What are the best varieties of microgreens to grow?
Growing microgreens is a very rewarding experience, particularly for small indoor spaces. There are hundreds of types to select from, and they are incredibly tasty, healthy, and quick. As a microgreen, almost any vegetable, grain, legume, or salad green can be cultivated. These days, there is a growing variety of microgreen seed alternatives available, and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choices. Every kind of microgreen seedling has a unique flavor, color, and speed of growth.
6 Best Microgreen Varieties to Cultivate
1. Radish Microgreens
Radishes are a widely known vegetable. Radishes come in a wide variety of hues, ranging from red, pink, and purple to yellow and green. The microgreen radish is a wonderful source of carbohydrates, energy, and vitamin C. In addition, it has dietary fiber, niacin, riboflavin, zinc, potassium, folate, manganese, copper, sodium, phosphorus, vitamins B1 and B6, calcium, iron, magnesium, and a ton of other minerals.
2. Broccoli Microgreens
One of the simplest microgreens to cultivate, broccoli grows quickly. Compared to other kinds of microgreens, sow the seeds more deeply. Broccoli is greener than many crops and colors up quickly. It tastes like fresh, mild cabbage and is a solid, resilient microgreen. They are also preferred because they are a fantastic source of sulforaphane and have health advantages. It makes the perfect basis for any kind of microgreen salad.
3. Pea Microgreens
Pea microgreens are picked from young, fragile shoots of pea plants. Pea microgreens taste just like full-grown typical peas and are loaded with vitamins and anti-inflammatory qualities. They are also well-known for helping people lose weight because of their high fiber content.
4. Mustard Microgreens
Under ideal circumstances, Mustard Microgreens grow rapidly, much like other brassicas. In any salad, mustard works well as a supplementary green. It has a very subtle, non-overpowering spicy taste. It thrives in colder climates. It is tasty as a microgreen or baby salad green and grows nicely to the baby salad stage.
5. Rocket (Arugula) Microgreens
Another name for Rocket is Arugula. This plant, which has long been regarded as one of the most beneficial and healthiest natural superfoods, gives a nutritional boost to a wide range of dishes. Excellent source of iron, copper, folic acid, and several other minerals as well as vitamins A, C, and K.
How are microgreens grown?
There is no specific instrument needed for microgreen production for personal consumption; aside from the seeds, you should be able to locate everything you need in your house or at any store that sells household products. Investing in some growth trays and little equipment made especially for producing microgreens might be useful if you intend to grow them consistently for more effective output.
Step 1: Gather the Supplies
The basic requirements are as follows:
- Seeds
Superior quality seeds are essential for cultivating wholesome and delectable microgreens. Seek out seeds that are designated especially for growing microgreens; they have been chosen for their taste and rapid germination and are safe to consume without any chemical treatments.
- Trays
You need to find the growing containers for your microgreens. Shallow, broad pots such as garden trays are ideal for their growth. Additionally, you may upcycle gutters, foil pie pans, and takeaway containers into grow trays. Ensure that the containers have holes made for drainage at the bottom.
- Lights if growing inside
Microgreens need at least three to four hours of natural light every day, as well as an important quantity of sunshine. Your plant will flourish best on a sunny balcony or a windowsill that gets plenty of light. If there is no access to natural sunshine, basic LED lights can still be employed.
Step 2: Soaking Microgreen Seeds
A quick and easy method that can significantly boost crop yields and germination rates is soaking seeds for microgreens. growth of your crops will be made much easier if you know how long to soak your seeds and how to modify them for your particular growth conditions.
- After soaking
Drain the soaking water using a mesh strainer after soaking. Once again, drain any extra water after washing the seeds using a sink sprayer. Note that at this stage, you don't want your seeds to be totally dry; you only want them to be out of any water. Keep the seeds wet enough to keep them from drying out as you wait for the sprouts to develop.
- Transfer to a growing medium
Pour the seeds into a medium-sized bowl after straining them. While seeds can soak for up to 24 hours, 4 to 8 hours yields the greatest results. Fill the basin with cold water and set the timer for 4 to 8 hours. After the timer goes off, return the seeds to the sieve and give them one last rinse before planting; do not allow the seeds to dry back out. Place into a coir-lined grow tray, sprinkle with water, and cover with a germination lid.
- Additional benefits of pre-soaking
By decreasing the hard outer layer and facilitating the seed sprouts' absorption and the start of rooting, soaking seeds helps speed up the germination process.
Step 3: Germinating Microgreens
To speed up germination, move the trays to a warm place. Put an empty tray on top and weigh it down after stacking the trays two or three deep. This kind of little pressure promotes thicker stems and greater development right from the start.
- To use soil, or not to use soil?
It is crucial to use loose, well-draining soil that has been boosted with organic materials. As a result, the atmospheric conditions are perfect for the seeds to take root and absorb nutrients. Use different kinds of soil, such as coconut coir, if you are using a beginner variety of seeds that need to be planted in less than a week to grow. Don't use garden or potting soil—these might be too heavy for the microgreens. A poorly blended soil can cause a variety of growing issues, such as mold and uneven growth.
- Soil pros and cons
There are benefits and drawbacks to using soil for microgreen germination and development. One of the primary benefits is that the soil gives the plants the vital nutrients they need, which encourages healthy development and raises the microgreens' nutritional value. But using soil may be messy, and there's a chance of getting dirt-borne pathogens. Furthermore, because soil cultivation involves proper sanitation and may require more handling and cleaning upkeep, some individuals may find it less comfortable.
- Hydroponics pros and cons
- Pros
It is more hygienic. Hydroponics Reduce time spent harvesting and cleaning your microgreens, as well as reduce dirt in your work area.
- Cons
Since hydroponically produced microgreens are cultivated using fertilizer and water additives, they cannot be organic. Another disadvantage is that Nutrients from local trash, such as composting, cannot be imported.
Step 4: Put Your Microgreens Under Lights to Grow
Similar to regular garden plants, microgreens like warm, bright spaces to grow. Plenty of sunlight is necessary for microgreens to support photosynthesis and develop healthily.
- To use light, or not to use light?
Edible plants prefer full-sun areas when planted outdoors. Photosynthesis, a mechanism in plants that produces glucose for sustenance and promotes plant development, requires enough sunshine. They favor areas indoors with 10–12 hours of sunlight. If your microgreens aren't getting enough direct sunshine indoors, you may cultivate them with incandescent or fluorescent lights to supplement the natural light. On the other hand, too much light can cause problems like photobleaching, which is the loss of color in leaves as a result of exposure to strong light.
- What kind of artificial lights to use?
LED lights or 6500K bulbs offer the range and intensity of light required to promote healthy development. These lights should be positioned equally over your trays because they are meant to resemble sunshine.
- The argument for sunlight
The sunlight is Natural and free. Simply set your microgreens on a windowsill that receives plenty of sunshine, or plant them outside and let them flourish there. In this manner, the plants you have won't affect your electrical costs. You'll need a window where your microgreens can receive direct sunshine for four to eight hours a day if you want to grow them outside.
- Why light is important
The quantity of light your microgreens receive, whether from artificial or natural sources, can greatly affect their flavor and vitamin and mineral content. A sufficient amount of light is necessary for strong and colorful microgreen development. Lighting contributes to the nutrition of plants.
- Check how much light your microgreens need.
Microgreens depend on light to flourish; it is one of the main factors that affect their development. Strong and colorful microgreens are a result of the right amount and duration of light. Conversely, weak and leggy microgreens might be caused by inadequate light. Therefore, the trick for successful microgreen growth is to find the perfect balance and offer the optimum light, whether it comes from artificial lighting or natural sunshine.
Step: 5 When to Harvest Microgreens?
The seeds' internal food supply has been reduced after they have begun to sprout. Apply the seaweed solution now to provide the plants with trace elements. This enhances nutrition and taste. After germination is complete, microgreens can be harvested in a few days or a few weeks, depending on the species and growth circumstances.
Step 6: How to Harvest Microgreens?
To harvest, hold the top of the microgreens and cut them close to the stems, approximately the height of the tray's edge, with a sharp knife or scissors. Give the microgreens a thorough washing and store them in the refrigerator in a jar if you wish to keep some for later.
- Washing:
After giving them a gentle water rinse to get rid of any dirt, pat them dry. Harvested microgreens can be used right away or refrigerated in a covered container with paper towels inside. They are excellent for around two weeks.
How to grow microgreens at home indoors?
- It's important to gather the required materials and arrange your indoor garden for maximum development.
- Suitable trays and containers must be chosen for the effective growing of microgreens.
- Select premium organic seeds that are marked especially for growing microgreens.
- choose a microgreen growth medium.
- Microgreens require bright light to develop effectively. Because they use less energy, LED grow lights are a popular option for indoor microgreen production.
- To encourage the best development, keep the temperature in your growing environment constant.
- Be ready for the seeds to begin to germinate.
- Plant the seeds and make sure the humidity is adequate.
- When your microgreens start to grow, pay special attention to them.
- When they are between one and three inches tall and have produced their first real leaves, harvest them.
How to grow microgreens outside
You must do the following actions to grow microgreens outside, ideally in a cold greenhouse or in a garage. The following equipment is required to cultivate microgreens:
- a seed tray or a few little pots
- seeds of your choice
- potting soil or seed starting mix
- Fill the seed tray with high-quality soil.
- Distribute seeds widely across the soil that you've planted.
- For the process of photosynthesis, hydrate the soil and set the container in direct sunshine.
- When your microgreens grow their first true leaves, harvest them.
Do microgreens regrow?
After being harvested, microgreens do not regenerate from their established root systems the way certain mature plants may. Some residual growth may happen in some circumstances if the microgreens are trimmed just above the soil line but not too near to the growing media. With crops like pea shoots, where new growth can appear from the base after harvesting, this is more likely to occur.
What are the best microgreens to grow?
It is simple to grow spinach. This family of microgreens includes Swiss chard, spinach, and beets. Basil is the greatest microgreen to plant since it grows quickly from seed and is only pleasant to grow in warmer climates. The greatest microgreens to cultivate include radishes, buttercrunch, arugula, broccoli, cauliflower, sunflowers, kale, mustard, and lettuce.
Why should you grow and eat microgreens?
microgreens have an average of five times the amount of vitamins and carotenoids, making them extremely healthful. The added benefit is that microgreens require minimal space, are inexpensive to produce, and are available to harvest in one to two weeks after seeding. Because homegrown microgreens may be gathered right before serving, their high nutritional and medicinal value can be preserved.
Microgreens safety precautions
Many people can eat microgreens without issues. Since microgreens are cultivated in somewhat damp conditions, inappropriate handling might expose them to germs, including E. Coli. Therefore, it's crucial to wash all microgreens well before eating them.
There is an extensive variety of different herbs and vegetables that can produce microgreens. You could also be allergic to a certain vegetable in microgreen form if you have a food allergy to it. You should cease eating microgreens right away and contact your doctor if you experience an adverse response.
