How to grow radish sprouts: it's that easy

16.05.2021 / Reading time: 5 minutes

Radishes have the advantage of being a fast-germinating plant. Just like their close relative, the radish, the seedlings of these cruciferous plants are tasty and very healthy. The seeds have an anti-inflammatory and antibiotic effect. This is due to the valuable mustard oils that give radishes and their sprouts their pungent taste. You can find instructions on how to grow radish sprouts yourself in this article.

This article contains:

Growing your own radish sprouts in a jar
Do-it-yourself: make your own germination jar
How long do radish sprouts last?
Excursus: Radish as a medicinal plant
Frequently asked questions about growing sprouts

Quick Overview

Grow your own radish sprouts correctly

What you need: organic seeds intended for sprout cultivation and a germination jar (alternatively, sowing on hemp mats is also possible)

This is how it works:

Soak one to two tablespoons of seeds in cold water for 12 hours
Fill them into the germination jar, alternatively you can wrap the seeds in a cloth
Water the seeds at least twice a day
After 3 to 5 days, the radish sprouts will be germinated and ready to eat

Growing your own radish sprouts in a jar

To grow your own radish sprouts, all you need are seeds and a sprouting jar. When growing sprouts in particular, it is important to use organic seeds to avoid ingesting residues of harmful chemicals. Not every seed is suitable. When buying seeds, make sure that they are explicitly intended for growing sprouts.

Instructions for growing sprouts

Soak your seeds in cold water for about 12 hours. Don't use too many at once: one or two tablespoons are sufficient for growing sprouts. Then fill them into your germination jar. Alternatively, you can wrap the seeds in a damp kitchen towel, which works just as well. Now you need to water the radish seeds well several times a day (at least twice). The small seeds need a lot of moisture to germinate successfully. It is important that the water can always drain well and that the seeds are not lying in the water. Then it will happen very quickly and after 3 to 5 days you can enjoy your own sprouts. Wash them thoroughly before eating. After each germination, you should clean your sprouting jar thoroughly with hot water or in the dishwasher.

Radish sprouts on hemp mats — Radish sprouts germinate very quickly. You can also mix them with other seeds such as alfalfa, broccoli or rocket. Sowing on hemp mats is also possible instead of in a germination jar.

Do-it-yourself: make your own germination jar

A germination jar has the advantage that excess water can always drain away easily. If you don't have one at home, you can easily make one yourself in just a few steps. A large screw-top jar is suitable for this. Make small holes in the lid with a nail so that the water can flow through easily. The lid should be made of plastic, not metal, as this can rust and reduce the quality of the sprouts. Your own sprouting jar is now ready for use.

Exchange knowledge with fellow gardeners

If you want to exchange ideas with other gardeners and benefit from their experience, you can visit our Fryd community. You'll find lots of DIY tips and you can share your ideas.

How long do radish sprouts last?

The essential oils in the radish seeds inhibit the growth of mold, which is why they can be stored well in the refrigerator. Fine fibrous roots may form in the first few days after germination, which can easily be mistaken for mold. To be sure, you can smell the sprouts. If they do not smell musty, they are still suitable for consumption. You can usually store fresh sprouts in the fridge for about a week.

Our tip: It is also worth mixing in radish seeds when growing other sprouts. This reduces mold growth and you can enjoy your sprouts for longer.

Radish sprouts — The essential oils in radish seeds inhibit the growth of mold. What you see here in the picture are roots and not mold. Image by steinchen on Pixabay.

Excursus: Radish as a medicinal plant

The radish is undisputedly a valuable medicinal plant. As already mentioned, the mustard oils are responsible for this. These are able to kill cancer cells and protect humans from various pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. However, it is not only the mustard oils, but also secondary plant substances such as anthocyanins that have positive effects on the human body. They give radishes their beautiful red color. Anthocyanins have an antioxidant and antimicrobial effect and are also said to protect against cancer.

All in all, it is worth growing radish sprouts and radishes.

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Cover picture by Famifranquoi on Pixabay.

Author

Marie

Marie is an agronomist. She is particularly interested in the sustainable and organic cultivation of vegetables and other plants. In her own garden, she gained experience and likes to try things out to learn from nature. She is particularly interested in the values and principles of permaculture, in order to contribute not only to the well-being of nature, but also to the well-being of people and future generations.

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