DIY microgreens can be easily grown at home with minimal equipment. To start, select a growing container, a growing medium, and the desired microgreen seeds. Plant the seeds according to the instructions on the seed packet, and provide adequate light and moisture for the seeds to germinate and grow. Harvest the microgreens when they are ready, and enjoy!
Have you ever wanted to grow your own microgreens, but don’t have the space or resources for a full-scale garden? Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s easier than you think! DIY microgreens at home are easy and fun. You can find all the supplies you need without breaking the bank, and with very little effort you’ll be harvesting delicious greens in no time.
Whether you’re looking to save money on grocery bills or just want to get creative in the kitchen, planting and caring for your own microgreens is an enjoyable experience that anyone can do. From choosing what kinds of seeds to buy, to getting started growing indoors or outdoors – there are so many options available. Plus, once they start sprouting it won’t take long before they’re ready to harvest and enjoy!
With my step-by-step guide, even first-time gardeners will learn how easy it is to plant, care for, and enjoy their own DIY microgreens at home. Now let’s get started!
What You'll Learn
Benefits Of Growing Microgreens At Home
Growing microgreens at home is a great way to gain the many benefits of these tiny nutrient powerhouses. Microgreens are known for their high levels of nutrition, often containing up to 40 times higher concentrations than mature vegetables and herbs. They give you all the health benefits that come with consuming tons of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other beneficial compounds in one small serving.
Another benefit of growing your own microgreens is cost savings. Purchasing them from grocery stores or farmers markets can be expensive due to their popularity and short shelf-life, but when you grow your own they’re much cheaper! Plus, if you have kids who love snacking on greens like kale chips or sprouts, it’s easy to make sure they get plenty without breaking the bank.
Finally, growing microgreens yourself has environmental advantages too. You control what goes into your soil and plants – no harmful chemicals or pesticides here! And because there’s no packaging involved (just seeds!), less resources go into getting them onto your plate. Plus, harvesting time for most varieties only takes around two weeks so you don’t have to wait long before enjoying fresh microgreens in salads or smoothies.
With all of these benefits combined – nutrition, cost savings, environmental advantages as well as convenience and time saved – it’s clear why more people are turning towards DIY microgreen gardening! Moving forward we’ll discuss the supplies needed to get started growing delicious microgreens at home.
Supplies Needed To Grow Microgreens
Did you know that microgreens contain up to 40 times more nutrients than their mature counterparts? Growing your own is a great way to get the most nutrition out of your food. Here’s what you need:
- Microgreen Seeds
- Growing Trays
- Potting Soil
- Fertilizer
- Water Sprayer
Microgreen seeds come in many varieties, so choose whatever type you prefer and can easily find. You don’t need much; just 1-2 teaspoons per tray should do the trick! Next, pick up some growing trays with holes for drainage. These are available at most gardening stores or online. After that, it’s time to fill them with potting soil. Make sure to select one with good aeration and water retention properties like peat moss. Finally, add a bit of fertilizer for extra nutrients and top off each tray with water using a spray bottle.
Now that all your supplies have been gathered, it’s time to start planting and preparing the soil for optimal growth conditions
Planting And Soil Preparation
I’m getting ready to plant my microgreens, and the first step is soil preparation. I need a planting mix that has good drainage and will provide all the essential nutrients for my greens.
| Soil Preparation | Hydroponic Medium |
|---|---|
| Planting Mix | Growing Trays |
| Microgreen Seeds | Water Reservoirs |
To start, I’ll be using a traditional potting mix with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. If I want to try hydroponics instead, then I’ll need some growing trays and water reservoirs as well as a hydroponic medium such as perlite or rockwool cubes. Then it’s time to add the seeds! I sprinkle them over the top of the soil or place them in small rows on top of the medium. With everything set up and ready, now it’s time to begin caring for my microgreens.
Caring For Your Microgreens
Now that you’ve prepped your soil, it’s time to start caring for your microgreens. Caring for microgreens involves providing the right amount of water and light, as well as ensuring they get enough nutrients and are protected from pests.
Watering is a key element in keeping your microgreens healthy. Depending on the climate and other conditions, you may need to give them more or less water than usual. You’ll want to make sure the soil stays moist but not soggy so that the roots can absorb all of their necessary nutrients without getting over-saturated with water. It’s also important to note that different types of microgreens require different amounts of watering; some need more frequent watering than others.
Light is essential for proper growth and development of your microgreens. Generally speaking, most varieties do best when given either natural sunlight or artificial grow lights. If using natural sunlight, aim for 6-8 hours per day; if growing indoors under artificial lighting, aim for 16-18 hours per day. The exact requirements will vary depending on the type of microgreen you’re growing and how close they are to the light source.
It’s also important to ensure that your microgreens have access to adequate nutrients throughout their growth cycle. A balanced fertilizer should be applied every couple weeks or so during this period – check with your local gardening store or online retailer for specific instructions on which fertilizers work best with each variety of greens. Additionally, keep an eye out for any signs of pests such as aphids or mites, then take action by using organic pest control methods like neem oil sprays or insecticidal soap solutions.
With all these elements taken care of properly, you’ll soon be ready to harvest and enjoy your delicious homegrown microgreens!
Harvesting And Eating Your Microgreens
Harvesting and eating your microgreens can be a rewarding experience:
Preparing for harvest:
- Check the plants for maturity.
- Gather supplies, such as scissors or knife, cutting board, container to store greens.
Harvesting microgreens:
- Cut off leaves at soil level with sharp scissors or knife.
- Rinse gently in cold water to remove any dirt particles.
Eating microgreens:
- Store them in a plastic bag or airtight container in refrigerator.
- Use immediately in salads, sandwiches, soups or other recipes that call for fresh herbs or vegetables.
- Try cooking them lightly by sautéing or steaming – this will bring out their flavor even more!
Microgreens are an excellent source of nutrition and have many health benefits so make sure to incorporate them into your diet regularly. Experiment with different combinations and find new ways of incorporating them into meals to maximize their taste and nutritional value!
Conclusion
Growing microgreens at home is a fun and rewarding activity that allows us to enjoy nutritious, delicious greens all year round! We can feel proud of the fact that we are providing our families with healthy food while enjoying some time spent outdoors. Plus, it’s way cheaper than buying them in the store- who doesn’t love saving money?
It’s no wonder why so many people are jumping on board this trend and giving it a go. As if growing your own flavorful veggies isn’t enough incentive, think about how much time you’ll save by not having to run out to the grocery store every week for fresh produce. Not only will you be able to have fresh greens at your fingertips whenever you want, but you’ll also be helping reduce waste from plastic packaging and transportation costs associated with purchasing from stores.
The next time you’re feeling inspired and ready for an adventure in gardening, consider trying out DIY microgreens! You won’t regret it; between harvesting your own tasty crops and avoiding unnecessary trips to the supermarket, there really aren’t any downsides here. With just a little bit of effort, anybody can become a successful microgreen farmer – so get growing today!
