Microgreens are not only tasty, attractive, and delicious but also one of the best ways to keep your seed inventory fresh and ready for planting, according to the experts at the National Garden Bureau.
Did you know? Microgreen seeds are the exact same seeds you would plant in the garden, just harvested at a much earlier growth stage. This means you can use any leftover seeds to grow as micros and add a fresh garnish to your meals.
Which seeds can you use?
- Any vegetable with edible leaves and stems, including lettuce, arugula, Swiss chard, beets, peas, and radishes.
- Popular herbs like dill, cilantro, and basil.
- Some people will argue that tomatoes can be harvested as microgreens; however, as a best practice, we do not recommend growing plants of the Solanaceae family as their flavor is not as attractive, and consuming large amounts may cause an upset stomach.
What you need to start
Trays: While 10×20 trays are the most commonly used, smaller 10×10 and 5×5 trays also work well for growing a sampling of different seeds. For those who are short on time or don’t want to keep a close eye on their grows, self-watering trays are a great choice. Self-watering trays work by wicking up water from a basin through strands of rope into the soil.
Growing mediums: As for the best growing mediums, coconut coir is king. Any seed being grown as a microgreen will perform best in a soil-like media, as this is the closest to traditional growing conditions. However, with some practice, many seeds also grow well on hydroponic mats, such as bamboo, biostrate felt, micro mats, jute fiber, and ecotone pads.
Light Needs: Like any other crop, light plays a vital role in growing microgreens. While they can be grown with simple window light, it is best to provide a more direct source with indoor growing lights. When shopping for lights, select ones with a full or sun-white spectrum, as this will best support chlorophyll and nutrient development. While grow tents can be helpful, microgreens can easily be grown from the comfort of your kitchen counters.
Read more at National Garden Bureau for tips on growing microgreens and a list of the top 10 microgreens to grow.