Storing Microgreens
The beauty of growing your own microgreens is that you don’t run out of them if you are following a growing and harvesting rotation cycle. What that means is that you start growing in one container and when they are ready to harvest, you start another batch of seeds in another container. You can clip the greens on daily basis as needed and leave the rest to continue to grow. You will have to mist them so that they don’t dry out.
Half harvested mat
Harvesting:
For the home grown microgreens use clean sharp scissors and cut the microgreens from the bottom of their stem. A sharp knife can also be used. The length will vary based on the day of harvest. Sometimes the microgreens become long and stringy. Cut them according to the length you desire. It is recommended to have 1.5” to 2” length if they are used as a garnish or a topping. They can be longer if used in smoothies and dough. Pulling the greens out with the root attached is not recommended since the fibers of the hemp mat can get attached and tangled in the roots.
You do not have to harvest all of the microgreens at the same time. Their growth is slowed down at this stage and one mat can serve you fro 4-5 days based on your consumption.
Washing:
While washing microgreens can seem like a good idea, if they are grown on hemp mats, there is no need to wash them. Also, washing the microgreens can remove nutrients, like Vitamin C. This is because Vitamin C is found in the water-based juices in vegetables and is easily washed away. If the microgreens are not grown on hemp mats, it is recommended to rinse the microgreens that were directly exposed to dirt, microorganisms, and chemicals. Shereen Lehman explains this concept in more depth here.
Storing in the fridge:
Storing microgreens in the fridge is an easy process. First, harvest the microgreens and wash them if needed. Pat the greens dry to preserve freshness and keep them in an airtight container. Tupperware, air tight glass containers and reusable silicone bags are great options for optimal freshness. The greens can be stored for up to a week before they start to wilt. If you have microgreens that are about to spoil, putting them in a smoothie is a great option for a quick and easy consumption.
The cycle of greens:
Here at Pixie-Greens, we recommend having a cycle that allows for fresh greens at any time. It is better not to store them in the fridge and harvest some when they are needed.
Identify the amount of microgreens that will be eaten in 4-5 days.
Germinate new microgreens every 4-5 days.
This cycle will allow you to have a new container to use very time you run out of the old one.
This cycle allows for continuous access to fresh microgreens which are quite literally farm to table.
The hemp mats:
The hemp mats are bio degradable. They make great addition to potting soil or yard soil when cut is small pieces. They can also be disposed off in yard waste bags during summer months. This is a one time use mat and unless you are growing the re growable greens like pea shoots or wheat grass, once the microgreens are harvested, the mats should be discarded.
