Microgreens encompass a wide variety of plants that can be grown for their edible and nutritious leaves. Almost any leafy green or herb can be cultivated as microgreens, providing a diverse range of options to choose from for both culinary and health purposes.
What You'll Learn
Types of Plants that Can Be Grown as Microgreens
You can grow a wide variety of plants as microgreens. These include leafy greens like kale and spinach, herbs such as basil and parsley, and sprouts like radish and mung bean.
These tiny plants are packed with flavor, nutrition, and color. They make a great addition to salads, sandwiches, or even smoothies!
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like kale, spinach, and arugula are perfect for growing as microgreens. These vegetables are highly nutritious, making them a great addition to any diet. Growing them as microgreens is an excellent way to reap the benefits of these vegetables without having to wait weeks or months for them to reach their full size.
Organic farming practices can be used when growing leafy greens as microgreens, ensuring that they remain healthy and free from harmful pesticides and herbicides. A variety of leafy green plant varieties can be grown in this way, making it easy to mix up your microgreen dishes with different colors and flavors.
In addition to kale, spinach, and arugula, other popular options include lettuces like romaine and bibb lettuce; herbs such as basil and cilantro; broccoli sprouts; radish tops; turnip greens; beet greens; collard greens; mustard greens; Swiss chard; sorrels and more! With so many delicious choices available, there’s no reason not to give microgreens a try!
Herbs
From basil to cilantro, there’s an abundance of flavorful herbs that you can enjoy in your microgreens dishes. Herbs like these are rich in vitamins and minerals, providing a tasty way to boost your nutrition.
The harvesting techniques for growing microgreens from herbs is the same as with any other plant – simply cut them when the leaves reach 1-3 inches long. Once harvested, you can use these fragrant greens in all sorts of culinary creations. From salads to smoothies, pesto sauces to sandwiches, the possibilities are endless!
Not only do they add flavor and nutrition to meals but they also make great garnishes for plating dishes with flair. With so many different herbs available, you can mix and match varieties depend on what flavors or textures you’re looking for. Whether it’s spicy thyme or subtle parsley, get creative with your microgreens recipes and let herbaceous flavors take center stage!
Sprouts
Sprouts are a nutrient-packed addition to any meal, giving you an easy way to add crunch and flavor with minimal effort. While there are many different types of seeds that can be used to grow microgreens, sprouts are especially popular because they take very little time to grow and only require a few basic supplies.
Depending on the type of seed used, it’s possible to harvest them in just 3-5 days after sowing. The harvesting technique for sprouts is relatively simple; simply rinse the seeds daily until the shoots reach their desired size and then strain out the liquid before serving.
Sprouts are incredibly versatile and can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of dishes, making them an ideal ingredient for adding both nutrition and flavor.
Benefits of Microgreens
Surprisingly, microgreens can provide a powerful punch of nutrition and flavor in a tiny package! By using hyperbole to emphasize the small size of these greens, it’s clear that their benefits shouldn’t be overlooked.
Microgreens are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, offering many health benefits. They’re high in dietary fiber and contain beneficial antioxidants which help protect against disease. Plus, they’re an excellent source of plant-based protein.
The flavor profiles of microgreens make them desirable for culinary use. Their intense taste and texture add interest to dishes like salads, sandwiches, and wraps. The delicate leaves often have a sweet or tangy quality that adds piquancy to meals without adding fat or extra calories. Furthermore, the vibrant colors they offer make them visually appealing when used as garnishes or decorations on plates.
Microgreens are suitable for growing indoors year-round due to their small size and short growth period, making them ideal for home gardening projects as well as commercial operations. With minimal effort involved in planting and harvesting these crops, they can become an enjoyable part of any gardener’s routine! What’s more, they require very little space or resources to cultivate successfully, so even those with limited space can reap the rewards from growing microgreens at home.
How to Grow Microgreens
Growing microgreens at home is a great way to enjoy fresh produce year-round. To get started, you’ll need to select your seeds, soil, and containers. Then, provide regular water and sunlight for your plants. With a little bit of care and maintenance, you can be enjoying delicious greens in no time!
Selecting Seeds
When selecting seeds for microgreens, you’ll want to choose leafy greens or herbs that are best suited to your climate and needs.
Consider where you will be growing your microgreens as this will determine what type of seeds you should purchase. For example, if you are growing indoors, look for varieties that grow well in container gardens.
If you intend to harvest outdoors, select plants that can withstand the elements such as cold winter temperatures or strong summer winds.
Additionally, think about how much space you have available and whether the plant has a long germination period; some varieties take weeks before they start producing edible leaves.
Finally, consider harvesting methods when choosing your seeds; certain plants don’t tolerate frequent cutting so choose those that can handle multiple harvests throughout the season.
With all these factors in mind, nearly any leafy green or herb can be grown as microgreens.
Soil and Containers
You’ll need soil and containers to get your microgreens growing, so pick the right ones for maximum yield.
When preparing the soil, make sure you use a well-draining mixture that’s light in texture and contains some organic matter. Some good options are potting soil or a combination of 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 vermiculite.
Here’s a list of things to consider when selecting containers:
- Durable: Look for materials that won’t break easily or hold too much moisture. Plastic seed trays work well but ceramic pots can also do the job if they have drainage holes at the bottom.
- Size: You want your container size to match the amount of space needed by the plant’s root system; if it’s too small it could stunt growth or lead to poor yields.
- Cleanliness: Make sure your containers are clean before planting as this will help reduce disease problems down the road.
Also keep in mind that different plants may require different types of container setups such as trellises or hanging baskets for vining varieties like peas and beans.
No matter what type you choose, using quality materials will ensure successful growth and better yields from your microgreen crop!
Watering and Sunlight
Watering your microgreens is essential for their growth and development, so make sure they get plenty of hydration. Microgreens require a soil moisture level that stays consistently damp but not soggy. To achieve this, it’s best to water the microgreen containers from the bottom up by placing them in a tray filled with about half an inch of water and allowing them to absorb it through the drainage holes at the bottom.
The amount of sunlight required for microgreens depends on the type you’re growing; some greens prefer more light than others. Generally, most varieties need at least four hours of direct sunlight each day or 12-14 hours of indirect light from fluorescent bulbs or other artificial lighting sources.
Tips for Growing Microgreens
To grow healthy microgreens, it’s important to provide them with plenty of sunlight like a butterfly fluttering in the garden. When growing indoors, place your trays near a south-facing window that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight. You can also supplement artificial light with fluorescent or LED lights if needed.
Additionally, be sure to water your microgreens regularly and evenly – about twice a day should do the trick. When it comes to soil amendments, use nutrient-rich soil that drains well and is free of weeds and pests. Adding organic matter such as compost or manure will give your microgreens an extra boost of nutrients while increasing the water-holding capacity of the soil.
Adding mulch around the base of your plants will help retain moisture and regulate temperature fluctuations in hot weather climates. Harvesting tips are just as important when growing healthy microgreens! Start harvesting when they reach two inches tall or when their second set of true leaves have emerged — whichever comes first!
Be sure to cut off all stems at soil level using scissors or a sharp knife for best results. Leave enough stem so that you don’t pull up any roots during harvest time! Once harvested, store freshly cut greens in airtight containers lined with damp paper towels in the refrigerator where they will last for up to four days.
Enjoy fresh microgreens on salads, sandwiches, wraps and more – they add flavor and nutrition to any meal!
