Growing microgreens is a breeze, but how does one know which methods work and which do not? Read on to learn some ways that you can reduce your efforts in using the wrong products and get consistent and long lasting results.

There are many techniques to grow microgreens. We will focus here on two major ways: Traditional methods and new methods. First let’s look at traditional methods.

Growing microgreens by hand requires dedication and time, but it’s relatively cheap compared to buying seeds and chemicals. It is also easier than you think. I’ve been growing microgreens by hand for over 10 years now and have never been disappointed. You can get away with planting microgreens in containers without the proper growing container, but the idea is to use containers that provide both drainage and enough light to facilitate the growth of microgreens.

The second traditional method is by seeds and plants. Again this is fairly easy, especially if you have an indoor gardening setup. However, because of the expense and time involved with this method, it’s not recommended for most people.

Using traditional methods of growing microgreens requires tedious manual work. For example, sprouting is more labor intensive than others. Also, getting your soil and water mixed and ready for planting is tedious. Additionally, you need to maintain a steady supply of soil and water to the plants, unless you are lucky enough to grow all your own microgreens!

New methods of growing microgreens come from cultures of hydroponic and aeroponic growers. These methods use some of the same basic principles as traditional methods of growing microgreens, but instead of manually tending to the microgreens, the gardener manages the microgreens on his own. This results in much less work, and at the same time produces healthier and tastier microgreens.

Some of the differences in growing microgreens is the choice of environment. Some hydroponic and aeroponic gardens allow the gardener to set the temperature and nutrient levels. A number of hydroponic and aeroponic systems also provide the gardener with a reservoir of water for the microgreens to drink. Hydroponics and aeroponics use glass bottles and carbon dioxide to simulate soil, while hydroponics uses hydroponic media like sand and the like.

So, how does one get started in growing microgreens? First, get some seedlings ready. Your planter should be raised in a cool, dark area, as well as having a light source to avoid frost bite.

After seeds are set, your next step is to make sure that the microgreens are prepared properly. This may involve using them as soon as they are purchased or possibly waiting until the next growing season. I tend to suggest the later, as many of the plants go into a dormant state during the first part of the growing season.

If you are growing microgreens as a starter set, I suggest starting them with something known as culture media. This will help you to introduce the microgreens to their new environment much quicker and will help you avoid some of the common problems that crop up in starter sets. But, if you do plan to use them right away, it is best to use the culture media.

Also, do note that there are many home-grown microgreens, called clones, which will often not thrive in indoor environments. Check out my site for tips on growing home-grown clones.

I’ve had great results with both methods of growing microgreens, so you may decide to try both yourself. In any case, don’t be surprised if you’re going to have to adjust things around your home quite a bit.