To start growing microgreens, you will need the following: seeds (such as radish, kale, or broccoli), growing medium (like soil or hydroponic pads), containers or trays, light source (such as a grow light), and water for irrigation.
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To start growing microgreens, you will need a few essential items to create an optimal environment for their growth. Here’s a detailed list of what you’ll need:
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Seeds: Choose microgreen seeds such as radish, kale, broccoli, arugula, or mustard, to name a few. These seeds are specifically selected for their quick germination and flavorful leaves.
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Growing Medium: Microgreens can be grown in soil or by using hydroponic pads. If you choose soil, select a high-quality, sterile potting mix suitable for growing vegetables. Hydroponic pads can be a convenient option as they provide a clean and controlled environment, ensuring good moisture retention and proper aeration.
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Containers or Trays: Select shallow containers or trays for growing microgreens. These can include plastic or wooden trays, seedling flats, or even repurposed materials like shallow food containers. Ensure that the trays have drainage holes to prevent excess water buildup.
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Light Source: Microgreens require ample light for proper photosynthesis and healthy growth. While natural sunlight is ideal, indoor growers may need to supplement with a grow light. Full-spectrum LED grow lights are a popular choice due to their energy efficiency and ability to provide the appropriate light spectrum for plant growth.
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Water for Irrigation: Microgreens need consistent moisture to thrive. Water the seeds gently to avoid displacing them or creating pools of water. You can use a spray bottle or a watering can with a fine spout for even distribution.
Quote:
“Anyone who thinks gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the whole year. For gardening begins in January with the dream.” – Josephine Nuese
Interesting facts about microgreens:
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Microgreens are not sprouts: Unlike sprouts, microgreens are grown in soil or a soil-like medium, allowing them to develop strong root systems and mature leaves.
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Nutritional powerhouse: Microgreens are known to be highly nutritious, often containing higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants compared to their mature counterparts.
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Rapid growth: Microgreens are typically harvested within 1-3 weeks after planting, making them a gratifying option for those who enjoy quick results.
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Versatile flavors: Microgreens come in a wide range of flavors, from spicy and tangy to earthy and sweet. Experimenting with different varieties can introduce exciting taste profiles to your dishes.
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Culinary applications: Microgreens are a popular addition to salads, sandwiches, soups, and as garnishes for various dishes, adding vibrant colors, textures, and flavors.
Table:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Seeds | Microgreen seeds such as radish, kale, broccoli, arugula, mustard, etc. |
| Growing Medium | Soil or hydroponic pads designed for microgreen cultivation. |
| Containers or Trays | Shallow plastic or wooden trays, seedling flats, or repurposed shallow containers. |
| Light Source | Natural sunlight or full-spectrum LED grow lights for indoor cultivation. |
| Water for Irrigation | Spray bottle or watering can with a fine spout for gentle watering. |
Remember that growing microgreens can be a fun and rewarding experience, providing you with fresh and nutritious greens right at home. So why not kickstart your microgreen garden and enjoy the journey of planting and harvesting these vibrant young greens!
Associated video
In this YouTube video, Brandon and Siobhan from Honeydew Homestead provide a thorough guide on growing microgreens for market and at home. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a clean and sanitized growing environment, using tools like room dividers and fans for airflow. They also share tips on using shelves, a dehumidifier, and a scheduled approach to sowing seeds based on the microgreen type. When it comes to growing microgreens at home, they discuss tray selection, using coconut coir as a growing medium, and pre-moistening the soil before sowing seeds. The video further demonstrates the process of sowing seeds tightly and encouraging germination, as well as using LED lights for growth. Finally, they discuss harvesting, packaging, and storing microgreens for market and suggest composting or giving any leftovers to animals. Overall, this video offers a comprehensive guide for microgreen growing and selling.
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Full Supply List to Grow Microgreens
- a wide tray with drainage holes.
- a wide tray without drainage holes (big enough to encompass the tray that does have holes)
- growing medium.
- water source.
- lots and lots of seeds.
- artificial light source.
- hand rake or small hoe to level soil.
- plant tags or labels.
How to grow microgreens (in a nutshell) Soak seeds 6-8 hours, or according to package directions. Soak the growing mat with water, and place in a container or baking dish. Spread out the seeds. Cover and place near a window until the seeds sprout. Remove lid, and let grow until vibrant leaves appear. Water daily.
How to Grow Microgreens
- 1. Add Seed Starting Mix Fill your container with 1 to 2 inches of seed starting mix, which is a fungus-free, lightweight material that allows tender new roots to develop without rotting.
To grow microgreens at home you need a seed tray, growing medium (soil or soilless), and seeds. Keep the tray in a sunny location, water often, and within 7-21 days you’ll have delicious, nutritious microgreens ready for harvest. You can add microgreens to almost any dish
I am confident that you will be interested in these issues
Secondly, What do I need to grow microgreens indoors?
If you’re using bigger seeds like sunflower or pea. You’re gonna have to soak them first beforehand. Next you’re gonna miss the tray heavily. The seeds need enough water to fully germinate.
What starter soil for microgreens?
The response is: This recipe has fewer components and works very well with microgreens. We believe that using peat moss and perlite in a 3: 1 or 4: 1 peat moss to perlite ratio is the best soil for microgreens.
Do microgreens need soil or no soil?
Response: Microgreens are harvested so early in their development that they don’t need soil or even nutrient solution. This makes them ideal if you don’t have the space for bags of potting mix and prefer not to deal with the cleanups.
Likewise, Is growing microgreens still profitable? How much can you earn from a microgreens business? You should make about $20 per tray of microgreens, so your revenue will depend on how many trays you can fit in your space. Most microgreens grow in 2-3 weeks, so you should be able to average 1.5 grows per tray per month. Your profit margin will be about 90%.
How to grow microgreens?
Seeds are a really important factor when growing microgreens. Usually we recommend when starting with a microgreen business, that you choose maybe 10 to 15 varieties who are easy to grow. Brassica family are basic seeds to grow, they are fast and good seed is not so hard to find.
Considering this, What are the best microgreen seeds to grow?
As a response to this: The microgreen varieties that you choose to grow the most of are going to vary based on your taste and goals, but the tried and true, most popular seeds to start with are broccoli, pea, radish, sunflower, purple kohlrabi and clover. Broccoli is easy to grow as a microgreen and popular for its mild flavor and documented nutritional value (1).
Can you grow microgreens with under-counter LED lights?
Growing microgreens with under-counter LED lights can be a space-saving way to have microgreens available at your fingertips in the kitchen. You will be growing your microgreens outdoors. A small greenhouse or high tunnel is ideal for protecting them from hungry birds.
Then, When to harvest microgreens? They don’t look like the true leaves of the plant. The best time to harvest microgreens is when they’ve developed the first set of true leaves, about 10 days to two weeks after planting. To harvest, snip the microgreens just above the soil level. You won’t get additional harvests from one planting of microgreens.