Lentils

[Sue]

Anyone had experience of growing lentils? I can't find any advice anywhere. Also can I just plant the lentils from the health food shop or will the sprouting lentils be OK or is there some other secret source?

Sue

[Snadger]

Interesting question! No idea of answer though! Will watch thread with interest!

[supersprout]

No reason why lentils shouldn't grow here in a warm summer IMO
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/lentil.html
Try to sprout a few whole lentils from the shop - Puy, brown, green - whichever you want - and if they sprout you've got viable seed.
They do like it hot and dry, but it's getting easier to grow sub-tropical beans. I wouldn't grow them, because you only get a few lentils per pod and it would kill me to pod as many as I'd like to eat!

[Sue]

Supersprout
Many thanks for the reply and link. I like to have something new to try and be fascinated to see how they grow so will give them a go - probably for a tablespoonful of lentils if I'm lucky!
best wishes
Sue

[Earthbabe]

Sue, bear in mind also that you can eat sprouted lentils in the same way as you can eat sprouted chick peas, mung beans, cress, mustard, alfalfa etc. So while you are sprouting some for the garden why not sprout some for eating now.

[shirley]

What a good idea. Never crossed my mind

[Two_Sheds]

I grew some in a pot on my windowsill...nice plants like peas. Never got round to planting them out onto the allotment tho, so I didn't get a crop. Try and get to Eden Project if you can, they grow lots of unusual crops like lentils.

[Sue]

Two Sheds - is that Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson???
Which type of lentil did you grow?
I was going to the Eden Project, all set up, hotel booked etc and my friend's car broke down so still haven't been...

Earthbabe
Haven't sprouted lentils but will give them a go, am on wrinkly cress at the moment!
Sue

[Earthbabe]

They are delicious Sue. Give them an overnight soak in cold water then drain and into the jar and into the dark. They sprout very quickly so two or three days should do it. I've found once sprouted they seem to continue going even in the fridge. Try chick peas the same way too.

[JennieAtkinson]

Can anyone advise what sort of lentils? I always have red split ones, but don't generally have others in the cupboard.

[supersprout]

We enjoy Puy lentils as sprouts, or whole brown lentils from health food shops, and also the large flat greenish-yellow ones. You're right, they have to be whole, complete with seed jacket, to sprout.