The beauty of microgreen gardening is that it requires minimal space, time, and effort to yield impressive results. One of the best ways to jump-start your gardening journey is to harness the power of microgreen trays. These trays, specifically designed for microgreen cultivation, provide an excellent opportunity for beginners to dig their hands into the fascinating world of gardening.
Microgreens – A Quick Snapshot
Before delving deeper into microgreen trays, it is essential to understand what microgreens essentially are. Microgreens refer to a variety of edible young greens harvested just a few weeks after their seedling stage. They can include vegetables like radishes, beets, broccoli, and herbs like cilantro and basil. Not to be confused with sprouts, microgreens are a stage of plant growth encompassing both sprouts and maturity.
The fantastic thing about microgreens is that they typically contain higher vitamin and antioxidant concentrations than their mature counterparts. They make a delicious and nutritious addition to salads, sandwiches, and a variety of other dishes.
Understanding Microgreen Trays
Microgreen trays provide an optimal environment for the healthy growth of microgreens. These trays have drainage holes to protect plants against excessive water accumulation, which is essential as microgreens are sensitive to drowning and are prone to rot if left in standing water.
The trays are usually shallow, with a depth of approximately 2 inches, which is perfect for microgreens as they are not deep-rooted plants. Thus, the shallow depth of the trays allows for easy harvesting without damaging the plants. Made from a variety of materials such as BPA-free plastic, ceramic, and biodegradable materials, microgreen trays cater to different preferences and needs.
The microgreen trays usually come with a drip tray, a seedling tray, and a transparent cover. The drip tray collects excess water, avoiding messes and allowing rehydration of the microgreens from the bottom rather than from the top. The seedling tray houses the growing microgreens, and the transparent cover retains the moisture and heat, creating a greenhouse environment.
Getting Rid of Soil with Hydroponic Microgreen Trays
A noteworthy mention among microgreen trays are hydroponic trays – a soil-less cultivation method where plants get their nutrients from a water-based solution. For those who want to steer clear of the mess that comes with soil cultivation, hydroponic microgreen trays are an excellent choice. The chief advantage of hydroponic trays is that they eliminate soil-borne diseases, and there remains no worry of overwatering or underwatering.
Picking Your Microgreen Trays
When it comes to choosing a microgreen tray, factors such as the tray’s size, drainage capabilities, durability, and aesthetic appearance matter. Large trays are great for yielding higher produce, but smaller trays make it easier for crop rotation.
For beginners, it’s advisable to pick deep, durable, BPA-free plastic trays which are less likely to crack or warp over time. Aesthetics matters too, particularly if the plants will be situated in visible locations. Terracotta, ceramic, or bamboo trays can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your gardening endeavour.
Planting Your Microgreens
Once you’ve landed yourself a tray, it’s time to start planting. Sprinkle microgreen seeds generously on your chosen planting medium, be it soil or a soil-less mix. Lightly cover them with a second thin layer of the planting medium. After planting, place the tray lid on top or wrap it in a clear plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect that will speed up germination.
Light, Water, and Temperature
Microgreens require plenty of gentle light. A sunny windowsill is an ideal location for your microgreen tray. But, if natural light is insufficient, consider using grow lights.
For watering, lower watering or bottom watering is the preferred method. Pour water into the drip tray, and the planting medium will soak up water from the bottom. This method reduces the risk of mould growth and other diseases caused by dampness on the plant’s foliage.
Microgreens are best grown in cool to moderate temperatures. Most microgreen seeds germinate best at temperatures between 60-75°F.
Harvesting Your Microgreens
Typically, microgreens are ready to harvest in 1-3 weeks after planting, once they’ve grown their first true leaves – the ones that look like a miniature version of the adult plant’s leaves. To harvest, simply take a pair of clean scissors, and cut the microgreens just above the soil level.
Final Thoughts
Microgreen trays are a powerful tool to make the most out of your gardening experience. They promote efficient space utilization, easy and efficient watering, and mess-free planting and harvesting. Start your foray into gardening with these trays, let your green thumb shine and enjoy the nutritious harvest of your effort. And remember, gardening is a learning journey. Don’t get disheartened by initial failures because every setback will make your victory soil much richer.
