Growing Nutrient-Rich Microgreens - by Sunscape

in Foodies Bee Hivelast year

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We are in the midst of a heavy snowstorm and freezing temperatures here in western New York. However, that does not stop me from growing some delicious microgreens under lights during these cold winter months.

Microgreens provide more nourishment than the full-grown vegetable. They are densely packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy enzymes to assist you with overall health.

I started growing microgreens three years ago and I must say I really enjoy having rich and nutritious greens when I can't grow outside. If you have not tried growing some for yourself and would like to do so, I will share some simple instructions for you to follow.
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Prepare the trays


It is good to start by having trays specific for growing microgreens which will make it so much easier to be

Put about 1 inch of fine soil into the tray that has the drain holes in it. Spread the soil evenly and gently tamp it flat creating a smooth surface. Dampen the soil with water until it is evenly moist throughout but not soggy.

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Place the tray with holes into a tray without holes as you will use this bottom tray as a water reservoir once the seeds sprout.

Seeds




It is time to spread a good amount of seeds all over the surface of the soil. You want them close together but not too crowded. Sprinkle a light layer of the soil mix over the seeds and mist with water. This helps increase the humidity surrounding the seeds during the germination period.

Blackout Phase


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Place another tray without holes on top of the seeds. Press down firmly and find some object to use as a weight to keep the tray in contact with the seeds.
Set your tray in a place where it will not get too hot or too cold; 65° to 75° F is ideal.

Every day you will lift the weight off the tray and mist your seeds lightly. Because microgreens are so delicate, allowing your tray to dry out will cause the stems to lose structure very quickly. I check my trays morning and night to see if they need any misting. If they look damp enough I skip misting until needed. Continue to leave the tray and weight on top of them for at least two more days.

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Once the seeds have put out roots it is time to turn the lid upside down on top of the tray.

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Keeping the seeds in the blackout phase like this will cause the seeds to stretch to find light. Depending on the type of seed, you will begin to see them forming baby leaves (cotyledons) within 3-5 days, then you will wait one more day before removing the tray completely.

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This is when you will start putting a small amount of water in the bottom tray. Simply lift the seeding tray up a bit and pour a small amount of water into the tray. Just enough to cover the bottom. The roots will reach for the water and allow the shoots to grow tall and strong. You will no longer be using a misting bottle once you start bottom watering.

The Light Phase


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Every crop needs plenty of light to thrive and microgreens are no different. I highly recommend using full-spectrum LED grow lights for growing microgreens or any other seeds you may want to start. I have had great success with the Barrina LED Lights from Amazon.

Turn your lights on in the morning and keep them on for twelve hours. After checking if they need bottom watering at night, you can turn them off until the next day.

Also, I use a rotating fan during the day to circulate the air and help to create strong seedlings. Many types of microgreens will be ready to harvest within 9-12 days from seeding. It is amazing how quickly they grow.

Harvesting


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When you feel your microgreens are ready to be harvested, grab a few with one hand and simply take a pair of kitchen sheers and cut the greens slightly above the surface of the soil.

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Continue cutting them carefully so as not to get any of the soil on them. Place them in an airtight container to enjoy them with your preferred meal. For this round, I grew beets and radish greens to enjoy with my daily salad.

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Nutritional Information
Radish

Vitamins A, B, C, E, K, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Amino Acids, Carotene, Chlorophyll, Antioxidants, Protein: 30%

Beet - Detroit Dark Red

Vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc, Antioxidants, and Protein
Source

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I like putting them in a variety of dishes, sandwiches, and salads as often as I can. Being an avid organic gardener, growing microgreens was an easy choice for me. Many wonderful sites show you how to grow "Microgreens". It is not difficult at all and the benefits are so worth it!

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Until next time, this is Sunscape
Sun. Scape. Ing Your Day

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Very yummy and nutritious!! You have green fingers!

I like putting them in a variety of dishes, sandwiches, and salads as often as I can. Being an avid organic gardener, growing microgreens was an easy choice for me

I have not tried growing microgreens! When I have the time, I would like to find out more. How does it taste?
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They taste just like the full-grown vegetable but a little stronger and definitely nutrient-dense. You should give it a go and start with broccoli or radish as they are easy.

Kind of envy you for this, but I'm also glad you can enjoy it 😃

Have a nice day my friend! 🤗

I do enjoy the microgreens and they are so good for you.

Wonderful! Micro greens are so nice to have at home, growing them yourself is so easy and effective. You need a lot of seeds though. And they can be expensive sometimes. But in collecting seeds throughout the years, I have a big "seed bank" at the moment. I might as well try this with all my amaranth and rocket seeds! Thanks for sharing your experience with growing these micro greens.

I think you should grow some with your extra seed, why not. I buy my seed in bulk from a microgreen company which the name eludes me at the moment.

I think we have some micro-green companies here, but it is still very new with many people opening big businesses. People pay big money for these little micro-greens!

I will definitely do it. Thank you so much for the reminder!

These look so tasty!

Thank you, they are delicious microgreens.

Is the soil for seedlings? Does it have biology and balanced minerals? Do you foliar feed or just use tap water?

Now the Christmas tree is down I’ve been thinking about growing greens… And because the rosemary died, I could do it in the round top window.

Yes, I use my seed starting mix and only use tap water since they grow so fast. I have used an organic solution called "Ocean Solution" but I find it unnecessary. Give it a try, you may just love it.