What can I do with microgreens? This question is probably one of the biggest questions about eating microgreens. They are a very interesting plant, smaller than spinach, much less leafy than kale, and not as tough as spinach or mustard greens but definitely more delicious than broccoli. Eating microgreens is very easy, and it doesn’t take much gardening experience at all to grow your own microgreens.
In fact, growing microgreens indoors has never been easier. Most seeds for this plant are available at local nurseries, because it’s a fairly new plant that hasn’t spread widely. The other nice thing about this plant is that you don’t have to use any special seeds. Just purchase a regular seedling heat mat, plant the seeds, and you’re ready to try the seeds right away.
As mentioned above, microgreens will germinate in a tray that you place on top of an existing pot. Just make sure the seeds you place are the size of a pea or larger and place them on the tray. Leave them alone for about two weeks, checking on a weekly basis to make sure they have sprouted. When you find a few that look healthy, remove them from the tray and transfer them to a large pot filled with clean water, about a foot from the seedling heat mat.
Once you’ve placed your seeds on the soil, gently cover the tray with the soil from the top of the plant. Make sure there is no extra soil on top because it will dry out and the seeds won’t germinate properly. Using a spade, dig down about three inches, putting the holes in the dirt carefully. Spread the soil evenly over the bottom of the tray and wait for the seeds to begin growing. Every few days, replace the soil on top of the tray and allow the new root system to grow.
When the seeds across the surface begin to sprout, cut a piece of screen on the bottom of the tray to keep the roots from soaking up all of the water. Place the screen over the plant and continue to do so every couple of days until the sprouts are about one inch tall. Then remove the screen and cut another screen to support the next set of sprouts. Continue doing this until you have a continuous supply of microgreens to harvest.
Harvesting your first set of microgreens takes about 10 days. Each new set can take up to ten days to mature. However, if the microgreen planting is going to be for a family of plants, it is recommended that you harvest on a daily basis. This will ensure each plant gets the needed water and nutrients. Harvest the seeds across the surface, press them into small cups and add as much organic, filtered water as you need.