How To Grow Microgreens
Microgreens are a wonderful addition to anyone’s diet and are extremely easy to grow at home. Microgreens can be used in a variety of recipes to add punch of flavor and nutrition. Growing microgreens can be done in any location that receives adequate lighting, such as a window sill. The materials needed to grow microgreens are:
Dish towel
Water spray bottle
Containers:
Glass— When choosing a container to grow microgreens in, reusable glass containers are used here as an eco friendly option. They are also easy to clean for reusing. For the germination process, a container with an air tight lid helps to lock in moisture and warmth. The 1.5”-2” deep containers are the ideal depth. The size can be chosen based on how much you would want to grow. Preferably 4”x6” containers yield 1 cup of cut microgreens.
Plastic— Food grade plastic containers can also be used to grow the microgreens. Takeout food containers with tight fitting lids work best. They need to be cleaned well with soap and warm water and dried overnight before use.
When choosing a container to grow the microgreens, along with the functionality, it is important to keep in mind where they are grown. Ideally they will be grown in the kitchen, dining area or somewhere in the house where there is good sunlight. Aesthetics of the container is important so that the little farm looks pretty. Think of it like an indoor potted plant that needs to planted in a nice pot for indoor display.
Growing mats:
Hemp grow mats— Hemp mats work well as they retain moisture and are compostable. Moisture retention is an important aspect for choosing the mat to allow the seeds to attain ideal conditions for sprouting into healthy plants. The hemp mats are single use, but biodegradable. They can also be cut to fit a wide variety of containers.
There are different varieties of growing mats available, like jute or coconut husk mats. Please try these mats by buying small quantities and reading their reviews as some of them tend to absorb the smell of the petroleum cleaners or chemicals that were used for their processing. This smell can easily affect the flavor of the microgreens and can also infuse it with harmful chemicals. Choosing the right growing mat is an important step and close attention should be paid to the selection.
Hemp mats are an easy, clean and hydroponic alternative to grow the microgreens in the soil. The microgreens can be just clipped above the mat and can be consumed without washing. Microgreens grown in the soil need to be rinsed to avoid the chances of dirt in the food. This option is convenient but does effect the size and potentially the nutritive value of the greens. To know more about this comparison, please read this post.
Seeds:
The next step before growing microgreens is obtaining quality seeds because they are essential to a good harvest. Seeds from Sustainable Sprout and Rebel Gardens are good starter seeds. You can also experiment with dried whole beans, legumes, peas and spices like fenugreek, mustard and cilantro. As you continue to grow the microgreens, you can also look at some wholesale seed bags by the pound as these smaller packets add up to be expensive.
Steps:
1. Once all of the necessary supplies are gathered, locate a sunny area where microgreens will be placed to grow. Indirect sunlight is best for their optimal growth. The hemp mats should be cut to the size of the container available.
2. Place the hemp mats inside the containers and soak them in water overnight, and then drain the water. The more humid the growing environment is, the healthier the plants will be.
3. Then, sprinkle seeds over the mats so that they are about a millimeter apart. Cover the container with the lid to retain moisture and a dark color dish towels for the seeds to germinate. The humid and dark condition prevents the seed from decay and mold. Check everyday, and spray some water if it is required.
4. After the seeds sprout and show leaves (this should be after 3 days), remove the towel and lid. From this point on, the plants would have to be misted daily until harvest.
5. When the seeds begin to develop roots, they are fuzzy and white. Sometimes it looks like mold. Check carefully, and mist accordingly. The roots develop the fuzzy hair as they want to supply enough water to growing plant.
6. The greens will be ready to harvest after 7-14 days. This depends on the variety of seeds and also the the type of seeds. Use sharp, clean scissors to cut the plant right above the root. They can be cut shorter for a less stringy texture. For eg. chia stems are thin and long and can tickle the throat when consumed. Trimming them shorter or chopping them like herbs help before using. Radish stems are full of flavor and more juicy and can be kept long as they do not tickle when eaten long.
7. Greens are typically consumed in 3-4 days by harvesting the amount needed. You can store them in the refrigerator if needed. You can know more about the storing process from this blog post. Ultimately, it is extremely easy and beneficial to grow microgreens. They will add a punch of flavor to any dish or can be enjoyed on their own as a snack.
Resources:
This video has great information if you would like to know more details.