How to Grow Microgreens at Home

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.

https://youtu.be/l2jQpnq8OIc

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’