Tap water may work unless you have hard water or heavily chlorinated water, in which case distilled or bottled water is better. You will use 2 trays. The planting tray is the container in which the microgreens will grow. Think of it as giving your greens a haircut. Sprouts are young seedlings that dont have any true leaves. If you dont pre-soak, just make sure the soil is moist, and you spray the seeds well with water after planting if you dont soak them first. Sprouts, on the other hand, are harvested when they are just a few days old. If you can, try to place your microgreen rack near a window to get some extra sunlight. At this point, besides the light, the only thing to do is to check that the seedlings have enough water. Planting Tray This tray or container must contain bottom holes that allow extra water to drain and are large enough to uptake water into the soil media when it's dry. Fill the bottom of the plastic trays for microgreens so that they cover the drainage holes. How To Grow Microgreens Indoors In Trays In 7 Easy Steps 1. The first step is to create the seed bed by filling your trays with the growing medium of your choice. After filling or setting the trays with the growing medium, using a clean container without holes and filled with drinking water you can slowly wet the growing medium from the bottom, and once the medium is wet enough let the excess of water drain. Loosen the soil and rake it smooth. Because microgreens are usually harvested when they are between two and three inches tall and have true leaves they are more nutritious than sprouts. After harvesting, immediately rinse your microgreens with clean water and pat dry. Right: Seeding sunflower after pre-soaking in water for about 10 hours. About two inches worth should be more than enough. Lightly pat down the soil to make a flat seeding surface but without compressing it too much. Then, use your fingers to lightly press them into the soil or coco mat. Microgreens production for self-consumption in a household does not require the use of any special tool and besides the seeds, you should be able to find everything you need at home or in any household-product store (Figure 1). Fill the container with good quality potting soil and level it out to have a flat surface across the top of the dirt, then water it to help settle any loose bits. Finally, growing microgreens in trays is a great way to get started with this type of gardening, since it is relatively low-maintenance and easy to learn. How to Grow Microgreens: The Beginner's Guide by Kevin Espiritu | Aug 25, 2016 | Crops | 33 comments This content is for Monthly Unlimited members only. Pea shoots from seeding to harvest. They can sprout just as well in the light. Many are rich sources of nutrients and serve as staple foods for various cultures. Here is a list of basic supplies you will need to grow microgreens in soil indoors: Or if you want a small all in one solution for yoursef or a gift, try the windowsill microgreen kit a try or a self watering microgreen kit. When the microgreens are 2-3 inches tall, they are ready to harvest. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Place that in the solid tray. Microgreens and sprouts are the same seeds at different stages of development. Then, fill the tray with 1 to 2 inches of soil. Seeds can be soaked in water overnight for 8-12 hours. Hope y'all enjoy!! If you are interested in growing microgreens outdoors, check out this popular post here. Whats The Difference Between Microgreens And Sprouts? We recommend sturdy grow trays and plastic tray covers. For big & very succulent micro-greens, sow sunflowers. That said, here are some general guidelines to follow. A microgreen needs about four hours of sunshine every day for maximum growth. After selecting the species of microgreens you would like to grow and purchasing microgreens seeds, calculate the amount of seeds you need for your square, rectangular, or circular planting trays following the instruction provided here or using the Microgreens Seed Density Calculator developed to make things very easy for you. 4. You can follow her work on, beginner's microgreen growing kit from Hamama, 9 edible flowers to add a pop of color and flavor to any dish, How to identify and treat pesky root rot in your houseplants, 16 good-looking plants that thrive in open or closed terrariums, Rhubarb is the tart, unsung veggie of spring here's how to use it. Perfect for use as a drip tray, hydroponic growing and seed starting. They are not the same as sprouts. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. In this blog post, we will discuss how to grow microgreens in trays and provide some tips on how to get the best results. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/microgreens. The other tray will not have any holes. Gently press the seeds down with your hands or a piece of cardboard. There are lots of perks to growing microgreens not only are they ready for harvesting in just a week or two, but they also provide a burst of flavor, micronutrients, texture, and color to a wide variety of dishes. Left: Example of a scale used to measure the amount of seed for a small tray. Prepare the growing tray. So now you have what you need to easily grow microgreens indoors. Alternative materials are used as a base for growth, such as hydroponic grow mats, coconut coir matting or other non-soil growth mediums. You can use any type of tray, pot with drainage holes or even an old shoebox as long as theres enough room for the plants. This fun and easy gardening project is sure to yield delicious results. Once you have your tray and soil, youre ready to sow the seeds. In the case of sunflower and other species, maintaining the weight on top of the shoots during the germination process also facilitates the detachment of the seed hulls from the cotyledons. Once you have your tray and soil, youre ready to sow the seeds. I recommend using a LED grow light for your microgreens. To get a better idea of when to harvest your microgreens, its helpful to understand how leaves develop on a plant. Microgreens will not grow well in waterlogged conditions. Day 2. Once the seeds are planted, mist them lightly with water and place the tray in a sunny spot. Brassicaceae family: Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, watercress, radish and arugula, Asteraceae family: Lettuce, endive, chicory and radicchio, Apiaceae family: Dill, carrot, fennel and celery, Amaryllidaceae family: Garlic, onion, leek, Amaranthaceae family: Amaranth, quinoa swiss chard, beet and spinach, Cucurbitaceae family: Melon, cucumber and squash. Water should be provided only if necessary, avoiding excess moisture and allowing drainage to prevent the development of mold. Each pack includes 10 grow mats made from 100% natural coconut coir fibers. I used store bought organic chia seeds. Since your broccoli microgreens are harvested when very young, they don't need a lot of room to grow. You do have to be careful not to overwater if there are no drainage holes, like the ones we use. As long as they have soil, water, light and a place to grow, they dont need soil. It is best if the container has small drainage holes to prevent standing water (or mold), so you might want a second drip tray to catch runoff below. Given the circumstances, with the arrival of the spring, many are reviving the idea of "Victory Gardens" and are investing in their home garden to grow their own fresh vegetables, while re-discovering the beneficial de-stress effects of gardening. A good quality potting mix or seed-starting mix will work well. The natural growing media is used in hydroponics, to grow microgreens, or for seed starting. You can buy seeds online if your grocery store doesnt have any you like. What types of microgreens to grow at home? Larger containers can be planted with more space between each of your plants and rows if you prefer, so you have more room for harvesting later on! Very gently press the seeds down with a piece of cardboard, or use your hand. The growing time for microgreens varies depending on the type of seed, but on average, they are ready to be harvested after 10-14 days. Cover the seeds with a light layer of soil, then water that layer again with water from a spray bottle. As you can see, that tray grew much faster. Many popular vegetables are in the nightshade family. Moisten your seeds with a spray bottle of water to promote germination. Good luck and happy growing! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Remember that you have no control over outdoor conditions. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Nightshade vegetables belong to the family of plants with the Latin name Solanaceae. Microgreens are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins A, C, and E. Theyre also a good source of antioxidants and phytochemicals, which can help to protect your cells from damage. Di Gioia, F., Renna, M. and Santamaria, P., 2017. Choosing the right seeds Choosing Microgreen Seeds 3. Microgreens can be grown without soil as they need little nutrients. Caring for the microgreens Because microgreens grow so fast there is no need to fertilize them. For example, beet microgreens often have a splash of deep red on their stems and an earthy-yet-sweet flavor, whereas daikon radish microgreens have pale green stems and a slightly spicy taste. For this reason, using 1020 seedling trays is a much better option. For a tray the size of a Home Microgreens Tray, we recommend 2- to 5 pounds. This can be easily achieved covering the microgreens trays with something that can block the sunlight. "In your growing tray, lay down your pre-soaked grow mat or spread your potting soil, being sure to leave at least a half-inch from the top of the tray," Heinrich says. 6. But you can grow microgreens without soil too with coco grow mats. The number of times microgreens will regrow depends on the variety but usually will be from 3 to 6 times. Some people cover them but it is not necessary. The more frequent you snip, the shorter your growth time will be. Let sprouts grow to microgreens with small leaves, which will take about 7-10 more days. Left: Harvesting microgreens. Take the cover off for a few hours to a day if it is too moist. Microgreens require 6 to 8 hours of light each day. The seeds will be kept warm and moist as a result, which will promote germination. How To Grow Fresh Kale Indoors - Fresh Kale Everyday. If you are planning on growing microgreens at home, hydroponics is a great way to go because it is easier to maintain than soil. The included moisture cover will keep your plants at constant humidity and temperature. Broccoli . Soil is the most common way to go, however, hydroponic growing can be quicker, less messy, and easier to upkeep when growing microgreens, especially when indoors. You can store them in the fridge in an airtight bag or container. First step is to fill up your tray with soil. Additionally, this method is very space-efficient, since you can grow a large number of microgreens in a small space. Right: Example of pea and sunflower seeds soaking in drinking water. To limit the contact between water and the greens it is recommended to water the trays from the bottom. Coco grow mats are a great way to grow microgreens year-round. Many associate microgreens with the tweezered garnishes that accompany meticulously plated fine-dining dishes, but these young plants can add a boost of nutrition and flavor to just about anything you're making at home. Place seeds in microgreen trays with or without holes and cover them with foil/spray . It tends to work out just fine with smaller seeds as long as you keep them damp enough. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. All it takes are a few inexpensive items and to follow the steps outlined in this blog post. Alexandra Simone/Aurora Photos/Getty Images, Rebecca Strong is a Boston-based freelance writer covering health and wellness, food and wine,fitness, and travel. You will want to seed evenly but on the heavy side so you get a full tray of microgreens. Right: Example of 10' 30' tray with and without drainage holes at the bottom. Make sure the coco grow mat is well-drained. Quick tip: Hyland recommends rinsing the microgreens thoroughly before eating them, storing them in an airtight plastic bag or container in the refrigerator, and using them within three days. First of all, you will need to choose a tray that is shallow and has good drainage. You can find trays specifically designed sprouting trays for growing microgreens. Washing microgreens in fresh drinking water before consuming them is always recommended, however, be aware that microgreens plant tissues are very gentle, and their shelf life may be substantially reduced after washing. It is a renewable resource with a neutral pH and better water holding and aeration properties. Springer, Boston, MA. Put a growing medium in the base of your container. Sow the seeds evenly on the surface of the coco grow mat. Seeds of your choice (vegetable, herb, or grain), Sprouting trays or 1020 trays with and without holes, Potting mix, peat moss, coco coir or coco grow mats. However, be prepared that the biggest risk you take when growing microgreens in soil is soil-borne disease. The whole process took 7 days total. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nightshade-vegetables, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/microgreens, What Is Required For Hydroponics? Theyre packed with nutrients and have a delicious flavor. Use a sharp knife to cut them at the soil line. The back of a tablespoon or spatula smooths out the valleys. These are the common plant trays you see past many garden centers. Some growers still consider this wasting soil and will grow these crops in shallow trays. How do you grow microgreens? Microgreens grown in soil, can be planted in a basic growing tray or dish. Please enter your email address below to create account. Soak your seeds in purified water for 24 hours. Microgreens-Novel fresh and functional food to explore all the value of biodiversity. And in an attempt to minimize exposure to the virus, people are reducing the frequency with which they go grocery shopping, which may limit the opportunity to buy the most perishable greens. It's recommended to use approximately 10 to 15 grams of microgreen seeds for a 1220 inch tray. The quality of the water also impacts the growth and taste of the microgreens. Di Gioia, F. and Santamaria, P., 2015. Use a sharp knife to cut them at the soil line. The cost of lights will vary, depending on where you get them from. If you don't have a cover, you could use either a newspaper, or a piece of clean, breathable fabric such as cotton. Microgreens are some of the easiest seeds to grow and can earn a substantial profit. If you're still not sure if growing microgreens is right for your farm, consider a microgreens seeds kit. This can include a seed starting mix, potting soil, or a mix of potting soil and peat moss. Water your microgreens once or twice per day, depending on how dry the air is. This fascinating food is easy to grow, tasty on salads and soups, and packed . Harvest your microgreens when they are 2-3 inches tall. Remember to take it off right after germination if you do. After harvesting your microgreens, if your growing medium is organic you can compost it, while you can wash and re-use your planting trays or containers.