Growing microgreens are a fun and tasty way to observe how quickly seeds germinate and quickly grow your own food! Microgreens are seedlings that are harvested just after the first leaves , called cotyledon leaves, have developed. Many herbs and vegetables can be grown as microgreens, some popular choices include broccoli, arugula, beets, and many more. You can grow microgreens in your windowsill or with a grow light, whatever works best for your home or classroom. After planting the seeds it only takes a week or two until it is time to harvest! Grab your supplies and get ready to grow a nutrient packed ingredient that you can use as a toppings for salads, soups, pizzas, and more!

Supplies:

• Soilless potting media

• Seeds (broccoli, sunflowers, peas, etc)

• Growing tray(s) with drainage

• Tray(s) without drainage

• Light source

• Clean scissors

• Spray bottle & a pitcher

• Water

Getting Started

Before sowing your microgreen seeds, think about these questions:

• What kinds of vegetables does your family eat? Is there a favorite?

• Can you try these vegetables as microgreens?

Let's Do It!

1. Prepare your growing trays. Microgreens can be grown in a variety of tray sizes, as long as the growing tray has drainage holes and there is a tray underneath to catch water drainage.

2. Place your soilless media ½” to 1” into the tray with drainage holes.

3. Broadcast your seeds across the entire tray, try to broadcast them evenly. You can also plant your seeds in rows. Gently press the seeds into the soilless media.

4. Place your trays in a well lit area. This could be near a window, on a windowsill, or under a grow light.

5. Use the drinking water and spray bottle to water your seeds. Continue to use the spray bottle daily until the seeds begin to germinate.

6. After the seeds begin to germinate, water the seedlings from below the tray, you can do this by adding water to the solid tray without drainage holes. Adding water to the microgreens directly could encourage diseases to develop.

7. Using clean scissors, harvest the microgreens when they are approximately 1.5-2.5” tall.

8. Give the microgreens a wash and give them a try! You can add them in a salad, soup, and so much more!

Talk It Over!

• What did your microgreens taste like?

• Did your microgreen taste like the full grown vegetable?

• Do all microgreens grow at the same rate? Which grew faster or slower?

• Can you plant all different types of microgreens together? Why or why not?

• What factors do you think affect the growth rate of microgreens?

• What other kinds of plants might you grow?

• Why is it important to care for living things?

There are so many kinds of microgreens to grow. Which are your favorite?

Have you ever watched a seed begin to grow? The roots will burst from the seed and then leaves will start to open. This process is called germination. How long does this take? Do all seeds germinate at the same time? What do the seeds need to germinate? Water? Light? What other questions do you have about germination?

Supplies

• Small jewelry baggies

• Cotton balls

• Water

• 1-Hole puncher or something sharp (ask an adult if you need help)

• Yarn or ribbon

• Basil seeds

Let's Do It!

1. Take a pinch of basil seeds and ask yourself, “What is seed germination?”

2. Watch the short video clip of a basil seed germinating

3. What did you observe? What do you think seeds need in order to grow?

4. Pour a few drops of water onto your seed.

5. Wait a few minutes and the seed coat should start to break down and form what looks like mucus.

6. The basil seeds are starting to germinate!

To fully observe the process of seed germination, make a germination necklace:

1. Take your small baggie and punch a hole in the top

2. Dip the cotton ball into water, gently squeezing out the excess water.

3. Putting the basil seeds on the ball and slip it inside the baggie.

Talk it Over!

1. What do seeds need in order to germinate?

2. Why are seeds so important?

3. What can you learn from caring for seeds?

4. Did you know that soaked sweet basil seeds (called sabja seeds in India) are used in Indian culture to make a drink that helps digestion? What other cultures use seeds for food or health? (windows and mirrors!)