Are you looking for a fun and rewarding way to add variety to your diet? Microgreens are a great option! Not only are they delicious, but many varieties can be grown easily in any home kitchen. This article will provide an overview of some simple microgreen varieties that even the novice grower can enjoy.
Microgreens have seen a surge in popularity due to their convenience, flavor, and nutritional value. As such, there is now an ever-growing selection of microgreens available on the market, from classic favorites like kale and radish sprouts to more exotic choices such as cress or sunflower shoots. But why bother with store-bought options when it’s so easy to cultivate these mini vegetables yourself? With minimal equipment and effort required, anyone can become a proficient microgreen farmer.
In this article we’ll cover five types of microgreens that are especially beginner friendly: pea shoots, broccoli raab, arugula, mustard greens, and Chinese cabbage. We’ll discuss how each type performs best under different growing conditions and what flavors you can expect from each crop – all while keeping things concise enough for time-strapped gardeners who still want results! So let’s get started!
What You'll Learn
Types Of Easy-To-Grow Microgreens
Microgreens are a great way to enjoy the freshness and flavor of homegrown produce. They can also be used as toppings for salads, soups or sandwiches to give dishes an extra burst of flavor. Here’s a look at some of the most popular and easy-to-grow microgreens:
- Radish Sprouts: These have a spicy kick that adds zest to any dish. They’re fast growing and will be ready in just 10 days after planting.
- Broccoli Sprouts: This type of sprout has more mild flavor than radish sprouts but still packs plenty of nutritional benefits. It usually takes about 7-10 days before they’re ready to harvest.
- Sunflower Shoots: This is one of the easiest types of microgreen to grow because it germinates quickly and only needs minimal care once planted. In under two weeks you’ll have your own sunflower shoots!
- Kale Greens: Kale greens offer lots of vitamins A, C, E and K which makes them a healthful addition to any meal. You can expect these greens to mature within 2-3 weeks from planting time.
- Pea Shoots: Sweet pea shoots add a delightful crunchy texture to salads or wraps when eaten raw or lightly cooked. Peas take around 10 days before they’re ready for harvesting so make sure you plan ahead if you want peas on hand soon!
Choosing the right variety for your particular climate conditions is important when growing microgreens as different varieties may not fare well in certain climates. Knowing this information ahead of time could save you from disappointment down the line. With these tips in mind, let’s move on to discussing harvesting and storing methods for those fresh microgreens!
Harvesting And Storing Tips
As the age-old adage goes, time is of the essence when it comes to harvesting and storing microgreens. With that in mind, let us look at some harvesting techniques, storage tools, and shelf-life information for these tasty greens.
When it comes to harvesting microgreens, you should use sharp scissors or hand pruners to trim them close to the soil line. Be sure to store your harvested microgreens in an airtight container with a damp paper towel inside so they can stay fresher longer. The proper storage temperature for most microgreens ranges between 32°F and 41°F (0°C – 5°C). This will keep your harvest from wilting too quickly while also preventing mold growth due to high humidity levels.
It’s important to remember that properly stored microgreens have a relatively short shelf life; typically 7 days before they start losing their flavor and texture. If you plan on keeping your greens longer than that time period, consider freezing them instead. To do this, simply blanch them first before freezing in order to preserve the color and nutrients better during long term storage.
To ensure optimal results when growing your own microgreens, follow these simple tips for harvesting and storing them correctly—it could mean all the difference between success and failure! Now let’s move onto troubleshooting common issues related to growing microgreens.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Growing microgreens can be a fun and rewarding activity, but sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Here are some tips for troubleshooting common issues you may encounter when growing your own microgreens.
Troubleshooting Tips:
| Problem | Suggested Solution |
|---|---|
| Watering Mistakes | Make sure that the soil is damp at all times, not overly wet or dry. Check the moisture level of the soil regularly by pressing down on it with your finger. If it feels cold and clammy then there’s too much water; if it doesn’t stick together at all then it needs more watering. |
| Poor Germination | Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours prior to planting to help speed up germination time. Make sure to keep the seedlings out of direct sunlight until they have sprouted enough leaves so as not to burn them off. Also, make sure you’re using fresh, viable seeds (check expiration date). |
| Pest Control | If aphids or other pests appear on your plants, use insecticidal soap or neem oil mixed with water to spray onto affected plants. Take care when spraying solutions directly onto plants as certain solutions can damage delicate foliage or roots. You can also plant companion crops like marigolds near your microgreen beds which act as natural pest deterrents and attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs! |
| Light Requirements | Microgreens need 6-8 hours of indirect light per day in order to grow properly. Place trays close to a south facing window or under fluorescent lights set 12 inches above tray tops for best results (turn lights on/off manually each day). When harvesting mature greens, move trays away from any artificial light source first before cutting them down so they do not become leggy due to lack of darkness during night cycles. |
When growing microgreens, maintaining proper watering levels, ensuring good germination rates, controlling pests naturally and providing adequate lighting will ensure success! With these simple steps and helpful hints, you’ll be able enjoy freshly harvested homegrown microgreens in no time!
Soil Requirements For Growing Microgreens
It is a common theory that healthy soil is the foundation for growing any type of plant, and microgreens are no exception. To test this, let’s investigate the ideal soil requirements to grow these nutrient-rich greens.
The first step in preparing your soil for microgreen growth is to determine which type of soil you have in your garden or planter box. Loam soils with high fertility are recommended as they provide adequate drainage while still allowing water retention. If your soil does not meet these criteria, it can be amended by adding compost or other organic matter to increase its fertility and structure.
Next, you’ll want to pay close attention to how much moisture each variety needs throughout its lifespan. Microgreens require moist but not soggy conditions during their germination stage; otherwise, they may become susceptible to disease and rot quickly. Additionally, ensure that there are enough nutrients incorporated into the soil prior to seeding; fertilizers such as fishmeal or kelp meal work well here.
Conclusion
Growing microgreens is a great way to get fresh, nutrient-rich greens into your diet without spending too much money or time. With the right soil and supplies, you can easily grow delicious microgreens in just a few weeks! Plus, recent studies have shown that up to 40% of the vitamins and minerals found in vegetables are concentrated in their sprouts – so growing them yourself will definitely give you an amazing nutritional boost.
If you’re looking for an easy way to add more nutrition to your meals I highly recommend giving microgreens a try. They’re easy to care for, don’t take up much space, and offer tons of health benefits – all while adding flavor and texture to salads, soups, sandwiches and other dishes. So why not give it a go? You might be surprised at how quickly they’ll become part of your regular routine!
No matter what type of microgreen you choose to grow, with minimal effort and resources you can enjoy tasty greens year round! Just remember that proper soil preparation is key – if done correctly, you’ll be able to reap the rewards of this superfood from the comfort of your own home.
