How To Grow Microgreens In Small Spaces
You don't need a yard a deck or a balcony to grow Microgreens. They are the favourite of indoor growers with space challenges who want to grow their own food!...
Are you living in a tiny house or an apartment and want to grow your own food?
Microgreens makes urban farming easy in those teeny tiny spaces. Have you ever noticed how a sprinkling of colourful and vibrant greens on a dish in a cafe turns something quite ordinary into something gourmet? Microgreens are likely to have been the garnish as they are known for their visual appeal, taste and texture. They may be micro in size but they are HUGE on nutrients! Not to be mistaken for "sprouts" which are just-germinated seeds grown hydroponically (just in water) and harvested when a few days old.
What Is A Microgreen?
A microgreen is any green herb or vegetable at the growth stage just after it has sprouted from seed, one to five days old, but before the 'baby green' stage of eight to 21 days.
After five to 10 days' growth, a microgreen has fully developed roots and typically two leaves (cotyledon leaves), and first 'true' leaves might just be starting to emerge.
The closer you can get to the sprouting, the more nutrient-dense the greens are by weight. Depending on the variety, and the specific nutrient in question, a microgreen can be anywhere from five to 100 times more nutrient-dense by weight than its adult version.
You often hear of "baby greens" and these are plants with their first true leaves fully developed.
What Microgreen Seeds Should I Use?
Personally, I only use organic or non-gmo, non chemically treated seeds for this purpose. You will be ingesting these young plants and likely some seed husks as well. Rocket or Arugula, Buckwheat, Coriander, Fenugreek, Peas, and Radishes are all popular seeds.
Do I Need A Lot Of Space To Grow Microgreens?
Well you don't need a yard a deck or a balcony to grow Microgreens. They are the favourite of indoor growers with space challenges who want to grow their own food! Looking attractive and delicious they can be grown in any container with good drainage. A bright (but not direct sun as they are delicate) window ledge is all you need!
Do I Need A Lot Of Equipment To Grow Microgreens?
No way! You don't even need a green thumb! All that is required is a container preferably with good drainage, some seed raising mix or organic potting mix, a spray bottle and organic Microgreen seeds which only cost a couple of dollars a pack from the garden store or health food store!
What Type Of Containers Can I Use To Grow My Microgreens?
Any shallow dish can be used. I would recommend using small containers with drainage if you are just starting out on your greening adventure.
Our The Root Pouch range of grow bags are the minimalist's dream container! Made of recycled PET water bottles they can be used to grow many shallow rooted vegetables such as Lettuces, succulents and of course the full range of microgreens! Fold down the sides to form shallow containers of a depth required for your choice of greens. They are space-saving when growing areas are tight. After use, just wash in the washing machine, air-dry and store away until next time!
What Growing Medium Should I Use?
You can use a soil or soil-less medium. Seed raising mix, indoor potting mix, perlite, vermiculite and coconut coir can be used. There are also special microgreen growing mats available. Personally I use home made seed raising mix using the recipe on the Make Potting Mix at Home guide in our store. A feed of a weak seaweed solution when the seeds have germinated will help them along.
How Do I Plant The Microgreen Seeds?
- Fill pouch or container about 2/3 full of potting medium
- Press your seeds into top of potting medium
- Sprinkle top with a light covering of the medium
- Firm soil with fingers, and water with a light spray until saturated
- Place in a warm place in indirect light
- Shoots will sprout within a few days.
- Keep moist by spraying lightly until saturated and feed with a weak solution of seaweed fertiliser after the seeds have germinated.
Harvesting Like An Urban Farmer!
Once the seedlings have grown their first set of leaves, you can harvest by gently grasping the plants you want with one hand and trimming the stems just above the soil line. If growing in a soilless medium, you can pull the plants out by their roots and give them a good rinse.