Diversification is one way to survive tough economic times and for Greg Hartley and his wife Lynda it meant moving from the open ocean to a damp, dark bathroom.

Mr. Hartley is the owner of Undersea Adventures Ltd., which is run from Watford Bridge in Somerset, but business all but dried up following September 11.

However, his new venture, “Bermuda Green”, is flourishing, so to speak.

The greens in question are sprouts and actually taste best when yellow said Mr. Hartley.

“We are health nuts,” said Mr. Hartley, who spoke with The Royal Gazette about his new venture.

He explained that the diving business usually drops off after Labour Day when children go back to school, but said that following September 11, business was left dead in the water.

Always looking for an alternative for the winter, Mr. Hartley asked himself ‘What can we do that fits our philosophy of health that is a benefit to the Island?'

Sprouts were the answer, namely alfalfa with a touch of radish for spiciness.

Although the seeds and materials were imported, he said it was largely a Bermuda product. “Much of the final price is created in Bermuda by our labour.”

In the short time he has been producing his greens, he has almost cornered the local market.

His crop is sold to many of the Island's hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, and he has started selling his sprouts at the new farmers' market in the Bulls Head car park on Saturdays.

He has had tremendous support from the Island's chefs, many of whom are non-Bermudian: “They are supportive not only because the sprouts are fresher, but also because it is a Bermudian product.” He also said the produce managers at local stores have also been very helpful.

A local distributor has also been approached to get the product to the restaurants and supermarkets Island-wide. The distributor even did a longevity test between Bermuda Green's and imported sprouts, with the local sprouts winning hands down. He explained that imported sprouts take a while to get here, were subject to poor shipping conditions, and each time they were handled there was an increased chance of infection, making the sprouts slimy.

Mr. Hartley said his greatest challenge now was to educate the public about the health benefits of eating sprouts.

Although the name Bermuda Green conjures up images of fresh green sprouts, Mr. Hartley explained that yellow sprouts are actually better than green sprouts. “People shop with their eyes,” he said, meaning people are more likely to buy greener sprouts rather than yellow sprouts.

“But yellow is better! It is not pale because it is deficient in something.”

Quite the contrary. He explained that when a plant is first growing, all its energy is used trying to reach the light. Nothing eats it as it is hidden beneath leaf litter, but once it gets to the light, chlorophyl kicks in along with other noxious chemicals, to prevent grazers eating it.

“The young plant is sweeter and tenderer and milder than older plants, as it hasn't produced chemicals to protect itself yet.”

Mr. Hartley grows the sprouts at his house on Rockywold, Sandys. The bathroom of the unfinished downstairs apartment is currently used as the growing room. Ever the perfectionist, Mr. Hartley takes great care in growing his greens and explains that he rinses the seeds, then bleaches them to kill any unwanted bacteria, which he explained was mandated by law in the US. He said the seeds can tolerate a surprising amount of bleach, but he uses minimal amounts and does not use pesticides.

He then thoroughly rinses them again and then lets them soak for a couple of hours to “fluff up”.

He does this in coolers, which help to retain the heat created by germination.

The seeds are then separated into small containers and allowed to grow for a few days before they are ready to eat.

The health department has given the green light to his cottage industry.

A vegetarian, Mr. Hartley said: “People should take control of their health. We are supposed to have a diet high in fibre and low in fat,” and he added that sprouts are one of nature's most nutritional foods.

Indeed, sprouts are one of the most concentrated and truly natural sources of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids (protein) known. They are also a biogenic food (alive) capable of transferring their life energy into your body.