I’ve heard several reports on the skyrocketing price of lettuce around the country. I think it’s more expensive in the northeastern part of the US, but it’s getting out of hand here as well. Two bucks for a head of lettuce is ridiculous.
Now, I’ve got lettuce growing using the hydroponics method I blogged about last month. But it will be nearly a month before any is ready to be harvested. See, I had a little hiccup. Apparently in harvesting the last of the garden last month, I brought in some hitchhikers, nasty little aphids. They quickly found the lettuce under the grow lights and we nice and happy reproducing there. So I had to kill them all, lettuce included.
And while I wait for the lettuce to grow again, I figured it’s a good time to learn about microgreens. Fortunately, I ordered the seeds at the end of summer and also picked up a few different packets at the farm and ranch store. I’ve been saving the plastic containers we sometimes get lettuce in, so I’ve got those ready to go as well. I just have to quit typing here, get dressed, and go to work. I’ll have everything started long before lunchtime rolls around.
Microgreens, the sprouts of all kinds of herbs and vegetables, pack a powerful nutritional bunch, loaded as they are with vitamins and minerals. Not only are the nutrients concentrated in those baby plants, but the flavor can also be pretty intense, so a little goes a long ways.
Microgreens make a perfect addition to sandwiches and wraps, as well as smoothies, soup, omelets, and tacos. And they are really easy and inexpensive. Anyone with a sunny window can grow them, though they do grow faster under grow lights.
Begin by gathering your supplies:
Container. I’m using plastic salad containers I’ve been saving. Other options are foil pie pans, Styrofoam take out containers, or even baking pans. Of course, you can buy official microgreen growing trays and mats. Sources are divided as to whether drainage holes are essential. I’m going to skip the drainage holes and hope that careful monitoring of moisture in the potting mix will be sufficient.
Growing medium. While you can grow microgreens in soil, results tend to be better using a potting mix as the opportunity for mold to grow is reduced. I’m using peat moss and perlite in a 3:1 ratio because that’s what I have here. Some people like using compost.
Seeds. Numerous experts advise using only organic seed and/or seed specifically packaged for use in growing microgreens. I suspect that using regular seed would really be just fine. However, in my limited experience, microgreens seeds are much more cost-effective than regular garden seed packets. Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower are recommended as the easiest for beginners to grow. Other popular choices for microgreens are lettuce, spinach, radishes, mustard, sunflower, and buckwheat.
Putting it all together:
Put ½ inch of water in your growing container. Add 1-2 inches of your chosen potting mix to the container and mix it with the water. Level the growing medium and lightly pat it down. You don’t want to over-compress it. Scatter the seeds evenly over the surface (10 small seeds or 5 large seeds per square inch) and lightly press them into the soil. Sprinkle a very thin layer of potting mix or vermiculite over the top of the seeds. Then dampen the surface with a mister and cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap to hold in the moisture.
Mist the seeds 1-2 times per day, as needed. If you’re not sure whether the seeds need watering, poke your finger about ½” deep into the soil. If it is dry, the seeds need watering. If not, they don’t. If it’s really wet, you may be drowning the seeds. Placing the seeds in the dark at this point for a few days may aid germination. Keep the seeds covered until they germinate.
After the seeds sprout, remove the cover or plastic and continue misting 1-2 times per day.
The microgreens need at least four hours of sunlight each day. If you are growing them in a sunny window, rotate them every day or so to keep the sprouts growing straight. South-facing windows will be more effective than windows facing other directions.
The microgreens will be ready to harvest when they are 1-3 inches tall, or when they have their first pair of true leaves, by using scissors to snip them off at the soil line. This could take up to a month when grown in a sunny window, or they may be ready in as little as ten days under a grow light. Just wash and they are ready to eat. Store any leftover microgreens in the refrigerator and wash just before eating.
Ready to plant again? Just scatter the seeds over the potting mix again and repeat the steps.
Helpful hints: If sprouts are leggy or pale, they need more light. If they wilt over they need more water. Large seeds like peas and sunflowers benefit from pre-soaking 6-10 hours before sowing. Popcorn microgreens are super sweet if grown in the dark, and they are ready for harvest in just 8 days. Basil seeds must have good strong light.
If you use regular garden seeds, be sure to use untreated seeds. A few types of seeds, especially grains and sweet corn, are frequently coated with a fungicide. It’s easy to tell because they are usually dyed pink. I’m enjoying reading about your experiment with the kratky method. I too have been struggling with aphids on my curry plant which was outside this past summer.
ReplyDeleteGood reminder on the fungicides.
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