Fresh microgreens, a valuable addition to any dish: These small yet potent greens deliver a burst just by looking at them, and their powerful nutrition makes them an ideal supplement to fine dining or a balanced diet.
Whether you're preparing garnish at a restaurant or meal prepping at home, microgreens add texture, flavor, and nutrition. Growing microgreens takes minimal equipment, and they're a great starter crop if you're new to gardening.
They're easy to grow indoors in a small space, so it's a great option for those with limited room or balcony gardeners. With a little time and patience, you can have your very own microgreen harvest, ready to enrich any dish.
Check the menu of a fine restaurant or the produce section of a specialty grocery store, and you're likely to spy microgreens: tiny, delicate greens that add color, texture and flavor to a variety of foods as a garnish or ingredient.
Start growing fresh, flavourful sprouts and tasty leafy microgreens straight away. The results you’ll get are fast, cheap, easy, and delicious. Fresh food, grown right in your kitchen – where you need it most.
What Are Microgreens?
Microgreens are the first true leaves produced from a seedling of vegetables and herbs that are about 2-3 inches tall.
There are so many varieties of plants including turnips, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, chard, lettuce, spinach, arugula, amaranth, cabbage, beets, parsley, and basil, to name a few, that can be grown as a microgreen for a wholesome and nutritious addition to your daily meals.
Microgreens are ideal for you if you are struggling with time and space for your garden but want to start eating healthy. Some of the reasons for growing your own batch of this superfood are:
Easy to Grow:
Microgreens are incredibly easy to grow due since they are harvested at the first true leaf stage and can be grown effortlessly on a sunny windowsill.
Quick to harvest:
Microgreens get ready to eat in just two weeks.
Packed with flavors:
Though microgreens are tiny, the concentration of flavors makes them a favorite of chefs and food lovers around the world.
Loaded with nutrients:
According to a study done by the University of Maryland, microgreens have a higher concentration of nutrients than mature vegetables and herbs with some microgreen varieties having up to 40 times more nutrition than grown vegetables.
Related page: "Grow Your Own Food with Hydroponics
What You Need to Grow Microgreens
Microgreen Seeds
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Grow Mat
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Seed Sprouter
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Light Source
Microgreens require an essential amount of sunlight and natural light for at least 3-4 hours a day. A bright windowsill or a balcony that receives sunlight will be a good spot for your plant.
Water
Water is a necessary element for Microgreens. The soil being used is to be kept moist at all times. A hand sprinkler works best for the plant, due to its micro outlets that do not let open a huge downpour of water. We recommend you use fresh tap water instead of any chemically treated water for your Microgreens.
Related page: "Grow Your Own Food with Hydroponics
How to Grow
Soak seeds for 6-8 hours, or according to package directions.
Soak the growing mat with water, and place it in a seed sprouter or baking dish.
Spread out the seeds.
Cover and place near a window until the seeds sprout.
Remove lid, and let grow until vibrant leaves appear.
Water daily.
Plant Nutrients
While microgreens can sprout on their own, giving them a boost of essential minerals can significantly improve your harvest. Using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with 200 to 350 ppm of balanced nutrient will enhance their growth. Remember, the ideal concentration might vary depending on your setup, so adjust accordingly!
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Microgreens harvest
Depending on the species and the growing conditions microgreens may be ready to harvest in a few days or in a couple of weeks after germination is complete. Microgreens may be harvested using a clean sharp knife or a pair of scissors right before being used for any preparation.
Washing microgreens in fresh drinking water before consuming them is always recommended, however, be aware that microgreens' plant tissues are very gentle, and their shelf life may be substantially reduced after washing.
An alternative could be to bag and store microgreens at low temperatures and wash them right before they are used.
After harvesting your microgreens, if your growing medium is organic you can compost it, while you can wash and re-use your planting trays or containers.
SOME TYPES OF MICROGREENS AND HOW THEY LOOK LIKE WHEN HARVESTED
Where to Buy Everything You Need to Grow Microgreens:
How to Grow Microgreens Using a Sprouting Jar
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Why Grow Your Own Microgreens?
Microgreens are a rewarding and engaging gardening project, ideal for both beginners and kids. These small greens are a feast for the eyes and palate, making them a tasty addition to any meal.
While you can find them in stores, they can be quite pricey and their shelf life is limited. Growing microgreens at home is the perfect solution! They are easy to grow and require little space, such as a windowsill or small container.
Simply pluck the microgreens you need and enjoy them fresh from your own garden. With microgreens, the whole family can participate and learn the exciting experience of watching small seeds sprout and grow into delicious greens.
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