The amount of space needed to grow microgreens can vary depending on your desired scale of production. For smaller quantities, a windowsill or countertop can provide sufficient space. If you plan to grow microgreens on a larger scale, you may need a dedicated growing room equipped with appropriate lighting, ventilation, and shelving. Ultimately, the space required will depend on your specific needs and goals.
What You'll Learn
Space Requirements
You can start growing microgreens on a windowsill, countertop or even dedicate an entire room to it. If you’re just starting out, a windowsill is all the space you need; however, if you want to scale up your production, setting up a countertop or dedicated growing room is ideal.
Whatever your space requirements are, microgreens are an easy and enjoyable way to add fresh produce into your diet.
Windowsill
A windowsill is the perfect spot to watch your microgreens sprout and grow, with just a few inches of space needed for a mini-indoor garden.
When selecting seeds, it’s important to think about which varieties are best suited for growing on a windowsill. Some types of microgreens do better when grown in soil while others can be grown in water or even directly onto paper towels.
Once you’ve selected your seeds, the next step is to choose an appropriate soil type for your microgreen setup. A lightweight potting mix works well as does coco coir or even hydroponic media such as rockwool cubes.
No matter what type of medium you decide to use, make sure it will fit comfortably on your windowsill so that you can monitor and tend to your plants easily throughout their growth cycle.
Countertop
For those with limited space, a countertop setup can be an ideal way to grow microgreens without having to dedicate an entire room to the project.
Countertop gardens are the perfect solution for indoor gardening enthusiasts who want to cultivate their own microgreens in a small space.
These setups typically involve a container with drainage holes and a light source such as LED grow lights.
Depending on the size of your countertop, you may even be able to fit multiple containers so that you can easily rotate out different varieties of microgreens throughout the season.
Container gardening also offers the advantage of portability; if you decide to move or relocate, it’s easy to take your garden with you!
With careful planning and attention, it’s entirely possible to create an efficient and productive countertop garden for growing microgreens.
Dedicated Growing Room
If you’re looking to take your microgreen growing to the next level, a dedicated growing room can really suffice.
When preparing a space for this purpose, it’s important to consider the type of soil and plant selection that will be used.
The room should have plenty of natural light, as well as adequate temperature control during the day and night.
Additionally, good ventilation and air circulation are essential for ensuring successful growth of microgreens.
If possible, use grow lights in order to provide optimal light levels and ensure consistent growth throughout the year.
Depending on your desired scale of production, it may also be necessary to install an irrigation system in order to keep plants properly hydrated.
Finally, depending on the size of your growing area, you may need additional shelving or tables for organizing all your tools and supplies.
With proper planning and preparation, a dedicated growing room should provide everything you need in order to grow healthy microgreens at any time of the year!
Benefits of Growing Microgreens
You’ll love the vibrant colors and flavors of growing your own microgreens – it’s like having an edible bouquet in your kitchen! Microgreens are easy to grow and require minimal space, making them a great option for beginner gardeners.
Growing microgreens comes with many benefits that make the effort worthwhile, including:
Improved Soil Quality
- Microgreens add nutrients to soil, improving its quality and making it more fertile for future plants.
- They also help build organic matter in the soil which helps retain water, keeping the soil moist and healthy.
Increased Light Levels:
- By growing microgreens indoors, you can increase light levels which will help other plants grown in the same area thrive as well.
- This is especially beneficial if you don’t have access to natural lighting or if you need additional light sources for other houseplants.
The short growth period of microgreens also means they’re relatively low-maintenance compared to other vegetables. You don’t have to worry about pests or diseases since most of their growth takes place inside your home or on a windowsill or countertop. You also don’t need any special equipment – all you need is some potting mix, a container, and seeds! Plus, harvesting them doesn’t take long so you can start enjoying their freshness right away!
Growing microgreens offers delicious flavor combinations while promoting sustainability by reducing food waste and providing valuable nutrients to our bodies. With such little effort required to grow them at home, why not give it a try?
Supplies Needed
To start your microgreen garden, you’ll need some essential supplies to get the job done. First and foremost, you’ll need a container or tray with drainage holes. The size of the container will depend on how much room you have available to grow your microgreens; if space is limited, you can opt for smaller containers that fit on a windowsill or countertop.
You’ll also need soil or other growing mediums such as vermiculite or coco coir. Choose a potting mix specifically designed for growing greens, as it contains more nutrients than regular soil.
Next, you’ll want to invest in light sources such as LED grow lights or fluorescent fixtures so that your plants can photosynthesize and produce energy from sunlight even when conditions are less than ideal indoors. If possible, place the containers near a south-facing window for natural light during the day; however, supplemental lighting is highly recommended since most varieties of microgreens require 14-16 hours of light per day in order to thrive.
You’ll also need proper ventilation and temperature control in order to keep your plants healthy while they’re growing indoors. Make sure any fan used has enough power to circulate air through the entire area where your crops are being grown; this will prevent them from becoming too hot during certain times of day. Additionally, be sure to keep temperatures between 65–75°F (18–24°C) at all times by using an indoor thermometer if necessary!
Finally, make sure you have scissors on hand for harvesting once your crops are ready – and don’t forget about water! Microgreens require frequent hydration throughout their growth cycle, but don’t overdo it: give them just enough moisture so they’re not sitting in pools of water but still remain moist at all times.
Tips for Growing Microgreens
With the right supplies and a few helpful tips, you can easily cultivate your own microgreen garden indoors! Setting realistic goals and planning for success will help ensure that your growing experience is satisfying and rewarding.
Some of the health benefits of microgreens include improved digestion, increased energy levels, reduced inflammation, higher nutrient density than their mature counterparts, and more.
To get started on the right path with your microgreen garden, it’s important to choose an appropriate growing space. Depending on how much room you have available and how large you want your harvest to be, you can choose to grow microgreens in small spaces such as a windowsill or countertop or dedicate an entire room for this purpose.
Next up is deciding which kinds of microgreens you’d like to grow. There are many varieties available so it’s important to determine what types are best suited for your climate and region before selecting seeds or seedlings.
Once those decisions have been made, it’s time to prepare the soil by mixing in compost or natural fertilizers according to package instructions. The last step before planting is setting up proper drainage systems so that excess water doesn’t accumulate in the container or tray where the plants are growing. This can be done with porous materials like pebbles placed at the bottom of containers; this allows any extra water to drain away quickly while also preventing root rot from developing due to over-saturation of water in soil.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy a flourishing crop of fresh homegrown microgreens!
Harvesting and Storage
Harvesting your microgreens at the right time is essential for optimal flavor and texture. To harvest, simply cut the plant 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the soil line using scissors or a sharp knife.
When it comes to storing your microgreens, keep in mind that they have a short shelf life—usually about 4-7 days. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for best results.
When to Harvest
You’ll know it’s time to reap the rewards of your hard work when your microgreens are ready to harvest! Generally, most varieties of microgreens are ready for harvesting within 7-14 days after planting. Different types of microgreens will require different harvesting strategies and soil preparation techniques, so be sure to research the best approach for each type before you start growing.
Some common indicators that it’s time to harvest include leaves becoming larger than expected size or a change in color from light green to a richer hue. When harvesting, use scissors or a sharp knife and cut just above ground level. Doing this allows for additional regrowth if desired.
After harvesting, make sure you clean off any dirt or debris from the greens before storing them in an airtight container in a cool place away from direct sunlight.
How to Store
Once you’ve harvested your microgreens, it’s time to store them properly so they stay fresh and tasty! To ensure food safety, it’s important to select the right container for storage.
Containers should be clean, moisture-resistant, and airtight. It’s also important to make sure that any containers used are suitable for refrigerator use. Additionally, if you plan to freeze your microgreens for longer storage times, it’s best practice to transfer them into a freezer-safe bag or container before freezing.
When storing large quantities of microgreens at once, a tray with a lid can work well. This allows you to keep the greens organized in one place while ensuring that they do not get squashed or damaged when stored in the fridge or freezer.
Additionally, if you plan on growing multiple varieties of microgreens at once, having separate trays with lids can help keep each variety separate from another while still allowing easy access when needed.
