The world of home gardening is witnessing a new trend – growing microgreens. These tiny plants are packed with nutrients and can be grown year-round in the comfort of your home. For beginners to this ecosystem of greenery, one of the essential tools to have is a microgreens tray.
A microgreens tray is a small, shallow, and often segmented container where you can sow your microgreens seeds. It typically features perforated holes for drainage and sometimes comes with a lid for humidity control.
In the journey of growing microgreens, the selection of the proper tray plays a pivotal part. Here’s what you need to know about these crucial garden companions.
## Understanding the Need for Microgreens Trays
Before we dive into the details, it’s important to understand why we need specific trays for microgreens. Many people might wonder – why not just use any tray or container available at home?
Microgreens are delicate and require a controlled environment for their optimum growth, something that a specialized tray can provide. It offers the right amount of space for microgreens to grow and helps in managing soil, light, water, and air conditions effectively.
## Types of Microgreens Trays
Microgreens trays come in various designs, but the two most common are those with holes and those without. Trays with holes are perfect for gardeners who intend to bottom water their microgreens. The holes permit the roots to draw water from beneath, which makes the watering process easier and ensures the topsoil does not get waterlogged.
On the other hand, trays without holes are ideal for those who prefer top watering their plants. These trays help retain water and reduce the mess caused due to spillage.
There are also multi-tiered microgreens trays, perfect for gardeners with limited space. These trays stack vertically, allowing you to grow multiple crops simultaneously without occupying too much floor area.
## Material Matters
When purchasing a microgreens tray, the material is an essential factor to consider. Typically, most trays are made from plastic because it’s durable and lightweight, ensuring ease of handling. Other options are biodegradable trays made from materials like coconut fiber and rice husks. They offer an eco-friendly alternative but may not last as long.
## Size and Depth of the Tray
The size and depth of the tray correlate directly with the variety of microgreens you plan to cultivate. Trays are typically 10×20 inches in size, but other sizes are also available, allowing you to choose based on the available space and the quantity of yield you desire.
Microgreens like wheatgrass and sunflower that have thicker roots require deeper trays of around 2 inches. Whereas, greens with delicate roots like broccoli and kale do well in trays with a depth of 1-1.5 inches.
## Microgreens Tray Kits
For beginners, microgreens tray kits can be an answer to getting started. These kits comprise a seedbed, growing trays, a watering tray, a lid for creating a greenhouse effect, and often seed packets. The main advantage is that these kits generally come with an instruction guide, simplifying the process further.
## Cleaning and Maintenance
An essential part of maintaining microgreens trays is ensuring cleanliness. It helps prevent the development of mold and diseases that can harm the young plants. After each harvest, it’s crucial to remove all residues, wash the trays with a mild eco-friendly soap or a vinegar solution, and allow them to dry before the next use.
## Ventilation and Drainage
Ventilation is vital for successful microgreens growth. Some microgreens trays come with lids that have adjustable vents. These can be opened or closed depending on the need for fresh airflow.
Similarly, proper drainage helps the roots draw adequate water without becoming waterlogged. Trays with holes provide the best drainage solution for microgreens.
## Bottom-Line
Embarking on the journey of growing microgreens does not require large acres of land or in-depth gardening knowledge. All it demands is the passion for nurturing living things and the right tools, key amongst which is a good microgreens tray. Its role is not only foundational in the initial steps when you sow the seeds but continues throughout the life cycle of the microgreens.
Choosing the right tray, understanding how to manage it, and ensuring its cleanliness and maintenance can set the course for a lush green harvest. There’s plenty of joy and satisfaction to be harvested alongside the nutrient-packed microgreens, all of which starts with choosing the correct microgreens tray.
