Do you want to take your culinary creations up a notch? Then why not try growing your own microgreens? Microgreens are nutrient-dense and incredibly flavorful, making them the perfect addition to any dish. DIY microgreen trays make it easier than ever for anyone – regardless of experience level – to start their own microgreen garden at home! In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about creating your very own DIY microgreen tray.
Whether you’re looking for something fun and easy to do with the kids or hoping to add some fresh produce into your diet, there’s no denying that growing your own food is immensely rewarding. With DIY microgreen trays, you can grow delicious greens in just a few weeks without having to invest in expensive equipment or an outdoor garden space. Not only are they simple and affordable but these trays also require minimal maintenance once planted; all you have to do is water them regularly.
From sunflower shoots and pea sprouts to radish leaves and broccoli buds, the possibilities are endless when it comes to what types of edible plants you can cultivate in your DIY microgreen tray. Get ready for a gardening adventure like no other as we explore how you can create your very own indoor oasis with some soil, seeds, and sunshine!
What You'll Learn
Supplies Needed To Grow Microgreens At Home
Growing your own microgreens at home is a simple process that can be likened to assembling the parts of a puzzle. To start, you will need some basic supplies: microgreen seeds, seed starting mix, trays and grow lights (optional). With these items in hand, you’ll have everything necessary for sowing success!
When selecting microgreen seeds, it’s important to choose varieties suitable for indoor growing conditions. Many popular greens such as arugula, kale, radish and broccoli are great choices for your first crop. The same goes for the seed-starting mix – look for an organic blend with good drainage properties. Once you’ve got this sorted out, it’s time to get started on assembling the tray.
Trays come in all shapes and sizes; however, shallow containers work best since they provide plenty of room for roots to expand and allow excess water to collect easily at the bottom. Make sure it has enough holes or slits in the bottom so any extra moisture can drain away and won’t cause root rot. If using grow lights is part of your plan then opt for LED bulbs which use less energy than other types of lighting. Finally, grab yourself a watering can or spray bottle so you can give your sprouts regular drinks when needed.
Now armed with all these essential supplies, you’re ready to move onto building your DIY microgreens tray!
Steps For Building A DIY Microgreens Tray
Building your own DIY microgreens tray is an easy and cost-effective way to get started growing. All you need are a few simple materials, such as wooden boards, screws, and soil mix. Here’s how to construct your own microgreens grow tray at home.
First, cut four pieces of wood into the shape of a shallow rectangular box that will serve as the base for your tray. Secure them together with screws on each corner so they stay in place. Then line the bottom of the box with landscape fabric or felt paper before adding several inches of soil mix. Make sure there is enough room for drainage holes near the bottom.
Next, it’s time to plant your seeds! Place some organic seed starting mix over the top of your soil mix and press down lightly to create an even layer across the entire surface area where you plan on sowing your seeds. Scatter small amounts of mixed greens seeds evenly onto this layer and cover them up with more seed starting mix until barely covered by soil. Mist the whole surface with water from a spray bottle and then cover the tray completely using plastic wrap or clear lids so moisture stays trapped inside while germination takes place.
Now all that’s left is set up somewhere warm, sunny spot indoors or outdoors depending on weather conditions outside and wait for those first little seedlings to start popping through! With proper care and attention, these DIY trays should yield delicious fresh microgreens ready for harvesting about two weeks later – perfect for spicing up salads, sandwiches and more! Transitioning now into caring for your new crop…
Caring For Your Microgreens
Caring for your microgreens is a delicate balance of watering, light requirements and temperature control. Ensuring that these conditions are optimized can result in an abundant harvest of healthy greens.
When it comes to watering your microgreens, consistency is key. Aim for the soil to be lightly moist at all times – not too wet or dry – as this will help promote optimal growth. If you’re using a tray system with drainage holes, make sure to water from the top until some liquid begins draining out the bottom. This helps ensure even moisture throughout the soil while avoiding over-watering.
Light plays an essential role in growing microgreens, providing energy needed by plants to photosynthesize and grow. Indirect sunlight works best; if grown indoors, place near a window where they get plenty of natural light but avoid direct sun exposure which may scorch them. For most varieties, 8-12 hours of indirect sunlight per day should do the trick!
Temperature also needs to be taken into account when growing microgreens – cooler temperatures slow down their growth rate whilst warmer temperatures encourage faster growth rates (optimal being between 15°C and 20°C). That said, try composting your microgreens after harvesting instead of throwing away leftover trays or soil blocks – composted microgreens become nutrient rich fertilizer for future crops.
With consistent care and attention given to watering, light levels and temperature optimization you’ll soon have homegrown greens ready for harvesting and enjoying!
Harvesting And Enjoying Your Homegrown Greens
Harvesting your microgreens is an exciting part of the process. Once they reach maturity, it’s time to pick them and enjoy! To harvest, simply snip each stem at the base with scissors or cutters. Make sure you leave enough stem for regrowth if desired. After harvesting, store any unused greens in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Now that you have harvested your own nutritious microgreens, how can you best enjoy them? One great way is by incorporating them into recipes as fresh garnishes or ingredients. Microgreens are incredibly versatile and work well in salads, sandwiches, smoothies and more. Many chefs use microgreens for adding flavor complexity and visual appeal to their dishes too. For ideas on specific recipes to make with your homegrown greens, check out some online resources like TheSpruceEats or Epicurious.
The nutritional benefits associated with eating microgreens should not be overlooked either. These tiny plants pack a powerful punch when it comes to vitamins A, C and K as well as minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron. They also contain protein which makes them a great addition to vegetarian diets. Eating these nutrient-dense foods regularly has been linked to improved overall health so don’t forget about those microgreens!
With all this talk of nutrition, flavor and convenience; it’s hard not to get excited about growing your own microgreens indoors. It’s fun, rewarding and delicious – what more could you ask for? So go ahead – give growing your own mini vegetables a try today!
Conclusion
Growing microgreens at home is a great way to get nutritious greens in your diet without having to rely on grocery stores. Plus, it’s an easy and cost-effective project that you can do with minimal supplies. Building a DIY microgreens tray takes only minutes and provides the perfect environment for those tasty little sprouts!
Once your tray is built, all you have to do is add some soil and seeds, water regularly, provide plenty of light and watch them grow! With proper care, you’ll be able to harvest delicious microgreens within just a few weeks. Imagine how satisfying it will feel when you pluck fresh leaves from your own homegrown garden – no store-bought produce can compare!
So don’t wait any longer – start planning out your own DIY microgreens tray today so you can reap the rewards of eating nutrient-rich vegetables right from your very own backyard. And if that doesn’t convince you, then think about the money you’ll save in the long run too! So why not give this simple project a try? You won’t regret it.
