruction page.

Maximum dry seed to Soak is 2 cups - that will fill the Bag.

Micro-Greens

The detailed seed information page for the seed or mix you are growing will have detailed growing instructions. Here is the Hemp Bag method:

•Soak and/or Pre-Sprout if necessary - do not Soak straight Mucilaginous seeds! See the seed's detailed information page before you start!

•Lay the bag flat on a plate or in something like a baking pan - something in which it the whole Bag fits.

•Wet the Bag thoroughly.

•Spread seeds on Bag - don't crowd them, they want some room to breathe.

•You may cover that in which the Bag is laying during the 1st couple days to help retain moisture. Be sure to uncover when the Micro-Greens begin to grow. Covering is optional but we suggest that you experiment with covering to see what works best for you - in your climate and with the particular seeds you are growing. The most important factor is........

•Keep the bag moist (not so soaked that the seeds drown, just thoroughly moist).

You'll have a great crop of Micro-Greens in a week or three - depending on what crop you are growing and to some degree; your climate. Cut them off with a scissors and enjoy the ultimate gourmet vegetable. Cleaning the bag is easier if you pull the roots out as soon as you harvest your crop. Experiment and learn =:-}