Cultivating your own edibles at home is thrilling hobby.
It engages you, saves money, and provides a sense of satisfaction when picking your first crop.
However, this may seem like an overwhelming task to the not so green-thumbed. This is where sprouting is your friend.
Sprouting is where you will encourage plant seeds to grow until a shoot appears. The crop will be ready for harvest within five days of seed planting.
After harvesting, the sprouts will either be consumed or put in the refrigerator to consume later.
The Best Terracotta Seed Sprouters
Here is an overview of the best terracotta speed sprouters available.
1. GEO Terradisiena 4-Tier Terracotta Seed Sprouter
The GEO Terradisiena brings you the iconic Italian craftsmanship that is known for its fine design detail.
It brings an incredible balance of aesthetics and functionality to your home, so whether you grow seeds inside or outside, it won’t compromise the rest of your décor.
This sprouter makes it simple to grow a variety of sprouts and microgreens in your own home. The food-safe terracotta clay maintains the moisture in the growing environment and allows for quick and healthy growth.
With this product, you get more than form and function. Don’t let the aesthetics fool you.
It is made of high-quality terracotta clay that is fired at high temperatures for to be able to endure the elements. That said, it is a little delicate, so a small fall can cause it to break.
The terracotta sprouter also includes a unique stacking method that is great.
Pros
- Beautiful hexagonal design
- Innovative tray stacking system
- Food-grade terracotta clay
- Durability
Cons
- You must be careful when stacking the trays to avoid breakage
You can either modify the spaces between the different trays, allowing air and light to penetrate them or you can stack them to create moisture and humidity levels.
This process simulates a “day” and ‘night” condition, which is the best way to grow your seeds to their potentially optimum level.
2. Vensovo 6″ Terracotta Pot Plant Saucer
The vensovo Terracotta pot plant saucers consist of breathable material, promoting improved root aeration.
As a result, your seeds sprout more quickly. The clay is also non-toxic, unlike plastic and glazed sprouters.
Use this saucer to sprout seeds both indoors and outdoors. It is made with Chinese clay of the highest quality.
Although it does not have as solid a reputation as Italian, it is fairly durable and tough.
The edges of these saucers are raised, which allows for better moisture retention, which is especially helpful for growing things that need a lot of moisture.
Each saucer is 0.9″ deep, making it easier to harvest seed sprouts.
Pros
- Shockproof polystyrene packaging
- Sturdy and durable
- High-quality clay
- Value for money
Cons
- Bland appearance
Vensovo ensures that these saucers are wrapped in polystyrene foam so they don’t crack during transport.
If the sprouters break in transit, you can get a refund.
These things, when combined with the fact it’s a six-piece set – make it worth the money.
3. Okuna Outpost Terracotta Plant Saucers
The Okuna Outpost Terracotta saucers are suitable for those who prefer designs which are clean, and classic.
They are versatile as well and can serve as drainage trays for pots or spaced apart to sprout seeds.
Okuna plant saucers are made of high-quality kiln-fired clay for durability and can be used outdoors without concern for current weather conditions.
However, it would be unwise to place in any areas of fluctuation in temperature, as the climate can lead to cracking.
Each saucer is 0.9″ thick deep and has a total of 12 saucers. Shallow trays are best for sprouting seeds since they are easier to separate from one another. It made for dismantling sprouts from deep containers not easy at all.
The downside, is they are quite small, and can only sprout a limited number of seeds since the dish is only 4.5” in diameter, although this may appeal to those with a small garden.
Pros
- Premium kiln-fired clay
- Simple and clean design
- Versatility
- Styrofoam shockproof padding
Cons
- The saucers are tiny
The packing includes Styrofoam pads enveloping the set along with thin layers of foam interspersed between the individual saucers.
This is to avoid damage by shock and ensure the unit arrives in one piece.
4. Kostruny JULIAS Tiny Terracotta Plant Trays
This 18-set tray package from Kostruny is great for beginners because it is smaller. Each is 3.5″ wide by 0.7″ deep.
The small size also allows you to get experience trying different plants.
While expert growers might not like the small size, it’s high quality of material.
The saucer trays are made of significant clay 975oC baked clay for many years of use.
The finish is smooth in texture contributing to this product’s awesomeness.
Plus, easy to harvest seed sprouts from shallow trays.
Pros
- Ideal for small space
- Premium quality clay
- Attractive appearance
Cons
- Discoloration after extensive use
Raising edges prevents the loss of water which allows for quicker germination.
Unfortunately, the saucers will stain with heavy use. To reduce staining, don’t use them in direct sunlight.
5. Juvale Store Mini Terracotta Set
The Juvale Store Mini Terracotta Set is a beautiful collection of 16 pots and saucers that can be used to grow potted plants or start seeds. Each item in the set is smooth and natural-looking.
The pots measure 1.9″ in diameter and stand 1.5″ tall. They are one of the smallest that you can find.
The small size gives you one more reason to use saucers interchangeably with pots to start seeds.
Why?
Because these pots are shallow, it makes it easier to take the whole crop out for harvesting rather than harvesting the seedling with soil stuck to its roots.
In addition, the small size allows these pots and saucers to fit in with the existing décor.
Pros
- Value for money
- Beautiful design
- Ideal for miniature gardens
- Sturdy and durable
Cons
- They are tiny
You will be able to enhance the aesthetics of your porch, patio, or deck by using these pits.
Besides size, these pits are made sturdy. They are made of high-quality clay that is fired at high temperatures.
Why Sprout?
Growing sprouts is an easy and affordable gardening technique you can accomplish with limited financial investment and in the tightest spaces.
In addition, it is easier than other farming systems.
It also ensures nutrient-dense food.
Sprouts are harvested when they are at their best growth stage, where they have maximum nutrition.
Sprouts are invaluable for health-minded people. They are used by many health-minded people to grow:
- antioxidants
- minerals
- proteins
- and vitamins
Instead of less healthy spices, you can use them to make your foods tastier.
Furthermore, you can grind them into flour for baking nutritious bread and cakes.
What Plants Can You Sprout?
You can grow and sprout nearly all edible seeds, like beans, broccoli, lentils, kale, spinach, etc.
The vegetables, and leafy greens mostly produce long sprouts with few bigger leaves.
These work really well in dishes such as salads, sandwiches, and other toppings.
The beans & legumes on the other hand are crunchy. They work well in things like raw hummus and other foods that are made better crunchy.
How to Use Sprouted Grains
Unlike your typical veg, there is a requirement to cook sprouted grains before you consume them. Alternatively, you can make flour from sprouted grains.
Here are some helpful ideas for using sprouted grains.
Use sprouted, dehydrated grains to substitute in place of all-purpose flour, when you’re baking pastries. Again, you need to dehydrate the sprouted grains before grinding them up.
You may also use sprouted grains as an additive to your energy drinks. Simply add some wheat sprouts to your protein shake to increase the overall nutrition of your shake.
Last but not least – you can always allow the sprouted grain to develop into matured barley or wheatgrass for juicing.
How to Sprout Seeds
First and foremost, buy sprouting seeds at your local grocery.
Do not buy garden seeds because the results won’t be appetizing.
Next, you will need to buy a sprouting device.
This can be a sack, a glass jar, a plastic grow tray, or even a terracotta saucer.
Later we will cover how to sprout seeds in a terracotta device.
- Rinse and soak the seeds before putting them into the terracotta tray.
- Put a terracotta saucer in a larger pot of water and cover both with a dish.
- The terracotta saucer will suck up the right amount of water to help you germinate the seeds.
- The seeds should be ready for harvesting in five days. You can maximize the sprouts for a week in the refrigerator.
When your sprouts are prepared, you can eat them just as they are or put them into the light to produce more chlorophyll.
Most people sprout seeds in dark areas to simulate nature when seeds grow down below dirt.
However, research indicates that different approaches may yield more.
If you have a sunny area, consider moving your seed sprouter there instead of leaving it in a dark place.
Keep in mind that research shows broccoli grown in the sunlight has a higher composition of vitamin C and flavonoids. The same applies to other greens.
Wrapping Up
Gardeners love using terracotta planters and sprouters because of their beautiful appearance and sustainable properties.
They also work as decor in your house and as a seed sprouting container.
When selecting a terracotta seed sprouter, you will want to select a durable and food-safe material. The trays should also be very shallow for easy harvesting.
The distinctive option on the list is the GEO Terradisiena 4-Tier Terracotta Seed Sprouter.
The GEO sprouter is unique because you can sprout many seeds while saving space.
Also, you can flip the trays to switch from “day” to “night” growing conditions. Lastly, this item is an Italian quality product.
The only downside to the GEO Terradisiena is the brittleness.
Just like other clay products, you will need to be gentle to prevent breaking the sprouter!