How to growing alfalfa sprouts. At this point, soak the seeds in plain water over night. Before we start, its important you know that health experts dont recommend sprouts for people they consider at high-risk for food poisoning: For people that belong to these groups, health officials suggest youavoid eating raw sprouts. The fertilizer soak should come after a warm-water treatment, but can be either before or after a soak in . Dismantle Your AeroGarden. 153 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<61498639DD2F394D856945E1F62B315E>]/Index[129 49]/Info 128 0 R/Length 112/Prev 165206/Root 130 0 R/Size 178/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream A safer method for Echinacea germination would be to dilute down to 1/8th (0.00375 % H2O2) dilution and soak for 12-24 hours similar what Andrew mentioned above in his 1/16th dilution. Drain and rinse your sprouts thoroughly after using any type of solution. Add about 3 inches of cool, fresh water and let the seeds soak 8-12 hours. Then replace the trays on top of the base. 3.Add seeds to the disinfectant solution (1 pound of seeds per 4 quarts of disinfectant solution) and agitate for 1 minute. Plant pathogens like bacteria, fungi and viruses cause diseases that can kill plants. It's seems obvious but we'll say it anyway; you need to start with clean supplies: Water it is absolutely necessary to ensure you have a clean water supply; if you're not sure that your tap water is clean use a filter or bottled water. Have a look at How Vinegar Improves Seed Germination! Drain and rinse until you no longer smell vinegar. Vinegar is a viable solution for more challenging seeds, such as Okra, Eggplant, Beans, and Melons. Vinegar only works. Go sprout! Homesteading | Self Sufficient Living | Living off the Land, 20 Comments | Jill Winger | Last Updated: March 17, 2018. Apple cider vinegar. What do I do if there's mold on my sprouts? Ive been like that for as long as I can rememberIf we had something on the calendar growing up, it was gonna happen. The appearance of roots can sometimes surprise us, because they're usually underground where we can't see their complex structure! Monitor room temperature and humidity JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. After thoroughly rinsing your trays, spray them down with a diluted vinegar solution. But waitbefore you throw out your sprout seeds, make sure you know thedifference between mold vs. normal root hairs. However, like most fresh greens, theyrebest used with two or three days. They do this by being exposed to light and moisture. Now I know how to disinfect my seed trays! Haga clic aqui para mas informacion equipo o contactenos. Next, till your soil to break up clumps. If youve rinsed your sprouts well, its vital to allow your sprouts to drain completely afterwards. All comments are moderated before being published. Sprouting seeds are designed to sprout or have high rates of germination. 2. on occasions that it feels necessary to disinfect seeds i will use HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. Add a 3-4-inch layer of mulch below the feeders, then turn the mulch to bury debris where it can decompose out of sight. Getting your seeds for sprouting at the grocery store. Scraping it off just helps to get rid of it faster. There are other methods of sanitizing that can be researched and applied to your own. For the more technical-minded, damping off is a disease of seedlings caused most commonly by fungus or mold. Optional sanitization of seeds during the initial soak 3. A disinfected seed is safe from fungal infection and molds. This website uses cookies to ensure you receive the best experience. Dried seeds are in a dormant state. While some may scoff at the thought of having to buy organic, having a certified organic label means the seed producer has done their homework (earning this label is no easy feat). The standard white. Thats when I learned about using Hydrogen Peroxide. I havent touched a plant in months. What a great post! Even so, some of the tiniest seeds may fall through. Then, take a cheesecloth. Although disinfecting seed is not necessary for sprouting, we recommend disinfecting your seeds prior to sprouting, because if not properly disinfected, all seeds have the possibility of carrying foodborne pathogens. If you soak it in bleach you will probably eat the bleach won't you? 2023 Balcony Garden Web | All rights reserved. We do this rarely in our home Sprouters, but when we grew professionally we sterilized in between EVERY CROP (and we used a high bleach concentration). Any/all of the links on RusticWise.com may be affiliate links from which we receive a small commission from sales of certain items. Soak the seeds in this solution overnight (not more than 12 hours). Methods Hydrogen Peroxide: Add 5oz of 3% hydrogen peroxide (1oz if using 35% peroxide) and 1oz of vinegar to 33oz of room temperature water. As long as your sprouts are growing well yourSprouter is clean. "KLH,6*F_jq7bV1VdM9fjC.1a{fe1+qq]R2"Qi%5k3](aUD"x+c|Y\2\LO$};_tY$<=}W;!0x/IY=YUyU5:bV={h_-Zj0B9GM9lOyl+SHo{O~E5n&JMcH`v5-Z7qJ!/jH?3i]lYr@47y"2n9 Dt>?+a`BEhz9 j Im inspired to do something similar for my site (that is, if you dont mind me running off with your idea!) white vinegar) can act as a disinfectant that can destroy some bacteria and viruses. When it comes to seed propagation, you must consider many factors. Heres how to grow lentil sprouts, a sprouted legume rich in protein, fiber, and nutrients. FYI a sprinkle of ground cinnamon on the soil after planting your seeds will prevent the fungus which causes damping off. So I got this little alfalfa sprouting kit thing for my birthday and it says I need to soak the seeds (alfalfa, mung bean that sort of thing) in a 2% bleach solution for 15 minutes then rinse thoroughly.. Is this necessary? Place your seeds in the strainer and lower them into. Wash your sprouter well between crops. What the heck? basically once exposed to air the extra molecule flies away and leaves the hydrogen peroxide turning it into water. Enter your best email for instant access! Let pots dry completely. The Internet has such a fascination with bleach, but I cant stand the stuff. Then, water the soil thoroughly. Thankfully, hydrogen peroxide comes to the rescue. With a few of our Sprouters (SproutMaster for example) you may need to poke some seeds out of some tight places. All that you really need to know is noted on the Sprouter information pages, but we will put it here too. Hablas espanol? When you soak seeds with upto 5% acetic acid formula. All times above are in ranch (not your local) time. Step 3 - Repeat Step 2 every few hours, or at least twice daily. This should be enough food grade "cleaning solution" to prep 4 standard 1020 trays of sunflower, wheatgrass, or pea shoot seeds. Mung bean sprouts - any experience in growing them? Rob Wick, Sprouters Journal of the ISGA, Spring 1999). Cook sprouts thoroughly to reduce the risk of illness. Weve got the answers! Heres how to grow clover sprouts. Use good quality seeds 2. When you sprout at home, they can also be some of the cleanest food produced. How to soak and sprout nuts and most seeds. b) Soak the seeds to be sprouted in undiluted store-bought vinegar for 15 minutes. Read More At What Temperature Do Microgreens Need To Grow Healthy and Strong?Continue. Also, germinating seeds need a good amount of oxygen, so their metabolism is quick. Here we serve you the best and informative gardening ideas, creative DIY's and limited space gardening tips and tricks. Step-By-Step Guide to The Cleaning Process. Also, leaving your seed trays to dry in the sun for a while is another way to kill off any bad stuff that may be lingering inside. Tagged as disinfecting seeds for sprouting, growing sprouts, nutritional value of sprouts, recipe for sprouts, seeds to sprout, sprouter. How is it that you think bleach is a nasty chemical but hydrogen peroxide is not?? I bought a sprouter and seeds and took them home for a test-drive to share with you. I used a bit of my #1 favorite natural cleaning concentrate in the entire universe for this part, On Guard Cleaning Concentrate. Storage: Properly stored, fresh sprouts will keep for up to 6 weeks in your refrigerator but fresher is better. "Vinegar does have disinfectant activity," Alan Taege, MD, infectious disease expert at the Cleveland Clinic. This concentrate, by itself, will likely eliminate most of the issues that cause damping off, so I figure using it alongside hydrogen peroxide is the perfect one-two punch. Sometimes it affects just a handful of your seeds, while other times it can wipe out entire trays of fledgling plants. The main sources of these illnesses were E. Coli 0157 and salmonella, common causes of many food-borne illnesses. Whether youre a seasoned sprout grower, or looking to get started, its always a good idea to take a closer look at sprout safety. Not surprisingly, the most common way people disinfect or sterilize seed starting equipment is with bleach. When rinsing, ensure all sprouts get their fair share of water. White or acv, try both in Two different cups. This is anoptionalstep you can take if youd like to eliminate any chances of harmful bacteria on your seeds. If it is hotter than that, fewer seeds will germinate. Most homegrown sprouts aregood up to one weekwhen properly stored and refrigerated. What about vinegar? Perhaps youve seen them, been interested, but were unsure how they work. Read More How To Sprout Farro at Home: A Tasty and Nutty Ancient GrainContinue. Transfer the seeds to a sprouting vessel and place in a dark, well-ventilated space. UMass Extension Floriculture Water Quality Project: I. Salinity, Sodium and Chloride. When you soak seeds with upto 5% acetic acid formula white vinegar, the seeds usually germinate in a much shorter span. When you cook or boil sprouts thoroughly, it kills bacteria; it also alters the texture and nutritional content of the sprouts. Store sprouts in a container with air holes, such as a perforated plastic bag, or container with ventilation. I HAD to do something so I could pretend I was gardening. Pour 2 cups of water through the water-diffusing lid then empty the base. Rinse seeds thoroughly with cool water until you not longer smell bleach or vinegar. Eat More Sprouts! our prior sprout guidances and our May 2009 letter to suppliers and distributors of seed for sprouting and sprout operations (Ref. People with weakened immune systems the elderly, children and those with compromised immune systems should avoid eating all types of raw sprouts. This recommendation is likely based on fear of litigation . Drain sprouts thoroughly 7. I use Dr. Bronners 18-1 Hemp Eucalyptus Pure Castile Soap for EVERYTHING. Apart from the smell, it is an effective alternative to bleach and has the benefit of being antifungal as well so it can be used to treat root rot. You can also try the paper towel method for quick germination. Great post, Jill. Be the first to hear about deals, new products, emergency prep tips, and more. As with most types of sprouting trays, some of the roots, seeds, or seed hulls may get lodged in the drainage slits. Seeds are surface sterilized with bleach solution (30% commercial bleach + 0.02% Triton X-100) for 15 min, washed 3 times with sterile water, and placed at 4C overnight prior to plating. See our fullprivacy policy here. If you wish to consume sprouts,cook them thoroughly first. 4.Prepare fresh disinfectant solution for each batch of seeds to be treated. What is the ratio of Peroxide and water for disinfecting? If any of these are not right, the seeds will fail to germinate. If you have a generator, its cheap and very effective. You can either pour a small amount of vinegar to your cleaning rag, or dip your rag into it if you have a bowl handy, and gently rub the dirt away. 4. Well, I pretty much had a meltdown. Your email address will not be published. Be Prepared - Emergency EssentialsPowered by Shopify. Bingo. So starting with less-than-filthy supplies will ensure your disinfectant is actually cleaning your pots and trays, not cleaning the dirt. Yeah, I know I was wondering the same thing. oUS EPA has approved 2% chlorine from Calcium Hypochlorite as a seed sanitation method before sprouting. Well show you how to kill bacteria on sprouts throughout the sprouting process from seed to plate. A common question many people ask when first starting out is, Do I have to buy special sprouting seeds? Yes, we highly recommend it! Sprouts are one of the most complete and nutritional of all foods that exist. The initial soak is a vital part of the sprouting process. Drain the seeds and spread the them into the sections of the sprouter. I like that spray bottle top on the hydrogen peroxide! Roots naturally grow downwards and naturally seek out the slits because they are looking for the path of least resistance. Refer to the chart above for sprouting times. When sprouting for myself, I've never bleached the seeds. Microbial contamination of sprouts by Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157 : H7 has been a common cause of foodborne diseases and a continuing challenge to the sprout industry. And then said seedling shrivels and DIES with no explanation. michael klaper fasting; rising sign calculator Menu Toggle. (After reading about contamination of seeds being the main source of food poisoning, why take any chances?) Is this normal? You may need to soak everything in a bit of water if any soil is dried on and super crusty. Truth be told, I dont always disinfect my seedling flats, pots, cups, or trays. Use of Bleach Or Vinegar Bath. Rinse seeds for a minute under room temperature water and discard peroxide solution. It is important to maintain this temperature using a clean, accurate cooking thermometer. Required fields are marked *. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. (The tiniest seeds wanted to stick in the jar and all over my fingers as I scraped them outdont worry if you dont get them all in the sprouter.) Easily available, cheap, and much less stinky. Thanks everyone! Follow directions on package. I just wonder whether using baking powder mixed with vinegar and lemon would also work as a good disinfectant? Dont judge.) This can be either a pantry with a door or a kitchen cabinet. What temperature do microgreens need to grow healthy and strong? Optional sanitization of seeds during the initial soak, 9. 00:00 00:00 An unknown error has occurred Brought to you by LeafTV References Writer Bio Check out our article onreasons why your sprouts smell bad. Rinse seeds thoroughly with cool water until you not longer smell bleach or vinegar. Tags: Baby steps , Food storage , Sprouts Previous article Next article Lets just say its a blessing and a curse. Wash Everything Well Before Storing It Its cheap insurance to prevent big issues like damping off, which can be borderline devastating when youre anxious to get your seeds rolling. Rinsing your seed with potable water prior to sanitizing gives the sanitizer a better chance of attacking any organic matter left on the seed. Most regular seeds are irradiated or treated. It is an aqueous liquid that contains about 5-8% of acetic acid. Eating raw or undercooked sprouts may lead to food poisoning. Rinse out water, shaking well to get out any excess water. In general, sprouts will be ready to eat within 210 days after you start the sprouting process, read your seed packet for guidance. The most simple and effective way to disinfect 1 heaping tablespoon of sprout seeds is to use either 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar or 1 teaspoon bleach, per 1 cup hot water. Stir well to dissolve the salt. 5.Rinse the seeds in a cold water bath for 5 minutes to remove residual disinfectant. Replace the bottom and wait a little bit, then drain off the excess water. A study was done at the Capiz State University, Capiz, Philippines. If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a twice-daily rinse keeps the mold on sprouts at bay. 129 0 obj <> endobj At home you will have a minimal risk of such things with normal kitchen habits . Allow the medium to sit in the mixture overnight. Two days later, your sprouts will look like this: And after 6 days, youll have sprouts you can enjoy! Basically you should sterilize your Sprouter as often as you can. Whatever you use to clean your Sprouter, be sure to rinse it all out before starting your next crop. If you want to know all the details of our laundry room washtub sink. An equal mix of lime juice and vinegar was as effective in reducing bacterial numbers as a mixture containing sodium hypochlorite, the sterilizing chemical used in babies' bottles, and lactic. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Rinse twice a day through the diffusing lid with the bottom off. AeroGarden Reassembling. of bleach per pint of water is good and strong according to the FDA and local Health Department.) Step 1: Wipe the loose dirt out of the plant tray inserts and cell trays using a paper towel or small cleaning brush. Most beans are eaten just as or even before the roots have emerged, while other seeds can be allowed to grow longer. To put it in perspective, the bleach dilution recommended for cleaning up spills of bodily fluids (like vomit or diarrhea) or disinfecting hospitals with Clodstridium difficile infection is only 5000ppm. Applying high standards of cleanliness when growing sprouts ensures youll get a healthy batch of fresh sprouts. Finally, soak the seeds overnight, making sure to drain off the water. To ensure you are purchasing the safest possible sprouting seeds, a sample from each lot we receive is sent to an independent laboratory where it must test negative for foodborne pathogens including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, Listeria, and Staphococcus aureus (staph). We have been sprouting alfalfa for over 30 years . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Balcony Garden Web is all about gardening. For every 4 cups of raw seeds or nuts, cover with room temperature, filtered water by two inches, and 2 tsp. Day 2: In the morning, drain all of the water out of the jar through the cheesecloth (so that you do not lose the seeds). Never once used bleach and never got sick . Cover the top of the jar with a double layer of cheesecloth that has been secured by the jar rim. The slits were made to be very small while still allowing drainage and air circulation. I was hoping theyd show some color, and perhaps they would if I had them in brighter light. This is the first year Im doing that instead of buying nursery plants. Finally, cover your soil with a clear plastic sheet, and weigh it down with rocks. Vinegar is a household staple that everyone uses to cook. Rinse using cool water, never hot water. I think I will proceed without the bleach. There are many methods of seed preparation ranging from rinsing with hot water or soaking in hot hydrogen peroxide, to washing with vinegar, a diluted bleach solution, or grapefruit seed extract. It is an aqueous liquid that contains about 5-8% of acetic acid. Locate the tabs on the underside of the deck and push the tabs inward and down. Acetic acid helps certain seeds to germinate faster and allows the outer layer to break down for speedy growth. It says, if not disinfected, there is a possibility that the seeds could be carrying E. coli bacteria or other pathogens? Do not use bleach solutions or other disinfecting products on fruits and vegetables. These white roots are natural and are not mold or fungus. Read More How Much Microgreens To Eat Per Day?Continue. then when I plant them it goes into the ground to break down into the environment. Whatever works for you is fine. Transplanting Plugs and Grouping Plants. As soaking and rinsing is such an important part of the sprouting process,ensure you use clean water thats of drinking quality. I dont really have a ratio I just spray the peroxide on straight to the rinsed trays, I stopped using plastic to start my plants. Trash any leftover bird feed, then disassemble the feeder Clean with soap and water, then follow with a stronger cleaning solution Dry your feeder Wash your hands Rake under your feeder About your. https://draxe.com/dangers-of-bleach/. Step 4 - In 1-4 days, your sprouted grain, nut, bean or seed should be ready. This helps you minimize the risk of foodborne pathogens from developing in the first place by practicing good cleanliness, using quality seeds, and ensuring theres adequate airflow. Clean The Pump Filter. It's also perfect for seed sanitation. Discard the hydrogen peroxide solution and do not reuse. %PDF-1.5 % Learn how your comment data is processed. When it comes to microgreens, everyone wants more! Bleach is not really edible. You can also use colloidal silver for the final spray. Put seeds in a small mesh strainer and lower them completely into the solution for 5 minutes, swirling every minute or so to ensure all seeds make contact with the peroxide. The current recommendation to use in the home from the University of California-Davis is to treat seed by heating on a stove for 5 minutes in a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide (available in grocery stores) at 140F. Well show you how. All Rights Reserved. Then, do some research to find soil recycling services in your area. It is an aqueous liquid that contains about 5-8% of acetic acid. Here's how I disinfect my seed trays the natural way- no nasty bleach required: Step One: Shake out any residual soil from the seed trays and flats. Grow More Often! Like this tiny ad: Epigenetics and Seed Saving: Breeding Resilient, Locally Adapted Plants by Alan Booker. Cooking kills the bacteria so you can enjoy them in cooked dishes. They have the means to sterilize soil completely, so it's safe to reuse. Read More How To Grow Clover Sprouts: A Mild and Wholesome GreenContinue. Exceeding this temperature may damage or kill seeds resulting in poor germination. 1:1 Diluted vinegar is safe for use in disinfecting a hydroponics system. And if it didnt? Seeds from certified organic suppliers are alsonot genetically modified (non-GMO). TheU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)states that the likely source of most foodborne outbreaks weredue to contaminated seeds. This also enables the developing seedlings to absorb any nutrients that are added during the germination process. The right temperature can speed up germination. Steaming is considered one of the best ways to sterilize potting soil and should be done for at least 30 minutes or until the temperature reaches 180 degrees F. (82 C.). Its also vital to use water thats of drinking quality to rinse your sprouts. Please dont take the chance of getting food poisoning or severe illness. We might even be selling something by now. Now, if youve come here to read about sprout safety, youve probably heard the warnings about foodborne illnesses linked to sprouts. Make sure all of the seed is in contact with the solution. Rinse Your Sprouts Frequently. You have entered an incorrect email address! Plant the seeds your usual way the next day after soaking. Great timely article. Poor planning for the win, I suppose. Cook or boil to further kill bacteria on sprouts. To do this, pour boiling water into the containers, saturating the soil completely. Sanitization of the Bowl. Drain and rinse until you no longer smell vinegar. I was so afraid of having a bacteria grow that I didnt do it. The slits in the tray allow for water drainage and air circulation that is important for healthy root development. What about growing your own sprouts at homeis it safe? Remove all dirt and/or soil remnants from each pot. Store calls: 800-486-2647. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and let the solution sit on the trays for about 10 minutes before thoroughly rinsing. Pour over, mix thoroughly, and let stand 10-20 minutes. While buying organic is completely up to you, this extra measure just ensures the food youre growing at home (and eventually putting on your plate), is held to a higher standard. hbbd```b``z"[ f`#`dy&W`v6X2$c3"Mn (Radish and broccoli are good examples.) Who's considered a high-risk individual? Office Address1175 South Meridian Park Road Suite B,Salt Lake City, UT 84104Note: This is not a retail store. endstream endobj 130 0 obj <>/Metadata 9 0 R/PageLayout/OneColumn/Pages 127 0 R/StructTreeRoot 30 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 131 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Type/Page>> endobj 132 0 obj <>stream Soaking your seed cloves in a diluted solution of fertilizer stimulates that root growth. oTake Care not to add water to calcium hypochlorite make sure to add calcium hypochlorite to water when mixing the solution. and then scrubbing thoroughly. I never use bleach in or around my home. New for this season, Mt. When you initially soak the seeds, youre kickstarting the sprouting process and coaxing seeds out of their dormancy. Spray the trays, flats, cups, or whatever with a generous spritz of hydrogen peroxide, then let everything sit for 20 minutes. It may be used as a rinse to clean sprouts just prior to their use. Vinegar has served as a traditional surface disinfectant for centuries. Cooking sprouts before eating helps to kill harmful bacteria and reduce the chance of foodborne diseases. However, its a messy task thatd be better suited for a warm spring day where you can use a big plastic tub outside, or something along those linesespecially if you have a lot of trays. Keep household humidity levels between 3050 percent. Thank you! By accessing or using any page on RusticWise.com, you agree that you have read, understood, and will abide by the: Privacy & Cookie Policy | Terms | Affiliate Disclosure. Treated seeds may have a coating of harmful chemicals or pesticidesstuff you dont want to come in contact with your sprouts. Wipe Down. when your children are suffering from your punishment, tell them it will help them write good poetry when they are older. Use clean, sanitized containers that do not have cracks, hard to clean crevices or scratches. lol. Vinegar is a household staple that everyone uses to cook. It'll help with the sprouting process and ensure your broccoli. Unlike bleach, hydrogen peroxide takes off any bacteria without damaging the seed itself. Do this a few times. Its a good idea to do this if your seeds are not organic, or if youre using seeds that arent specific to sprouting. Josh is co-founder of RusticWise. (And Lord knows we are). Soak the broccoli seeds overnight in a small bowl with filtered water. To be honest, we dont typically do this step as were working with good seeds. Call (888) 579-6849. disinfecting sprout seeds with vinegar. Science . That's because the warm, humid conditions needed to grow sprouts are . So I decided to give my seed trays and flats a good scrub and disinfecting, which is how this blog post was born. I was determined, yall. But if mold starts to grow, then it's time to ventilate them. The following 2 procedures are the most recognized with in the sprout growing community. So.. does that mean 5% pickling vinegar would work initself? 6.Spread seeds evenly on clean paper towels or a Soak growing medium such as sand or soil in a 3-6% solution of hydrogen peroxide. How To Sprout Farro at Home: A Tasty and Nutty Ancient Grain, How To Grow Lentil Sprouts: Quick and Tasty, How To Grow Clover Sprouts: A Mild and Wholesome Green, 10 effective ways to kill bacteria on sprouts from seed to plate, 2. Since then the FDA has drafted legislation to ensure higher standards of food safety. It was found that the application of vinegar with 0.001% concentration is effective in the germination of seeds. Pretty easy, eh? This food should not be soaked in the vinegar, as it will alter the taste and make the sprouts soggy. Seeds from a reputable supplier are also prewashed or tested toeliminate harmful pathogens such as E. coli, salmonella, or listeria. "Vinegar is. Step Two: Scrub the trays and containers with warm, soapy water. 177 0 obj <>stream Seeds with hard seed coats can stand 3% H2O2 for limited periods of time. If the divider is placed properly, it will go all the way to the bottom of the tray and prevent seeds from mixing. It weirds me out. You can spray with the vineg Place your sprouts in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Soak 1 TBSP of seed in the disinfecting solution for 10-15 minutes. Im a newbie gardener so posts like this are really beneficial to me since I know basically nothing. Yup, just plain old, drugstore-strength, 3% hydrogen peroxide. And approximately 2 cups of potting soil. A large part of growing safe sprouts is keeping things cleaneverything from your hands, sprouting equipment, to the seeds themselves. I couldnt wait to get my hands in the dirt also, so I started growing microgreens and baby lettuce indoors. Stick with a twice-daily (or more, depending on the type of seeds youre sprouting) rinsing schedule every morning and evening. Hydrogen peroxide is not only used to disinfect microgreen trays and soil. You may need to soak everything in a bit of water if any soil is dried on and super crusty. The most simple and effective way to disinfect 1 heaping tablespoon of sprout seeds is to use either 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar or 1 teaspoon bleach, per 1 cup hot water. :@U@Lg`j~` Lm Spread the seeds back out and set them in direct sunlight. First, disinfect the outside of your seeds with a bleach solution, as suggested on the back of the sprouting seeds packet, or use a solution of 2 TBSP cider vinegar in one cup of water. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas before preparing or eating. The Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on Seed Germination Soak your seeds in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes. Theyve had to go through stringent protocols. It should be a solution of one teaspoon in about a cup of water for the seed soak.