ducks4you
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Since you are a fount of information AND you know how to use the term "graupel", what beans do your grow for sprouts?
Phaedra's 2023 Adventure
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Phaedra
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I grew the most normal sweet peas for shoots (is this what you meant by sprouts?), and last year, I tried the side shoots of field beans - they are also suitable for stir-fry, soup, or even salat.
ducks4you
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Sure, shoots are fine. Just that the packages for microgreens are out of this world pricey. Thought there must be a cheaper alternative. 
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Phaedra
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Really? Here the seeds of microgreens are much much cheaper than ordinary vegetable seeds. I tried last year, and they can turn into very nice plants, too.Sure, shoots are fine. Just that the packages for microgreens are out of this world pricey. Thought there must be a cheaper alternative.
For the pea for shoots, I usually buy the kind of 500g-package of dried beans from the supermarket - they are the best and cheapest alternative. As my target is the shoot, I don't care about what varieties they are.
meadow
Deeply Rooted
Thank you so much! It looks even more inviting with the microgreens!
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Phaedra
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Remember my small boiler room? Well, it's my deeply beloved "Ugly Duckling" room now. The temperature is between 23~25 degrees C, so it's the perfect place to dry any laundry in winter.
And as I tried in the past two years, it's also very suitable for germinating seeds. Most vegetable seeds need a constant warmer temperature (especially for nighttime). Light is not that essential.
I used to keep my seeds here for germination; however, when they germinated so quickly but got no sufficient light - they could become leggy quickly.
Our electrician just came last week and helped us install some lights we brought back from my FIL's house. One old ceiling light was cleaned and relocated in this small room. Now, the room is pretty bright with two lights.
So, guess what I did today here besides laundry?
I peeled some oranges and let the peels stay here to dry. I will soak them later in vinegar or Ethanol as homemade cleaning agents. Just after a few hours, the space smells so good. It would be an ideal place to dry herbs in the summer!
I also sow the next batch of microgreens in recycled plastic containers. The humidity in this room is extremely low, which is negative for seeds to germinate. However, this can be easily solved by adding another similar size plastic container on the top.
Most of the microgreen varieties I chose to sow can tolerate certain coldness (after germination) - brassicas, beetroot, and wild rocket. So, the seeds will only stay here for quick germination, and then I will move them to the unheated room or the greenhouse, up to the exact weather conditions.
Oh, I love my Ugly Duckling room!
I also kept practicing on my sewing machine. My sewing corner is right outside the Ugly Duckling room. I used the old rags for practicing and was happy to give them a new chance.
Huu, rags made in Switzerland! In fact, I believe those rags are older than me.
It's still cold outside, and the garden is full of snow. Before the sowing starts (mid-Feb), my focus will be on indoor activities. My next practice will be making quilted cushion covers (from old home textiles) for our dogs and cats. The 2023 sewing goal is to make a lovely quilted blanket for myself!
And as I tried in the past two years, it's also very suitable for germinating seeds. Most vegetable seeds need a constant warmer temperature (especially for nighttime). Light is not that essential.
I used to keep my seeds here for germination; however, when they germinated so quickly but got no sufficient light - they could become leggy quickly.
Our electrician just came last week and helped us install some lights we brought back from my FIL's house. One old ceiling light was cleaned and relocated in this small room. Now, the room is pretty bright with two lights.
So, guess what I did today here besides laundry?
I peeled some oranges and let the peels stay here to dry. I will soak them later in vinegar or Ethanol as homemade cleaning agents. Just after a few hours, the space smells so good. It would be an ideal place to dry herbs in the summer!
I also sow the next batch of microgreens in recycled plastic containers. The humidity in this room is extremely low, which is negative for seeds to germinate. However, this can be easily solved by adding another similar size plastic container on the top.
Most of the microgreen varieties I chose to sow can tolerate certain coldness (after germination) - brassicas, beetroot, and wild rocket. So, the seeds will only stay here for quick germination, and then I will move them to the unheated room or the greenhouse, up to the exact weather conditions.
Oh, I love my Ugly Duckling room!
I also kept practicing on my sewing machine. My sewing corner is right outside the Ugly Duckling room. I used the old rags for practicing and was happy to give them a new chance.
Huu, rags made in Switzerland! In fact, I believe those rags are older than me.
It's still cold outside, and the garden is full of snow. Before the sowing starts (mid-Feb), my focus will be on indoor activities. My next practice will be making quilted cushion covers (from old home textiles) for our dogs and cats. The 2023 sewing goal is to make a lovely quilted blanket for myself!
Dahlia
Deeply Rooted
I grow 4 different kinds of sprouts that are in a mix and it's very economical compared to the micro greens at the store! They are broccoli, clover, radish, and alfalfa. I buy the seeds in bags from The Sprout House online.Sure, shoots are fine. Just that the packages for microgreens are out of this world pricey. Thought there must be a cheaper alternative.
Dahlia
Deeply Rooted
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Phaedra
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When there's a will, there is a way.
It was always the corner for the devices that generated warmth for the families who lived here, but nobody wanted to enter as it was so dark, creepy, and ugly. As it gradually proved its unexpected strength to dry laundry, herbs, and germinate seeds, I'd love to see how much I can change it with minimum effort and spending.
Here comes my 15-Euro solution to rescue one of the walls in the boiler room that was left behind for decades. The champion is a shower curtain! (Yeah, and there is really a "way.")
Most of the seeds germinated within 48 hours and because of the light on the low ceiling, many cotyledons are showing up!
I will finish the other wall with some IKEA items this coming weekend.
It was always the corner for the devices that generated warmth for the families who lived here, but nobody wanted to enter as it was so dark, creepy, and ugly. As it gradually proved its unexpected strength to dry laundry, herbs, and germinate seeds, I'd love to see how much I can change it with minimum effort and spending.
Here comes my 15-Euro solution to rescue one of the walls in the boiler room that was left behind for decades. The champion is a shower curtain! (Yeah, and there is really a "way.")
Most of the seeds germinated within 48 hours and because of the light on the low ceiling, many cotyledons are showing up!
I will finish the other wall with some IKEA items this coming weekend.
Last edited:
baymule
Garden Master
I love your Ugly Duckling room! It’s not so ugly anymore.
