Microgreens are super easy to grow, they taste great and they’re a fantastic way to boost the nutritional content of your diet. They’re also a great garnish for your favorite dishes and are even delicious in juices.
There are a few things you can do to ensure your microgreens will grow and produce healthy plants with high concentrations of nutrients. Keep reading for some tips and tricks to help you grow your very own microgreen garden!
Use the Right Soil
Microgreens need the right soil to thrive. Soil that’s lightweight, airy, and nutrient-rich will give them just the right growing conditions.
A waterlogged soil robs your microgreens of oxygen and causes them to grow slowly, which can lead to thin, wilted plants. It can also cause problems like mold growth and damping off.
You can get the best soil for microgreens by customizing a mix to your specific needs. You can use potting soil or soilless mixes that contain peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite.
The best way to prepare your trays is to fill them with a generous amount of moistened potting soil. Spread the soil evenly and gently tamp it flat. Once your trays are filled, you can add seeds to them.
Keep Them Moisturized
Microgreens are not only a delicious addition to salads and dishes, but they are also super nutritious. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, carotenoids and cancer-fighting phytochemicals.
They are a great source of Vitamin A, C, K, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium and Fibre. They also help reduce blood pressure, improve liver health and prevent cancer.
When they are growing, it is important to keep them moist but not overly so. Overwatering will cause microgreens to turn yellow and wilt.
Keep Them Well-Watered
Microgreens are a great way to get more nutrients into your diet, but they need to be kept well-watered in order to thrive. They only need to be watered once a day during the early stages of their growth and may need to be watered twice a day when they are close to harvest.
Keeping the soil moist is also important to prevent mold from growing on the surface. This is an easy problem to avoid if you use a shallow container with drainage holes on the bottom.
The amount and frequency of watering you need to do depends on the variety of microgreens you are planting. Smaller plants like radishes, peas, and sunflowers can be watered just once a day while larger ones may need up to 2 cups of water added to the bottom tray twice a day.
Give Them Plenty of Light
Microgreens need light to grow. They can get by without it in the early stages of germination, but they will not thrive as healthy baby plants if it isn’t provided.
Getting a good amount of sunlight is important for optimum growth and for the development of antioxidants in the food. These are important nutrients to help protect the body against free radicals, which can damage the cells.
You can provide plenty of light for your microgreens by placing the growing trays on a sunny windowill or by using grow lamps. This will ensure that the seeds are bathed in light for 12 hours a day.
Keep Them Clean
Microgreens should be stored in a container with good air circulation and the right humidity. A ziploc(r) bag is a good option, but you need to open it at least every two or three days.
It’s also important to make sure that the container has enough room for the microgreens to grow. This will prevent the seed mix from compacting and creating conditions that discourage the growth of healthy roots.
You can use a variety of growing mediums for microgreens, including soil, coconut coir, and sterilized compost. These materials are lightweight and hold moisture well. They also provide adequate drainage.