I've been trying to find out the same thing. I let 3 boc choy plants go to seed and I got 1/2 cup of seeds from that and about the same from 1 romain lettuce plant. I think it would take alot of raddish to make much seed.
I am going to try sprouting wheat and lentles.
I get some sproutable seeds from the organic section of my bulk foods store. any whole seeds will sprout. Sprouting any bean makes it a whole protein. But my book says they need to eaten slight steamed to kill the toxic enzynes that beans naturally have.
Any way my garden plan now allows for letting extra plants go to seed just for sprouting.

 

Thanks Squish. I just ordered some from Pinetree Seeds. I think I might try to grow from those (after eating a few first, of course). What's the name of the book you have? I might be interested in checking it out. BTW, I didn't know that bean sprouts needed steamed first to kill a toxin, ouch. I love fresh crispy bean sprouts in spring rolls. Guess I'll have to steam them from now on.

 

mung bean sprouts come up fast and are healthful
alfalfa sprouts
I would also try lentils and some chinese cabbage
How about sunflower?

 

mung bean sprouts probably don't need steamed. I think other beans might though.

 

I let 3 boc choy plants go to seed and I got 1/2 cup of seeds from that

Were those seeds still in the pod, or was it 1/2 cup seeds out of the pods. I'm kicking myself now. I had about twenty boc choy plants go to seed last year, and we just tilled them under! Dang it. This year all my boc choy got mowed down by cabbage loopers. I just ripped out the skeletons of all my fall mustard crops. Had a whole bed full of them planted for the winter, nothing left but stems. I must have squashed about a hundred of those things, all sizes too. :viking:

 

That was cleaned seed. As well as I can clean it by hand any way. Like I said I am going to make a habit of letting a few more of what ever I am seed saving from go to seed so I can sprout the results. My garden is producing way more food than I am able can so why not make sprouting seed for winter use. I would still suggest trying the bulk food section at the store. We buy organic wheat berries, lentles, and soy beans. They spout just fine. They also have mung bean seed and a sprouting seed mix.

 

Wish there was a store with bulk foods section nearby. I don't even know of one within 30 mile radius, and that's a lot of towns/villages/cities. Guess I will have to ask around. Would a Trader Joe's have a bulk foods section? The one I visited last summer didn't have one that I can remember. Would you be able to throw out some names of nationwide stores that have bulk foods sections. About fifteen years ago, some of the Eagles stores used to have a bulk section. I think Omni had one too. They are both closed out around here.

How big is your garden? I can't seem to grow enough to last us through the year yet. Still working on it. This year the leeks went to seed. Out of a dozen or so leeks, a half of a gallon sized bag was produced (with chaff).

This appears like it is going to become my another hobby within the gardening hobby, lol. I've already ordered seeds for next year and am focusing on open pollinated varieties. Ayep. Sounds like a plan. The only thing left after that is to start doing some crosses. Gardening can be so addictive.

 

I just read this thread and I have to ask..
What is a Seed Sprouter? Many years ago, I used to sprout mung beans in a jar..I guess that is a thing of the past?

And you should be able to sprout almost any kind of bean, pea or other small seed, such as radishes or alfalfa. Depends on the end use I suppose..

Anyway, back to this Sprouter Pleez

 

The seed sprouter. There are a number of different types. One has an automatic continuous rinse on it. Mine isn't that fancy. It a set of stackable trays that are designed so when you rinse your seeds, you put water in the top tray and fill it to about a half inch, then the water starts to drain down into the next tray until it fills about half an inch, and so on to the bottom. When everything is drained through, just lift the trays of and dump the water out of the bottom tray and rinse again. The sprouts come out a lot nicer than using the jar method, which I've tried several times and was always dissappointed in the results. Just google on "seed sprouter" or something similar.

 

I use old mayo jars with some sprout lids I made my self with plastic lids. I drilled holes for draining with my husbands drill press. I had some store bought sprout lids but have lost them. I think I bought at the health food store.

 

I've sprouted seeds for many years.

Mung beans, lentils (cheap in any store) peas, alfalfa, etc.

You don't have to locate a bulk food distributor to get your seeds. Just ask your local grocer to order what you want to sprout --if he doesn't have it on hand. I had my grocer order 20 lbs. of whole pea seeds and he had the order in a week or so. He pays the freight that way!

Also, I buy mung beans in bulk directly from the co-op elevator where they are grown -- in southern Oklahoma. I forget the name of the co-op but if you buy in bulk (25 or 50# bag, the beans only cost about 15 cents a pound.

For seed sprouter a couple quart jars with nylon screen material for a cover works fine.

 

You don't have to locate a bulk food distributor to get your seeds. Just ask your local grocer to order what you want to sprout --if he doesn't have it on hand. I had my grocer order 20 lbs. of whole pea seeds and he had the order in a week or so. He pays the freight that way!

What a great idea. I wouldn't have thought to ask a local grocer to order sprouting seeds. Maybe they could order a 50# bag of wheat berries, too. There's only one independent grocer in my area left, so, if they say no, I'll have to try the co-op route.

Thanks for the heads up Bruce.