Growing microgreens in a mason jar is a popular and easy method for home growers. Simply soak the seeds overnight, place them in the jar with a mesh lid, and rinse them daily. They can be harvested in as little as 5-7 days, depending on the type of microgreen.
Growing microgreens in a mason jar is the perfect way to start your own garden at home. Whether you’re looking for something easy, affordable and fun to do with kids or just want more greens on your dinner plate, this project ticks all the boxes! I’m here to tell you that anyone – regardless of experience level or available space – can be successful growing microgreens in a mason jar.
With its simple setup, there’s no need to worry about investing in fancy equipment or dedicating large amounts of time to tending your plants either. All it takes is an empty mason jar and a few common household items, plus some seeds and soil! In no time at all, you’ll be picking fresh greens straight from your kitchen countertop.
I’m excited to share my tips and tricks for making this DIY gardening project a success. Let’s get started!
What You'll Learn
Supplies Needed
Now that you know what microgreens are, it’s time to gather your supplies. You’ll need a few things before getting started: potting soil, seed trays, watering can, seed starter and tweezers. Make sure all of these items are in working order and clean them if necessary. Potting soil should be light and fluffy with plenty of organic matter so the roots have enough room to grow. Seed trays come in various sizes depending on how many plants you plan to plant. They also provide drainage for excess water which is important for healthy growth. A watering can helps make sure each tray gets an even amount of moisture without any over-watering or under-watering. Finally, a pair of tweezers will help separate delicate seeds from their packet as well as remove any weeds from the soil after planting. With these tools in hand, you’re ready to start growing! All that’s left now is preparing your mason jar for planting.
Preparing The Mason Jar
I’m ready to get started on growing my microgreens in a mason jar! The key to success is proper preparation. First things first, I need to prepare the mason jar for planting. To do this, I’ll fill it about halfway with a soil mix and add enough water to make sure everything is damp but not soggy. Then, I’ll sprinkle some of the microgreens seed into the jar before topping off the rest of the mix with more soil and lightly patting it down. Finally, I can give the jar one final misting from my water supply so that everything looks nice and even. Now, I’m all set for the planting and growing process.
Planting And Growing Process
Planting microgreens in a mason jar is an easy and fun way to grow your own food. The first step of the planting process is selecting what type of soil you want to use. You can opt for organic, non-GMO potting mix or make your own custom blend with composted materials like peat moss or coconut coir. It’s important that whatever option you choose, it should be sterile and free from weed seeds.
Once the soil has been chosen, it’s time to get started with germinating the seeds. Place a thin layer of moistened seed starting mix over the top of the soil and sprinkle some seeds on top. Make sure that they are spread evenly across the surface so they have enough room to grow without overcrowding each other. Then gently press them down into the soil before lightly misting them with water until damp. Cover the jar with plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot away from direct sunlight until sprouts appear, typically between 5-10 days depending on which crop you chose.
To ensure healthy growth, keep your microgreen plants watered by misting them at least once every day or two depending on how hot it gets inside your home or greenhouse. If possible, try to find a location where there’s indirect sunshine throughout most of the day as this will help prevent mold and mildew buildup on your greens since too much humidity isn’t good for their development either. With proper care and maintenance, these delicious little shoots will be ready for harvesting within just 2-3 weeks!
Maintenance And Care Tips
Now that we’ve discussed the planting process, let’s get to the fun part: maintenance and care tips! Believe it or not, growing microgreens in a mason jar is quite simple. You’ll be amazed at how easy it can be to keep them healthy and happy.
First things first: water frequency. Microgreens need frequent watering; about every other day for optimal growth. Don’t forget your soil should remain moist but not soggy – too much water will cause root rot and kill your greens! Light requirements are also important; make sure you provide enough light for optimum growth. Direct sunlight works best, but indirect sun is fine too.
Next up, soil types. It’s essential to use quality soil when growing microgreens in a mason jar – nothing artificial here! Organic potting mix with added compost works great for this purpose, as does well-draining peat moss with vermiculite mixed in. In addition to these soils, don’t forget about pest management and soil fertility. Use insecticidal soap when necessary to control pests like aphids and spider mites, while fertilizing periodically with liquid organic fertilizer helps ensure good nutrition for your plants throughout their lifecycle.
With proper maintenance and care techniques, you’ll have beautiful microgreens ready for harvest before you know it – so let’s move on to harvesting and eating microgreens!
Harvesting And Eating Microgreens
Harvesting and eating microgreens is an exciting way to enjoy fresh produce. I harvested my first batch of microgreens from a mason jar, and I was surprised by how quickly they had grown! The best time to harvest your microgreens is when the seed leaves are fully developed—about two weeks after planting. To do this, start by using scissors or garden shears to cut off the entire plant at soil level. Then rinse them in cold water to remove any dirt or debris from their leaves.
Once you’ve harvested your microgreens, it’s time to eat them! Eating raw microgreens adds some crunchy texture and nutrients to salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups and more. You can also cook with them too – just like cooking with any other leafy green vegetable. Try sautéing them with garlic for a delicious side dish or adding them as garnish on top of dishes such as pizza or pasta.
Storing your freshly-harvested microgreens is easy–just keep them in airtight containers in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them. They’re especially delicate so make sure not to overcrowd the container while storing them; they should have room to breathe so that they don’t spoil faster than usual. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy tasty meals made with home-grown microgreens all year round!
Conclusion
Growing microgreens in a mason jar is an easy and affordable way to bring fresh, nutritious greens into your kitchen. In addition to being delicious and full of flavor, they are packed with vitamins and minerals that can help keep you healthy. You don’t need any special equipment or supplies other than the basics – soil, seedlings, water, and sunshine! With just those four things, you can have fresh microgreens on hand all year round. What’s more, studies have shown that growing your own food yields 33% higher levels of nutrients than store-bought produce. So why not give it a try? I promise you won’t regret it!
