Requires: microgreen seeds, a shallow container, a spray bottle, potting mix, a war and sunny windowsill, scissors
If you’re only just starting out with growing your own food, microgreens are an excellent beginner’s project. Microgreens are a luxury food item, often seen on menus at high end restaurants as garnishes or for salads. While they’re expensive to purchase, they’re rather cost efficient to grow yourself.
Microgreens are a variety of premature, edible greens that can be harvested 7-21 after germination, when they reach a height of about 2 inches. There are a plethora of different types of microgreens, each with their own nutritional benefits and unique flavors. However, the easiest microgreens to grow are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, mustard, chia, sunflower or buckwheat microgreens. What’s amazing about microgreens is that they are packed with nutrients, specifically potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and copper. While it varies for different plants, microgreens can contain up 40 times more nutrients than their fully mature counterparts.
Here are the steps to growing these nutrient rich plants right in your home. Be sure to first read the instructions on the seed packet for any special deviations that may exist in the planting process.
Begin by filling your shallow container with an inch or two of moistened potting soil. For containers, you can use anything from pie pans to take out boxes.
Scatter your chosen microgreen seeds amongst the soil. Press the seeds into the soil using your hand.
Cover the seed with a thin layer of more soil and mist the soil with your spray bottle
Place your microgreens by a window sill where they will get 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. In the winter months, they may need more sunlight.
Mist your microgreens once or twice daily to keep the soil moist
After about 2-3 weeks, when your microgreens look like they’re ready to harvest and have reached a height of about 2 inches, cut the microgreens at the bottom of the stem with scissors
Be sure to rinse your microgreens thoroughly before preparing them to be eaten. Microgreens can be stored in a plastic bag in your refrigerator, but are best served fresh.
For a full list of microgreens you can grow at home check out this site.
For ideas about how to prepare your microgreens, check out these recipes.