Growing an Avocado Tree at Home

A great way to save money and brighten up your home is sprout your own plants. One of the easiest things you can do is use the seeds and pits you would normally toss out. Avocados make beautiful indoor plants, and if you live in a warm climate, in a few years you can plant it outside to grow a tree! Fruit bearing-trees take many years before they start to give fruit, but are still lovely and rewarding to grow at home. Below are instructions on sprouting an avocado.

1) Cut open a fresh, ripe avocado length-wise and scoop out the pit. Eat the fruit! Yum yum yum.

2) Wash off the pit, removing any traces of fruit.

3) Press 4 toothpicks into the pit, half-way up and around the middle. Use them to balance the pit in a glass of water. The pointy side should be up, and the bottom quarter of the pit should sit in the water.

4) Let the pit rest in the water, keeping it at room temperature or warmer, for a few weeks. If you live in a colder climate or are doing this in the winter, you might want to use a heating pad or a grow lamp.

5) Refill the water as needed to keep the pit moist.

The pit will sprout roots, and eventually will crack in half with a sprout coming out at the top. This will probably take a few months. Once it sprouts, you can transplant it to a pot, gently covering the roots with soil and putting it in a place with plenty of sun.

Sprouting is the hard part, so once you have the sprout you can sit back and enjoy! Until next time, keep it clean!

Grow Your Own: Sprouts!

   Sprouts are baby plants with a lot of impact. The health benefits for these tiny seedlings are abundant. Sprouts contain antioxidants that fight free radicals along with protein, chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The enzymes in sprouts allow for the plant to digest itself, giving your hard working body a break while still invigorating you thoroughly! It is recommended to eat large portions of sprouts as they contain all essential vitamins and minerals.
    Almost any grain, legume, or seed can be sprouted and consumed. Most common sprouts are mung bean, alfalfa, and lentil, however, you can sprout just about anything! They are a delicious addition to salads, sandwiches, stir-frys, and more! You can easily purchase pre-grown sprouts at your grocer or health food store. Sprouts are also super easy, fun, and rewarding to grow yourself!!!
   To grow sprouts you don't necessarily need any fancy equipment. I have a special three compartment sprouter made specifically for this purpose. You can you also just as easily use a jar to make your sprouts! To do this you want to:

• Soak seeds in water for 8-12 hours. Larger seeds may need longer.
• Drain the water using a sieve or cheesecloth. 
• Rinse seeds well and swish slightly to remove any hulls.
• Drain again and keep seeds in jar covered with cheesecloth.
• Rinse and drain every 12 hours.
• Harvest and enjoy!

   Depending on what you are sprouting, you will usually be able to harvest within a couple of days! You can keep sprouts fresh in the fridge and eat within 3 weeks. If they start to get slimy or smell funky, it's best to toss them!
   Sprouts are quick and delicious nutritional powerhouses that are easy to grow yourself. I encourage you to try this method and also increase your sprout intake! Until next time, stay healthy and have fun! :)