growing microgreens

How To Grow Micro-greens

Micro-greens are very easy to grow. You can grow them outside, in a garden bed or in containers, or inside on a sunny windowsill.

If you are planting micro-greens in a garden bed, loosen the soil and rake it smooth. Scatter your seed mix so that the seeds are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart -- remember, we're harvesting them very young, so they don't need a lot of room. Once the seed is scattered over the area, cover it with about 1/8 of an inch of soil and water gently but thoroughly.

If you're planting in a container, the first step is to choose a container that is at least two inches deep and as large in diameter as you want. Fill it with a good quality organic potting mix, and smooth the soil. Scatter the seeds so that they are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart, and cover with 1/8 inch of soil. Water gently but thoroughly, an place your container in a spot where it will get at least four hours of sunlight. If you're growing them indoors, a south-facing window is best, but an eastern or western-facing one will do as well.

In either case, do not let the soil dry out, and be sure to remove any weeds so that the tiny greens don't have to compete with them for water and nutrients. Because you'll be harvesting the greens so young, you don't really need to fertilize them while they're growing. If you've got plenty of organic matter in your garden bed, that will be perfect. For containers, mixing in a bit of granular organic fertilizer to the soil before you plant will work fine, especially if you plan on using the same soil for several plantings of greens (more on this below.) Micro-greens grow for such a short period of time that they are rarely bothered by pests and diseases. However, if you are growing brassicas in your mix (mustard, kale, etc.) and cabbage worms are a problem, you may want to cover your micro-greens with a floating row cover to protect them.

Harvesting Micro-greens

The best time to harvest micro-greens is when they've developed their first set of true leaves (the first ones are seed leaves, and don't look anything like the actual leaves of the plant), which is generally about ten days to two weeks after planting. To harvest, simply snip the micro-greens just above soil level.

Unlike mesclun or baby greens, you won't be able to get additional harvests from one planting of micro-greens. Because the plants haven't had much time to develop, and you're snipping off everything except the very bottom of the stem, the plant has no way to generate new growth. You can plant another crop after harvest by simply scattering fresh seed and covering it with soil. You don't need to remove the old roots; they are good sources of organic matter.

As you can see, micro-greens are simple to grow, and provide you with a quick harvest for not much work. You can add them to salads, sandwiches, or stir-fries, and it's much cheaper to grow your own than it is to purchase them. Experiment with different mixes, adding the varieties you like best. They're definitely deserving of a spot in your garden.

INFORMATION FROM PINETREE GARDENS WITH SEED ORDER

The sun is shining, the birds are singing

It has been a good week to be a gardener.  I got busy indoors last weekend sowing my seeds indoors and the sprouts are coming up.  Cabbage, lettuce, and radicchio have sprouted and as soon as the first set of true leaves pop, I will transplant them into larger cells so I can put plants into the garden later.  The basement greenhouse got a big overhaul also.  I made cuttings and dumped out a number of stock pots to make room for the seeding.  I also put up my shelves and light in my kitchen window for expanded growing space.

 We have had a change in weather in Milwaukee.  The sun has been showing up on a regular basis and the snow is nearly melted even in the shady parts of my yard.  I took a walk around the garden this afternoon and picked up a bit of soil in the garden.  It is a bit wet for working yet, but it has warmed up quite a bit, even in the bed not covered with clear plastic.  I think that I will have to get the garden peas and radishes in this weekend.  If all goes well, the onion plants can make it in soon.  I have to start hardening them off by giving them a few hours of outdoor exposure each day until they are ready to stay out all the time.

Even though I haven't gotten in early plants this year, I have done more indoor gardening.  I bought micro-greens mixes from Pinetree Gardens last year.  The germination is still very good, so I have been sowing 4" pots for fresh cut greens.  I add them to the top of a lettuce salad for a bit of flavor beyond romaine lettuce.  I also brought out the sprouting seeds and have done several batches of mung bean and alfalfa sprouts to salads and sandwiches.  Every little bit of homegrown makes such a difference.  Once you have put out the initial expense of seed, soil, and containers, it becomes more affordable to do yourself.  It is also fun to pop the little extras into the lunchbox for a bit of summer during the cold months.