Broccoli seeds can be used to grow fully mature vegetables, or for sprouts and microgreens. Broccoli sprouts are seeds that are germinated and harvested during their sprouting stage. These immature broccoli plants are nutrient-dense containing a host of vitamins and minerals, protein, and powerful antioxidants. The sprouts however have a sweeter taste than the fully matured vegetable with a delicate appearance and texture. Broccoli seeds require very little space to sprout which means you can grow your own microgreens on a windowsill, in the corner of your kitchen, or the pantry without taking up any space. This way you are also able to control the surrounding climate of your sprouting seeds. Although having a seed sprouter is handy, you don’t need any special equipment to sprout your own broccoli seeds. We’ve listed the top-rated broccoli seeds in 2023 to get you sprouting easy and delicious nutrient-dense additions for everyday meals.
Broccoli seeds are so easy to grow. Whether you sprout them on your windowsill or grow them in soil, they are an excellent seed variety for first-time growers to sow, nurture, and harvest. The sprouts and microgreens are packed with flavor and nutritional benefits since they are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and even protein. Generally, sprouts will be ready to eat within 6 days or microgreens within 8 days of starting the germination process. When choosing your seeds there are a few things to consider to make sure you get good quality nutritional value. Once you’ve got your seeds, it is vital to take the right steps to sprout them to ensure maximum germination rates. Here’s everything you need to know.
To ensure your sprouted seeds will offer the most nutritional value, you want to make sure they are completely natural and have not been chemically treated. Therefore, always choose seeds that are non-GMO and where possible certified organic.
Some smaller companies find the cost of organic certification very high and may produce organic seeds which are not necessarily certified. Other companies do not chemically treat their produce or use chemical pesticides but cannot guarantee the organic soil quality which will disqualify the certification of the produce.
In addition to ensuring you only purchase non-GMO seeds, look out for companies who test the germination rates of seed lots to avoid getting seeds that won’t sprout. Sprouts from different suppliers may taste a little different depending on the seed variety.
Regardless of the method, you use to sprout or grow broccoli microgreens you need to sanitize them first. Place 2 tablespoons of broccoli seeds into 1 cup of water mixed with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Let the seeds soak in the water-vinegar mixture for 10 minutes. Drain the seeds and rinse them with clean water. The seeds are now ready to be used for sprouting or planting.
Step 1: Use three tablespoons of seeds for a one-quart size jar. Place the seeds in the jar and rinse the seeds twice by filling the jar with water, putting the sprouting lid or screen on, swirling it around, and draining out the water.
Step 2: Fill the jar halfway with water and place it in the refrigerator to soak for 8 to 10 hours overnight.
Step 3: Pour out the soaking water and cover the seeds in clean water to rinse them well. Shake out as much water as possible after rinsing. Turn the jar a few times to allow the seeds to coat the sides of the jar.
Step 4: Place the jar at an angle in a small bowl so any excess water can drain out.
Step 5: From this point forward, you need to rinse and drain the seeds one to two times daily and place them in the same angled position for excess water to drain out. It is important to get rid of excess water to prevent mold or other issues. You will begin to see them sprouting. After 6 to 9 days your sprout will be ready to eat
For a visual how-to, check out this seed-to-harvest video.
Broccoli is one of the easiest and fastest-growing microgreens to work with. To grow your broccoli microgreens, you will need:
Step 1: Fill the planting tray with a premium potting mix, firmly compacted. Don’t fill the compartments to the brim, leave a small amount of space at the top open since you will be adding more soil later.
Step 2: Spray water to wet the soil surface. Let the water soak into the soil and then respray.
Step 3: Spread a small number of seeds evenly over the soil without overcrowding. Cover the seeds with a light coating of soil and very gently press down the soil.
Step 4: Use the spray bottle to wet the seeds and settle them into the soil. Cover your seeds with a lid to keep them in a dark and cool environment. If the lid is clear, place a small towel over the lid to keep it dark and retain the moisture. Leave your seeds for 2 days to germinate.
Step 5: If your seeds have only germinated very slightly, give them another one to two days under the cover. If there is a large amount of germination remove the lid and allow your sprouting seeds to receive a lot of light, whether sunlight, a special grow light, or LED lighting.
Step 6: Add water to the watering tray as the little plants will now be watered from the bottom to prevent disease. You may have to add more water for the first round as the soil will be dry and absorb more moisture until it is saturated. Leave your greens in plenty of light and add water to the bottom tray as needed.
Step 7: After 8-to-ten days your broccoli microgreens will be 2.5-to-3 inches tall. Harvest only the amount you intend to use at a time by using a sharp knife to cut the stem just above the soil. Wash your broccoli microgreens just before using. If you are storing them in the refrigerator, wait until you use them before giving them a rinse.
Food to Live strives to make the world a better place by embracing and encouraging healthy eating habits and safe agricultural practices. They prioritize where their food and produce comes from to deliver only top-quality products to you. The Food to Live facility is CCOF Organic certified, which means you can be 100% sure that these broccoli seeds are completely free from GMOs, nitrates, and any other dangerous toxins. Food to Live organic broccoli seeds are easy to sprout and ready to eat within six to nine days of sprouting. Broccoli sprouts are packed with nutritional benefits and are delicious in smoothies, salads, with vegetables, and garnishing pretty much any dish. The seed packs are available in sizes from 1 pound up to 18 pounds bulk size.
Heirloom seeds are seeds of which the varieties are at least 50 years old. Heirloom seeds are never hybrids or GMOs which means they are a natural and healthy choice. Rainbow Heirloom Seed Company offers top-quality heirloom broccoli seeds with high germination rates. These seeds are grown and packed in the USA. These broccoli seeds can be grown in growing trays, sprout jars, or countertop sprouters year-round. Rainbow Heirloom Seed Company offers friendly customer support to answer any of your sprouting questions to help you achieve the best results. The broccoli sprouts are a Waltham 29 variety and are available in 1 pound quantities.
Easy Peasy non-GMO broccoli seeds are ideal for sprouting in mason jars, potting soil, or even paper towels. Instructions are provided to help you get the maximum germination. The broccoli seeds are sustainably grown on the family Illinois farm or sourced from similar all-natural setups without the use of pesticides or other chemical treatments. Sprouting broccoli seeds are ideal because you do not need a garden to enjoy the benefits of growing your own microgreens. Easy Peasy broccoli seeds are available in ¼ pound packs which is ideal if you just want to try them out. They also come in larger 1 lb, 2 lb, and 5 lb quantities.
Country Creek broccoli seeds are non-GMO and available in 4 oz quantities. All the seed lots are tested for germination and are ideal for growing sprouts and microgreens. Within eight days of planting the broccoli seeds, you can enjoy your homegrown microgreens. Country Creek provides a step-by-step guide on their website to growing broccoli microgreens for best results.
The Sprout House offers certified organic, non-GMO broccoli seeds in a 1 pound resealable bag. This allows you to take out the amount you need and keep the rest safely sealed for freshness. Once you begin the sprouting process, your greens will be ready to eat in 5 to 7 days. Your homegrown sprouts can be used in salads, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, and on top of pizza.
Handy Pantry broccoli seeds are certified organic, non-GMO seeds grown in the USA. The seeds have been microbial tested and come in a resealable pouch for safe storage and to ensure a long shelf life. Handy Pantry broccoli seeds can be sprouted using trays, sacks, or a jar method. They should be soaked for 6 to 8 hours before starting the germination process. Rinse and drain the seeds two to three times daily during the sprouting process. After 4 to 6 days your fresh and slightly sweet sprouts will be ready to enjoy. Handy Pantry provides customer service to answer any questions about their products or sprouting.
This seed mix contains broccoli, alfalfa, radish, and clover seeds. The seeds are organic, non-GMO and germination rates are regularly tested with an average of over 97%. The seeds come with full sprouting instructions to make sure you get the best out of each batch. The variety mix offers great flavor and incredible health benefits. Todd’s seeds broccoli seed mix is only available for delivery in the USA.
A: Seeds used for sprouting and growing microgreens or mature vegetables are the same. The difference is in the growing method and time they are left to mature before harvesting.
A: If a product carries the USDA Organic seal, or states "organic" on the labeling, it must, by law, be certified organic. Businesses or individuals may otherwise risk being fined up to $17,000. Many smaller companies follow organic practices but are unable to carry the cost for organic certification. It is best to ask your supplier directly about the methods they use if you are unsure.
A: Although the seeds are the same, sprouts are only grown in water. Once the sprouts are ready, the entire little plant is eaten including seed, leaves, and stem. Microgreens are grown in soil and are cut off above the soil level with only the stem and leaves being eaten.
