How to Grow Microgreens at Home
Microgreens were first introduced as a garnish in the 1980s in a Californian restaurant. They are said to be healthy and super-powered nutritious- so here is How to grow Microgreens at Home. They are now popular all over the world. India is just catching on to this vegetable boom. I have seen most fine-dine restaurants displaying fresh micro greens on their buffet tables. They are added to salads. Sandwiches and even stir-fries.
These fragrant herbs or greens, have a unique taste and add a dash of colour to any dish. These tiny bite-sized greens boost the nutritional value and make your food healthier.
Source: http://bit.ly/3vF684Imicrogreens
What Are Microgreens?
Microgreens are fresh vegetable greens that are about 1–3 inches tall. Like baby corn or carrots, these are fresh baby greens. The first leaves and stalks are edible.
Grow them anywhere
Even if you live in concrete jungles and want to eat healthily, grow Microgreens. You do not need wide open spaces to grow them. You can grow them in any container or even a paper towel. So, space is not an issue. Put them in your kitchen, balcony, or your windowsill.
Easy to grow and fast to harvest
Once sown the microgreens are ready to harvest in 7 to 14 days.
Different Types of Microgreens
Microgreens can be grown from many various types of seeds.
My favourite is fenugreek and garlic. Lettuce, onion, spinach, amaranth are others in greens.
You can grow cereals like wheat, oats, chickpeas, beans and lentils as well.
The tastes of each may vary- like fenugreek has a slightly bitter taste as well as mustard. Some like wheatgrass have no taste while others may even be spicy like a radish.
They can be added as a wholesome and nutritious addition to your everyday meals.
Microgreens Are Nutritious
Microgreens are packed with concentrated nutrients- iron, magnesium, copper and zinc. And a great source of anti-oxidants. These spiralling levels of nutrients boost heart health and lower the risk of osteoporosis, cancer and Alzheimer’s.
How to Grow Microgreens at Home
These are easy step-by-step instructions to grow your very own fresh, power-packed, flavoursome micro-greens.
Source: http://bit.ly/howtogrowmicrogreens
Step 1: Choose your Seeds
Just dig into your spice cabinet. For starters, you can use fenugreek, mustard and coriander seeds to sow. You can also use moong beans, chickpeas, and dried peas, from your lentil shelf.
Step 2: Choice of Container
Preferably, microgreens are grown in flat trays. They need only 2-3 inches of soil. If you do not have a tray, use a disposable plate or a cardboard box, tetra packs, a shallow basket or even a thick paper towel. Egg trays are great too. Just see that the water drains off. It should now retain excess water.
Step 3: The Growing Soil
Any topsoil with some Coco-peat or just Vermicompost is great for growing microgreens. These are available in your neighbourhood nursery.
Step 4: Organise Everything
Firstly, spread the soil in the container. Shouldn’t be more than 2 inches. Next, spread the seeds closely on the soil. Now cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil in order to cover the seeds.
Cover with a newspaper or any then cover as the seeds germinate in a cool condition with no sunlight. Finally, spray the container with water.
Step 5: Place in the Sun
In 3-4 days, you will notice small leaves growing over the soil with tiny shoots at the bottom. Once you see the shoots appearing, you can remove the cover and expose the container to sunlight. This would take 3-4 days. Do not place directly under the sun. A windowsill is an ideal place or any area which gets indirect sunlight is fine. Keep spraying the microgreens with water, daily.
Step 6: Time to Harvest
After a week, you will be delighted to see your container bursting with healthy Microgreens. Once the plants are 2-3 inches tall, they are ready to be harvested. If you delay the harvesting, the greens may turn bitter. Take a pair of scissors and cut the Microgreens, from just above the roots.
Next, wash them with cold running water and the green gems are ready to amplify your meal! Once you harvest them, try to have them fresh. But in case they are surplus, dry and wrap in a paper towel and store in the fridge for later use.
How to Grow Microgreens at Home
It is super easy, isn’t it? Anyone can grow them with the seeds available in your pantry. No other plant food gives such quick results. The joy of watching the greens and eating them is limitless.
Do try and share with me if you do grow them. You will fall in love with them. If you are a smoothie loves then make smoothies. I use them in my eggs, sandwiches and stir-fries. I even make Methi-aloo with fenugreek microgreens and baby potatoes.
Points to Note:
Do not use any chemicals or the whole purpose will be lost.
Do check out 10 Organic Remedies for garden pests
Use the best soil.
Punch holes to let the water drain
Only spray water lightly.
My garden to table recipes-my Garden to Table recipes- Radish or Mooli ke Patte ki sabzi, Andhra mullakada, Sorakaya Majjiga Pulusu , Kadhi-Chawal with Kale pakoras
‘This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter’
Wow loved it. my girls are highly interested in gardening. in fact, my little one was saying yesterday to grow flowery plants at home. your post has inspired me dear to try this at my place. would love to do this in upcoming spring season.
That’s so sweet of you Surbhi…please do encourage them to grow both..flowers and vegetables
Since last year, I started growing Mint and Cilantro and yo are right. It is so satisfying to make fresh chutney from garden picked mint leaves. This year, I planted a few flowers also and when they started to blossoms, the snow storm tuned the entire scene.
That’s great to hear..try the fenugreek..its very easy to grow actually..nature has its own moods..dunno how farmers survive
I have been ordering them and tried planting them but in vain. I guess you need to have a good hand with the planting. I’m the home gardener, yet I have so much to read.
Oh its not that difficult..it depends on the seeds u r using s well and the soil
I am a plant parent and I am glad that you put up this article for people starting with growing their own veggies. Microgreens are a delight to grow for sure.
Thank you Judy…that is great to know…stay blessed with green fingers
I had no idea about growing micro-greens. I will try this with my kids in the upcoming summer. Growing and harvesting micro-greens will be a fun vacation engagement with some education on the side.
my pleasure, Neha…do try it out..they will love it. My grandsons are into gardening now.
Microgreens are not just a great source of fiber , iron and micronutrients but also so nice to look at and add so much flavor to food.Thanks for sharing how to grow microgreens at home.
Thank you, Pretti..hope you also try to grow them and benefit from it
I tried growing coriander and failed and then I realized that the container which I selected was wrong and now I have learned, thanks for sharing this easy way to grow your own garden!!
Thanks Ruchi..we all learn from mistakes..just don’t give up
I’ve tried so many times but microgreens don’t seem to like me. Will try again with your tips. Nothing like having your own home garden and plucking your greens from it.
Microgreens are great for health and growing them at home is the best. It’s a very good project for kids as well and J keep doing it with my daughter.
My mom has a terrace garden and she loves growing things and out of all, I am sure her favorites are microgreens. But it’s the opposite with me, whenever I have tried growing greens they just don’t show up. I have no idea what I am doing wrong.
Thank u Neha..learn from your mom dear 🙂
It is always good to grow greens at home and with crunch of space microgreens are paving its way to every home. I too shall try after deciding the seeds. Your post is a complete guide to have microgreens at home.
Thank u MeenalSonal..do try it out..its worth it totally
Even I have been growing microgreens in my kitchen garden and love how they made every food tasty and nutritious.
Thats great Rakhi….keep at it 🙂
I have a small kitchen garden too at home with curry leaves, chillies, basil, mint leaves, peppermint plant and cilantro growing right now. It’s my place of happiness at home and it feels such a treat when I use them in cooking.
Wonderful! These are basic things thta we all need everyday and its great u have them growing
I have been growing vegetables in my balcony and it’s really nice to grow your own food. Would surely try to grow microgreens through your way
Microgreen is the easiest gardening project and something my 4 year old enjoys much. in fact after growing methi seeds himself he started eating them too.
Thats fabulous..even my grandsons love gardening
This is amazing. I too want to try micro green. It not only gives us green but boosts the mood.as well. Your post has urged me to start it.
Thank you..please try it..its not very difficult