Repurposed Containers for Growing Shoots

Repurposed Containers for Growing Shoots

One of the great things about growing shoots is that it’s so versatile! You don’t need expensive equipment to get started, and most of the required components you probably already have on hand. Sure, there are commercially made germination trays you can purchase, but if you’re not ready to fully commit money to supplies for shoot-production or if you’re short on funds you can even use repurposed containers for growing your own leafy-greens.

shoot salad
Shoot salad I made from shoots grown in repurposed containers.

Note: Read about Runamuk’s #WinterGrowingChallenge to learn more about what it is, and how you can participate! And in case you need further convincing, here are 13 Reasons to Grow Your Own Shoots This Winter!

Your Imagination is the Limit!

repurposing containers to grow shoots
Containers I scavenged in my kitchen to grow shoots in.

To give you some ideas I scrounged a few containers from my own kitchen, repurposed them and grew a round of shoots in them. I had a 1 gallon milk jug, a half-gallon milk jug, and a container that organic mushrooms had come packaged in.

I’ve seen shoots grown in ceramic bowls, yogurt cups, shallow baking pans, clam shells─really your imagination is the limit here, so take a look around your house to see what you have on hand that you could use to grow your own shoots in!

shoots in repurposed containers
Honestly, I forgot what this one was. I think it might be kale or broccoli─grown in repurposed mushroom packaging.
cress shoots_repurposed shoot trays
This is Cressida Cress in my repurposed milk jug.
micro mix
Johnny’s MicroMix as shoots in this repurposed milk jug.
radish shoots
Radish shoots in a repurposed half-gallon milk jug.

Conclusion

There’s still 6 weeks remaining in the #WinterGrowingChallenge. I hope I’ve inspired someone out there to give growing shoots and sprouts a try. It really is a super simple and affordable way to increase your family’s consumption of leafy-greens during the long winter months. Certainly if I can do it, anyone else should be able to do it too.

If you are growing shoots this winter, and especially if you’ve been growing along with me as part of the #WinterGrowingChallenge─be sure to share a picture of your shoots with us on Facebook or Instagram and use the #WinterGrowingChallenge hashtag. Or just leave a comment below to share your story with me and the other readers! We’d love to hear from you!

There’s still time to participate in the #WinterGrowingChallenge! Check out How to Grow Shoots if you need instruction; and for seeds take a look at what Johnny’s Selected Seeds has available for shoots and sprouts! Be sure to tell them I sent you!

One of the great things about growing shoots is that it’s so versatile! You don’t need expensive equipment to get started, and most of the required components you probably already have on hand. Sure, there are commercially made germination trays you can purchase, but if you’re not ready to fully commit to shoot-production or if you’re short on funds you can even use repurposed containers for growing your own leafy-greens. Click through to learn more!

Share your thoughts, comments or questions!

Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm