How to Grow Microgreens

Unpredictable weather of the transitional season weakens the immune system and creates an urgent need for vitamins. Devouring fistfuls of pharmaceuticals isn’t our way. The fastest, easiest, and cheapest means of compensating for nutrient deficiency is to grow your own natural nutrients!

Microgreens are 1- to 4-week-old scions. In this growth stage, they contain the maximum amount of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids: almost 40 times more than in ordinary herbs and vegetables!

This is the trendiest green of the season. Some venturesome bloggers, having caught the wave, sell harvested crops for good money. At the same time, many Hollywood and European stars grow microgreens on their windowsills. And the gardeners of the British Crown believe that the future lies with the baby plants.

We can be as savvy as celebrities! Let’s grow our own healthy and juicy treats! With a step-by-step guide from Cook It, you are sure to succeed.

Everything You Need to Know About How to Grow Microgreens at Home

Seeds

Microgreens grow from almost any plant variety. The only requirement is that they should not be treated with anything: you need the health benefits, not more chemicals!

Some plant seeds sprout in just four days, for instance, radish and watercress. Beetroot sprouts, different types of cabbage, sunflower, lettuce, and arugula will take from 5 to 10 days to germinate. You will have to wait 10–15 days for basil, dill, cilantro, flax seeds, spinach, peas, and chickpeas to join the party. By the way, we recommend to always soak beans and flax seeds before planting to encourage the plant embryo to break free.

Seeds should be soaked either in water or in a nutrient solution, such as aloe juice or honey.

Soil

There are several options for planting microgreen seeds. You can use traditional all-purpose soil or compressed coco peat. This nutrient substrate retains moisture nicely and reduces the risk of seed spoilage. You need to cover it with water in advance and wait until it expands.

You can also grow greens in pallets, layering moisture-absorbing mat, perlite, or vermiculite. There are no strict canons for the selection of soils for growing microgreens.

Container

Microgreens are cultivated based on the greenhouse principle, so any plastic container with a lid will do. Don’t have a cover? No worries, you can use a foil or a paper bag. The receptacle must be opened for 15–30 minutes every day to prevent the seeds from rotting.

Growing Instructions

1. Prepare seeds and containers with the substrate. If you are a beginner, we recommend using coco peat. The substrate layer should be 2–3 cm deep. Remember to soak the seeds that need more time to sprout.
2. Moisten the substrate, but do not overdo it. Evenly distribute the seeds on the surface. Press them lightly into the ground, but do not embed them. Sprinkle the seeds using a spray bottle.
3. Cover the container with a transparent lid or polyethylene and place it in a warm place with good lighting.
4. Open the lid daily to ventilate the contents of the container. Spray if necessary.
5. When little sprouts emerge, remove the lid, but do not forget to moisturize your microgreens every day.

You can safely cut week-old sprouts and add them to virtually everything. Every type of green has its unique taste and beneficial properties. Read about them, if you’re interested! Store cut microgreens in the refrigerator in a closed container for up to seven days.

We hope you share this useful article with your friends. Comment down below with a photo of your windowsill garden!

Valerie

I am an English major with a love of languages and fiction, and with an incurable travel bug. In my free time, I read fantasy, drink copious amounts of coffee, and like to go see movies. Culinary art means everything to me. My main hypostasis is the taster, though. The music school has taught me to appreciate the symphony of airy meringues, to create harmonious overtures of light snacks, hard rock of meat, fish, and vegetables on the grill. Choir classes have accustomed me to hear and feel the people nearby and create perfect harmonies of sounds.