To grow arugula microgreens, choose a well-draining growing medium, such as soil or coco coir. Sow the arugula seeds evenly, cover them lightly, and provide ample light and moisture to support healthy growth and development.
What You'll Learn
Select a Growing Container
Choosing the right container for growing arugula microgreens is key to success, so let’s get started! When selecting a container, size does matter. Too small and the microgreens will be cramped; too large and they’ll take much longer to grow.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a shallow container that has enough surface area for your desired quantity of plants. Secondly, you need to consider what type of soil you want to use in the container. A light potting mix or seed starter soil works great for this purpose. Be sure to choose one with lots of organic matter such as compost or aged manure mixed in – this will provide necessary nutrients for optimal growth.
Additionally, you should also make sure the soil drains well; otherwise too much moisture can cause root rot and other issues with the plants’ health. Once you’ve chosen your container size and soil type, it’s time to start growing!
Make sure there’s ample light around your containers – either from natural sunlight or artificial lighting – and keep it moist by watering regularly but not excessively (too much water can lead to waterlogging). With these steps in place, you’re on your way towards successfully growing arugula microgreens!
Choose a Growing Medium
Selecting the right growing medium is key for successful harvests; make sure it’s light and airy enough to promote root development, yet absorbent enough to retain moisture. Arugula microgreens can be grown with either soil or hydroponics.
Soil-based media should be well-aerated and lightweight, such as a coco coir mix. When using soil, make sure to choose an organic potting mix that contains plenty of nutrients. If you’re concerned about pathogens in the soil, you can opt for a soilless mix such as peat moss or perlite which are both sterile and easy to use. You’ll also want to consider adding additional components such as vermiculite or composted manure to provide additional nutrients and help retain moisture. Keep in mind that different soils may require different amounts of water so be sure to adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
For hydroponic systems, you’ll need a good quality nutrient solution formulated specifically for microgreens. There are many options available including rockwool cubes, expanded clay pellets, foam inserts, and more. Generally speaking, these materials will all work fine as long as they are designed specifically for hydroponics and contain enough oxygenation potential for the roots of your plants. Additionally, make sure the nutrient solution is correctly calibrated according to manufacturer instructions in order to ensure optimal growth conditions for your arugula microgreens.
Both types of growing media should have good drainage capabilities as well as pH levels that are suitable for arugula growth. Finally, regardless of which system you choose it’s important that the growing medium has adequate drainage so excess water can escape without causing any problems with root rot or fungal disease affecting your crop yield. Be sure to monitor your plants closely during their growth cycle so any issues can be identified quickly and corrected before they become too severe.
Sow Seeds
Once you’ve chosen a growing medium, it’s time to sow your seeds! When planting arugula microgreens, the best way is to sprinkle the tiny seeds evenly on top of the soil or rooting medium. You don’t need to cover them with additional soil because they’re so small that light helps them germinate.
The ideal planting depth for arugula microgreens is 1/8 inch below the surface. Deeper planting depths may result in poor growth and slow germination times.
When sowing seeds, make sure that there’s adequate moisture around the seedlings and that they’re not exposed to direct sunlight until after they’ve emerged from the soil. This will help prevent drying out and wilting of young seedlings. Additionally, when watering newly-planted seeds, use lukewarm water as cold water can shock young plants and cause damage.
To ensure an optimal harvest time for your arugula microgreens, be sure to provide adequate amounts of light and water throughout their growth period. Place your container near a window where it’ll get at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight each day or consider using grow lights if you’re growing indoors. Keep in mind that too much light can also cause damage, so adjust as necessary depending on how quickly your plants are growing.
Similarly, check the moisture level regularly by poking your finger into the soil. If it feels dry, then add more water but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot or other problems with plant health.
Finally, once you’ve established proper lighting and watering routines for your arugula microgreens, you can expect harvesting within 2-3 weeks after sowing seeds depending on environmental conditions and variety grown. Baby greens should be ready within 4-7 days while larger varieties may take up to 10 days before they’re ready for harvest!
Provide Adequate Light
To ensure healthy growth, it’s important to provide adequate light and moisture for your microgreens. You’ll need at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight each day or consider using grow lights if planting indoors. Maximizing light exposure is essential to help the plants reach their full potential.
You can use a reflective surface like aluminum foil to maximize the available light and reduce heat build-up on the leaves. If you are growing indoors, consider using an LED grow light that has adjustable settings so you can control the amount of light your microgreens receive.
When providing ample light for your microgreens, it’s important to manage the heat as well. Make sure that their environment does not become too hot, as this will cause them to dry out quickly. To avoid this issue, try setting up fans or air conditioning units in your growing area to keep temperatures cool and consistent throughout the day. Additionally, make sure that any nearby windows have window treatments such as shades or curtains that block out direct sunlight during peak hours when temperatures are high outside.
It’s also important to note that different microgreen varieties may require different amounts of light exposure depending on their specific needs. For example, arugula is a low-light crop and only requires 4-6 hours of indirect sunlight per day; however, other greens such as kale and lettuce need more intense lighting in order to thrive. Be sure to research each type of microgreen before deciding how much lighting they should receive in order for optimal growth and development.
Finally, investing in quality supplies like grow lights and reflectors can help increase your yields while ensuring that all of your plants receive adequate levels of illumination throughout their life cycle. With proper management and maintenance, you’ll be rewarded with lush green foliage packed full of nutrients!
Maintain Moisture Levels
Maintaining adequate moisture levels is key for successful microgreen cultivation, as too much or too little can affect the quality of your harvest. Controlling humidity and adjusting water are essential elements to keep in mind when growing arugula microgreens.
Controlling humidity:
- Make sure that the air around your arugula microgreens isn’t too dry or humid by keeping an eye on the relative humidity. A hygrometer can help you measure and monitor this number.
- If the air around your plants is too dry, try running a humidifier near them to increase humidity levels.
- If the air is too humid, make sure to open windows and ventilate properly. This’ll help lower the relative humidity level in your grow space.
Adjusting water:
- Watering plays a key role in maintaining moisture levels for your arugula microgreens.
- During germination, it’s important to keep them adequately moist but not soaking wet—you don’t want any standing water on top of the soil!
- A spray bottle filled with filtered water works nicely since it allows you to control how much liquid reaches each seedling without flooding them all at once.
Growing arugula microgreens requires careful regulation of moisture levels throughout their growth cycle. Monitoring both relative humidity and watering practices will ensure that you get healthy, high-quality harvests every time. With proper care and attention, these nutrient-packed greens can provide plenty of flavor and nutrition for many meals ahead!
Harvest and Enjoy!
Harvest your arugula microgreens when they reach the ideal size and enjoy their nutty, peppery flavor! With proper care, your crop will be ready to harvest within two to three weeks.
Depending on the variety of arugula you planted, the leaves should measure between one and two inches in length. The moment you cut them is when their flavor is at its peak, so it’s important to time your harvest accordingly.
Once harvested, you can eat them raw or cooked for a variety of nutritious benefits and delicious flavor variations. Arugula microgreens are packed with vitamins A, B6, C and K as well as minerals including calcium, iron and magnesium. They also contain antioxidants like beta carotene which helps fight free radicals in the body that cause premature aging.
Eating these nutrient-rich greens may also help improve digestion and reduce inflammation in the body. Arugula microgreens bring an intense peppery taste to any dish – perfect for adding texture or garnishing salads.
You can also add them to sandwiches for a unique crunchy bite or top soups with them for extra color and zest! For those who prefer milder flavors, try blending arugula with other greens like spinach or kale before adding it into recipes like smoothies or pesto sauces.
No matter how you choose to use your freshly harvested arugula microgreens, they will give any meal a nutritious boost of flavor that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds while providing plenty of health benefits along the way! Enjoy all that these flavorful little greens have to offer!
