How to Grow Microgreens
Microgreens are becoming a more popular way of growing and eating healthily. Microgreens can be used in salads or garnishes and provide many nutrients.
Microgreens are slightly more mature than a seedling, but not at the mature plant level of advancement.
It is a great way of using surplus seeds up, unless you want to purchase a microgreens home-kit, but it is very simple to grow your own.
Before beginning, ensure your trays are clean and sterile and that your seeds are still in perfect condition. Use sterile compost also for best results.
Sow your seeds indoors in the usual way; with propagation, moist compost and warmth and light. Ideally, temperatures should be 15-20oc. Water or spraying when required. You can mix your seeds, but it is wise to grow the same sized seeds together at the same time for ease of harvesting later or alternatively, keep to each seed-type in one tray.
You can refer to each seed packet for specific instructions on sowing. Some larger seeds will benefit from being soaked first to aide germination. Press the seeds gently or dust them over lightly with some more compost or Vermiculite so that they are not buried too deeply but are pressed against the compost and covered lightly.
Sowing of microgreens is easiest done in trays and kept in a warm and light environment. Lids or plastic covering can be removed once the seedlings are through the compost.
Check on your microgreens daily and ensure they are kept at warm temperatures and enough but not too much moisture.
Microgreens can be grown outside too, in the right growing conditions.
Microgreens can be growing during the winter, although it is more difficult due to the lower temperatures and lack of light and so you may need to compensate with artificial heating and lighting.
