Microgreens are tiny, tender, flavorful seedlings of vegetables and herbs. Considered a superfood packed with vitamins and antioxidants, microgreens are used to add color, taste, and texture to a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches. For those who are interested in trying their hand at home gardening, growing microgreens can be a fun and rewarding place to start – all you need is a microgreens tray, some seeds, and a little patience.
Microgreens trays are an essential component of microgreen cultivation, providing the ideal environment for these small yet potent plants to thrive. This guide provides essential knowledge and handy tips for beginner gardeners looking to get started with their own microgreens tray at home.
Microgreens Trays: The Basics
Microgreens trays, often made from plastic, are available in a variety of sizes, each designed to cater to different volumes of production. Generally, trays are shallow, around 1-2 inches in depth, and can either be simple flat containers or specially-designed compartmentalized trays.
There are two main types of microgreens trays – those with holes and those without. Trays with holes are ideal for ensuring proper drainage, preventing waterlogged soil, which can lead to issues like root rot or fungus growth. However, using trays with holes may require an additional ‘catchment’ tray underneath to collect run-off water.
Trays without holes can create a more stable water supply for your microgreens, but gardeners must be cautious about overwatering to avoid the aforementioned issues.
Apart from this, some trays come with clear plastic domes that create a greenhouse-like environment for your microgreens, supplying them with a consistent humidity level and temperature, which is particularly beneficial for germination and early growth stages.
The Ultimate Guide to Growing Microgreens in Trays
Microgreen Tray Size
Small trays are usually ideal for home gardeners as they are space-efficient and can easily be placed by a kitchen window or on a balcony. Ensure that the tray is sufficiently shallow. Microgreens do not need lots of space to put down roots, unlike larger plants. Some beginners make the error of using deeper trays, undermining the efficiency of watering and potentially wasting growth medium. Commercial growers may use larger trays for bulk production, but for beginners, smaller is usually better.
Preparing Your Tray for Planting Microgreens
Start by choosing an appropriate growth medium. Seedlings require a fine-textured and nutrient-rich substrate for optimum growth. Options range from pre-prepared microgreens mixes to coir (coconut fiber), vermiculite, perlite, or a good quality compost. Once chosen, the growth medium should be added to the tray up to about 0.5-1″ depth, then gently watered.
Sowing Your Microgreens Seeds
After the tray has been suitably prepared, the microgreens seeds can be sown. It’s better to sow more seeds than you think you’ll need as not all seeds will germinate and it’s preferable to have a dense tray of growth.
Distribute the seeds evenly across the surface of the growth medium. After sowing, lightly mist the seeds with a water spray.
Using a Propagation Dome
If available, place a propagation dome or clear plastic lid over the tray. This aids in maintaining a humid environment conducive to seed germination. During this germination period, keep the tray in a warm location out of direct sunlight.
Removing the Propagation Dome and Light Exposure
Once most of the seeds have germinated, the dome or lid can be removed. From this point, the microgreens need plenty of light, ideally sourced from a sunny window or LED grow light.
Watering Your Microgreens
Microgreens should be watered regularly but sparingly. Overwatering can encourage ‘damping-off’ disease, which decimates seedlings. Applying water using a mist-spray is an effective way to control this.
When to Harvest Microgreens
Most microgreens are ready to be harvested within a week or two after germination, as soon as they develop their first ‘true’ set of leaves.
Cleaning and Reusing Your Microgreens Tray
After harvesting, the tray should be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized, preferably using a bleach solution, to ensure that no disease or fungi will affect your next crop.
In conclusion, successful microgreen cultivation is dependent on several crucial factors, with the choice and management of microgreen trays being paramount. With the correct knowledge and a bit of practice, beginner gardeners and enthusiasts can enjoy continuous, fresh, and flavorsome microgreens directly from their own kitchen or balcony.
