Are there any safety tips we should know about growing sprouts or microgreens?
Not with microgreens, but since sprouts are grown in a closed environment, you have to make sure they are rinsed properly and then refrigerated so that they don’t spoil. Also, it’s very important to buy seeds from a reputable company that sells seeds labeled “For Sprouting.” There have been some instances when people bought packaged sprouts in the store that were contaminated with soil-borne organisms, such as e-coli and salmonella, that cause food poisoning. Reputable companies guard against such contamination. I like Johnny’s Selected Seeds (Winslow, ME, Tel: 207-861-3900) because they sell only organic seed that is tested against contamination. Also, by growing them at home, you can keep a better eye on them. Varieties • Cauliflower: Peppery but mild, 5 to 7 days to harvest, grow in a jar or tray • Bean: Harvest young at 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, 4 days to harvest, grow in a jar or bag • Beet: Earthy flavor, 7 to 10 days to harvest, grow as microgreens in a soil-free mix • Clover: Sligh
