Self-sustainability is a essential survival skill, and that’s not just for emergencies — being able to source food on your own is great when you’re on the go, too. Today I’m going to teach you how to grow sprouts while you’re travelling, whether you’re on the trail, backpacking, or camping, with everything from pre-travel procedures to DIY sprout bags.
Growing your own sprouts is a great way to have fresh, nutritious veggies and a hands-on activity when you’re travelling. If you’re sourcing your seeds on location, which I would recommend, you can better understand the local produce too. Although I often exalt sprouting as an excellent planting project for beginners, I must warn you that there are added complications when you’re travelling, especially in a foreign country, so be sure to conduct through research and mindful considerations prior to your departure to ensure successful sprouting.
🌱 Have you grown sprouts or microgreens while on the road before? If so, share your thoughts and tips with fellow readers below!
Ensure your seeds are legal
This may seem like an odd consideration, but knowing exactly what is allowed in the jurisdiction you’re going to will save you a lot of time and heartache in the long run. Knowing the restrictions around food is really important when you travel, whether you’re sprouting or not. Of course, this step only applies to you if you intend on crossing international borders during your trip.
The agriculture government bodies are very authoritative in most countries — for good reason — because invasive species can damage the ecological systems in place. If you are flying, check to make sure the seeds you bring are allowed. Most countries list permitted and forbidden foods on their government website. Sometimes you need to bring special documentation to get your seeds through.
Source local sprouting seeds
First off, all seeds are sprouting seeds. There isn’t a difference between the seeds you sprout and the seeds you grow into large plants. Surprisingly, eating sprouts is not that common around the world, even though they are extremely nutrient dense. Nonetheless, if you find seeds, you can sprout them. I recommend finding local seeds, so you can get to know the native produce wherever you’re exploring — it’s a great way to engage with your travel destination.
All you need to do is soak the seeds and for 12 to 24 hours. Of course, if the water supply where you are isn’t potable, you can always use bottled water. The seeds will absorb the water, so it is really important to make sure you get this right.
Upcycle your water
After you soak and rinse your seeds, don’t dump the liquid! The water you used becomes priceless because it is enriched with nutrients. Save this water and drink it. Backpacking is a lot about saving money, so this is a great way to upcycle the water that you purchase.
DIY a sprouting bag
I would advise that you bring a sprouting bag along — after all, a winning effort begins with preparation — because it might be hard to find a sprouting bag while you’re travelling. However, if you’re deciding to sprout on a whim, fear not! You can fashion your own bag with a needle and thread.
If you hit up most hardware stores, you will be able to find nylon mesh netting that is used for screen doors. This is pretty common to find as most homes around the world need this.
Another cool place to find a mesh is an old tent. When I was at a festival in Panama, Tribal Gathering, at the end of this event there were so many tents left over and discarded (so wasteful!). I walked around and found a high-end tent and cut up the mesh netting and sewed it together. I would also ask hostels if they have any leftover tents or things lying around that you can use — resourcefulness is key.
Hang the sprouts of your bag while you walk around the city. They are an amazing source of nutrients and will continue to grow. Just make sure they have good air flow and don’t dry out.
