What Are Microgreens?
Microgreens are herbs and vegetables grown from seed and harvested while still seedlings. They are harvested before they reach full size and eaten raw or cooked. They contain high levels of nutrients such as vitamins C, K, B6, E, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium.
Microgreens are extremely nutritious and delicious. They are also very versatile and can be added to sandwiches, salads, soups, pasta, pizza or just about anything else you can think of.
Microgreens are at their best when picked and used straight away, as they lose their flavour and freshness too quickly to be stored. They are best sown and grown indoors (in the greenhouse is ok in summer) and are great in winter when fresh local veg is scarce.
What do you need to grow Microgreens?
- You will need 3 trays;
- The bottom tray will be used as a reservoir, so must not have holes
- The middle one will be used as the growing tray and will need holes for drainage
- The top tray will be turned upside down and be used to blackout the light, so must not have holes*
- Coconut Coir Growing Brick or standard compost for sowing into
- A Spray bottle for misting your seedlings
*You may use the same tray for the top and bottom if you wish, as you may not be using these at the same.
How do you grow Microgreens?
Prepare your Coconut Coir growing brick as follows or alternatively use standard compost.
- Place the Coconut Coir growing brick in a bucket
- Cover with approximately 3.5 litres of warm water and leave for 30 minutes
- If the Coir looks and feels dry still, add a little more water
- Once all water has been absorbed and the Coir brick has expanded, it is ready to use
Now your Coir is ready to use, fill the growing tray and follow these next few simple steps.
- Using a spray bottle, wet the coir or compost evenly
- Spread the seeds thickly and evenly on the surface of the growing media and press gently to ensure maximum contact
- Lightly mist the seeds
- Place a tray with no holes upside down on top of the growing tray to blackout light and place somewhere warm for 2 days, an airing cupboard if you have one or a propagator
- Check every 24 hours, whether more water is needed, if so gently mist
- After 2 days check for germination, leave another day if germination has not started
- Once germinated move to a bright windowsill, conservatory or greenhouse and check whether they need more water, if so gently mist
- Fill the bottom reservoir tray with water and place the growing tray in to this ‘bath’, this will allow the compost to soak up the water from the reservoir tray
- Check each day to see if more water is required
- Seeds will germinate at different rates, Microgreens can be harvested when shoots are 2.5-5cm tall by cutting at the base with sharp scissors.
- Use immediately for optimum freshness and punch of flavour
- Sowing can take place all year round
