Short answer: choose a seed, pick sprouts or microgreens, and set a start date. The sprouting calculator shows when to soak, when to rinse or water, and when to harvest. If JavaScript is off, the full table of soak times and harvest days appears instead.
All seeds at a glance
| Seed | Grow as | Soak | Sprouts (days) | Microgreens (days) | Method | Flavour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adzuki bean | Sprouts | 6–12 hours | 2–4 | n/a | Jar | Nutty, sweet |
| Alfalfa | Sprouts, Microgreens | 4–12 hours | 5 | 8–12 | Jar | Mild, grassy |
| Arugula | Sprouts, Microgreens | No soak | 4–5 | 8–12 | Plate or tray | Peppery, nutty |
| Barley | Sprouts, Microgreens | 6–12 hours | 2–3 (hulless) | 8–10 (grass) | Jar or tray | Mild, sweet |
| Basil | Sprouts, Microgreens | No soak | 5–7 | 12–21 | Plate or tray | Sweet basil, hint of clove |
| Beet | Microgreens | 4–6 hours | n/a | 8–12 | Soil tray | Earthy, sweet |
| Bok choy | Sprouts, Microgreens | 1–2 hours | 5 | 10–14 | Jar or tray | Mild, sweet cabbage |
| Borage | Microgreens | Not needed | n/a | 12–15 | Soil tray | Fresh cucumber |
| Broccoli | Sprouts, Microgreens | 1–2 hours | 4–5 | 7–10 | Jar or tray | Mild, peppery |
| Broccoli raab (rapini) | Sprouts, Microgreens | 2–4 hours | 4–5 | 10–14 | Jar or tray | Bitter-sweet broccoli |
| Buckwheat | Sprouts, Microgreens | 6–12 hours | 1–2 (hulled groats) | 10–12 | Soil tray | Mild, lemony |
| Caraway | Microgreens | Not needed | n/a | 14–21 | Soil tray | Light anise and rye bread |
| Carrot | Microgreens | Not needed | n/a | 8–12 | Soil tray | Sweet, carroty, a little parsley |
| Celery | Microgreens | Not needed | n/a | 18–21 | Soil tray | Strong celery |
| Chervil | Microgreens | Not needed | n/a | 14–21 | Soil tray | Mild anise and parsley |
| Chia | Sprouts, Microgreens | No soak | 4–5 | 8–12 | Plate or tray | Mild, slightly peppery |
| Chickpeas | Sprouts | 6–12 hours | 2–3 | n/a | Jar | Nutty, beany |
| Chicory | Microgreens | Not needed | n/a | 10–14 | Soil tray | Bitter, like endive |
| Clover | Sprouts, Microgreens | 4–8 hours | 4–5 | 8–10 | Jar | Mild, sweet, grassy |
| Collard | Sprouts, Microgreens | 2–3 hours | 4–5 | 8–10 | Jar or tray | Mild cabbage |
| Coriander (cilantro) | Microgreens | Optional, 8–12 hours | n/a | 16–28 | Soil tray | Fresh cilantro |
| Cranberry beans | Sprouts | 6–12 hours | 2–3 | n/a | Jar | Creamy, beany |
| Curly cress | Sprouts, Microgreens | No soak | 4–5 | 8–12 | Plate or tray | Hot, peppery |
| Daikon radish | Sprouts, Microgreens | 4–6 hours | 4–5 | 8–10 | Jar or tray | Hot, peppery |
| Dill | Microgreens | Not needed | n/a | 14–21 | Soil tray | Fresh dill |
| Dwarf grey sugar peas | Sprouts, Microgreens | 6–8 hours | 2–3 | 8–10 (shoots) | Jar or soil tray | Sweet, fresh pea |
| Endive | Microgreens | Not needed | n/a | 10–14 | Soil tray | Mildly bitter |
| Fava beans | Sprouts, Microgreens | 6–12 hours | 3–4 | 10–14 (shoots) | Jar or soil tray | Sweet, green bean |
| Fennel | Microgreens | Optional, 4–6 hours | n/a | 10–14 | Soil tray | Sweet anise |
| Fenugreek | Sprouts, Microgreens | 6–12 hours | 3–5 | 8–12 | Jar | Bitter, maple-like |
| Flax | Sprouts, Microgreens | No soak | 4–6 | 8–12 | Plate or tray | Mild, nutty |
| Garlic chives | Sprouts, Microgreens | 4–6 hours | 12–14 | 14–21 | Soil tray | Garlicky |
| Kale | Sprouts, Microgreens | 2–8 hours | 4–5 | 10–14 | Jar or tray | Mild, sweet cabbage |
| Kamut® khorasan wheat | Sprouts, Microgreens | 6 hours | 2–3 | 10–12 | Jar or tray | Buttery, nutty |
| Komatsuna | Sprouts, Microgreens | 1–2 hours | 4–5 | 10–14 | Jar or tray | Mild mustard and spinach |
| Leek | Microgreens | Not needed | n/a | 14–21 | Soil tray | Mild onion |
| Lemon balm | Microgreens | Not needed | n/a | 14–21 | Soil tray | Lemony mint |
| Lentils | Sprouts, Microgreens | 6–12 hours | 2–3 | 8–12 (shoots) | Jar | Earthy, crunchy |
| Millet | Sprouts, Microgreens | 6–8 hours | 1–2 | 8–10 (greens) | Jar or tray | Mild, sweet |
| Mung beans | Sprouts | 6–8 hours | 2–3 | 6–7 (long bean sprouts) | Jar | Fresh, mild, crunchy |
| Mustard | Sprouts, Microgreens | Varies: yellow no soak, wasabi 1–2 hours | 4–5 | 8–12 | Jar or tray | Hot, wasabi-like |
| Nasturtium | Microgreens | 8–12 hours | n/a | 10–14 | Soil tray | Peppery, like watercress |
| Oats | Sprouts, Microgreens | 4–8 hours | 2–3 | 10 (grass) | Jar or tray | Sweet, oaty |
| Onion | Sprouts, Microgreens | 4–6 hours | 10–14 | 14–21 | Jar or soil tray | Sharp onion |
| Parsley | Microgreens | Optional, 8–12 hours | n/a | 14–21 | Soil tray | Fresh parsley |
| Peas | Sprouts, Microgreens | 4–8 hours | 2–3 | 8–10 (shoots) | Jar or soil tray | Sweet, fresh pea |
| Popcorn shoots | Microgreens | 6–12 hours | n/a | 10–12 | Soil tray (dark) | Very sweet corn |
| Purple kohlrabi | Sprouts, Microgreens | 1–2 hours | 5 | 8–10 | Jar or tray | Mild, sweet cabbage |
| Quinoa | Sprouts | 4–8 hours | 2–3 | n/a | Jar | Nutty, mild |
| Radish | Sprouts, Microgreens | 4–8 hours | 4–5 | 10–12 | Jar or tray | Hot, peppery |
| Red amaranth | Microgreens | No soak | n/a | 14–16 | Soil tray | Mild, earthy |
| Red cabbage | Sprouts, Microgreens | 4–6 hours | 5 | 10–12 | Jar or tray | Mild, sweet cabbage |
| Red shiso (perilla) | Microgreens | Not needed | n/a | 14–21 | Soil tray | Mint, basil and cinnamon |
| Rye | Sprouts, Microgreens | 6–12 hours | 2–3 | 8–10 (grass) | Jar or tray | Earthy, nutty |
| Seed blends | Sprouts, Microgreens | Varies by blend | 3–5 | 8–10 | Jar or tray | Varies |
| Sesame | Sprouts | 4–8 hours (unhulled seed only) | 1–2 | n/a | Jar | Nutty |
| Speckled peas | Microgreens | 6–12 hours | n/a | 8–10 (shoots) | Soil tray | Sweet, fresh pea |
| Spelt | Sprouts, Microgreens | 4–8 hours | 2–3 | 10 (grass) | Jar | Nutty, sweet |
| Spigarello | Sprouts, Microgreens | 3–6 hours | 5 | 8–10 | Jar or tray | Sweet broccoli |
| Sunflower | Sprouts, Microgreens | 4–8 hours | 1–2 (hulled seed) | 8–10 | Soil tray | Nutty, crunchy |
| Swiss chard | Microgreens | 4–12 hours | n/a | 8–12 | Soil tray | Mild, earthy |
| Tatsoi | Sprouts, Microgreens | 2–3 hours | 3–6 | 10–12 | Jar or tray | Mild mustard |
| Thyme | Microgreens | Not needed | n/a | 14–21 | Soil tray | Thyme |
| Triticale | Sprouts, Microgreens | 6–12 hours | 2–3 | 8–10 (grass) | Jar or tray | Nutty |
| Turnip | Sprouts, Microgreens | 2–4 hours | 4–5 | 8–12 | Jar or tray | Peppery, mild |
| Watercress | Sprouts, Microgreens | No soak | 4–6 | 10–14 | Plate or tray | Peppery |
| Wheat | Sprouts, Microgreens | 8–12 hours | 1–3 | 8–10 (grass) | Jar | Sweet, chewy |
| Wheatgrass | Microgreens | 8–12 hours | 1–2 (before planting) | 8–10 | Soil tray | Sweet, grassy |
How the sprouting calculator works
The calculator uses each seed's soak time and days to harvest from our seed library, which mostly comes from Sprouting.com's product pages.1 It adds the soak to your start time, then counts the growing days to estimate harvest. Yield estimates come from the same pages, where they're published.
Planning batches with the sprouting calculator
- Sprouts: start a new jar every 2 to 3 days for a steady supply.
- Microgreens: start a small tray every 4 to 5 days.
- Soak overnight for beans and grains so day 1 starts in the morning.
- Short soaks for small brassicas: broccoli needs only 1 to 2 hours.
For the full method, see the step-by-step sprouting guide and the step-by-step microgreens guide.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the harvest date?
It's a guide. The dates come from typical growing times at about 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C). Warmer kitchens are faster and cooler ones slower, so check your sprouts each day.
How much seed should I use for a jar?
For a quart jar, use 1 to 2 tablespoons of small seeds like alfalfa or broccoli, or about ½ cup of beans and lentils.
How much seed should I use for a microgreen tray?
It depends on the crop. Small seeds like broccoli need about 10 to 25 g for a 10 × 20 inch tray, while peas and sunflower need 150 to 275 g. See the microgreens seeding chart.
Sources
- Sprouting.com (Mumm's Sprouting Seeds). Product pages: days to sprout, soak time and yield for each seed. Link