Growing your own microgreens at home presents an accessible and fulfilling opportunity to cultivate your food source. As compact plants bursting with nutrients and flavor, these culinary darlings are welcomed in households and highly sought after in restaurants, salad bars, and health-conscious establishments. While most garden crops might take months until harvest, certain varieties of microgreens will have you harvesting in as little as one to two weeks. These quickest to grow are the focus of our discussion today.
The term ‘microgreens’ refers to seedlings harvested at the cotyledon stage, or when the first true leaves just start to appear. They are plucked just above the soil level, delivering a culinary item much fresher than anything available commercially.
To succeed in indoor farming, select the fastest growing microgreens that favor indoor conditions. They should require minimal growing aids, besides good-quality, organic soil and adequate sunlight or artificial light. The top five fastest-growing microgreens are as follows:
1. Radishes: Radishes are one of the most favored microgreens by growers. They germinate within one to two days, and are ready for harvest seven to ten days after. Their crimson stems and jade-green leaves pack a gentle peppery taste, adding a pleasant crunch on sandwiches, salads, and soups.
2. Broccoli: While regular broccoli may take up to two months to reach maturity, broccoli microgreens are harvest-ready in ten to fourteen days. Their small, light green cotyledons have a milder, yet distinctive broccoli flavor. They’re a huge health booster with high concentrations of vitamins A, C, calcium, and fiber.
3. Arugula: Another fast-growing microgreen is arugula. Known for its spicy, peppery tang, arugula microgreens can be harvested in about 10 days. Their flavor is quite potent—ideal for adding a flavorful kick to salads or lightening heavier dishes like pasta and meat.
4. Cabbage: Cabbage microgreens grow quickly with harvest time around ten to twelve days. Their flavors are true to mature cabbage, albeit milder and slightly sweeter. Many gardeners opt for the ‘Red Acre’ variety for its deep purple, visually appealing leaves.
5. Mustard Greens: Mustard is a flavorful and spicy addition to your indoor garden, sprouting within 4-5 days and reaching harvest size in around fourteen days. They’re popular with chefs for their vibrant green leaves and bold flavor that pair well with many dishes.
Proper care for your microgreens is instrumental in ensuring fast growth. Starting with quality seeds is pivotal, so be sure to invest in non-GMO, organic seeds from reputable supply companies. Next, they should be sown in shallow trays filled with 1-2 inches of organic potting soil. Press the seeds lightly into the soil, then cover with a thin layer. Microgreens have a short growing cycle and don’t require much root space.
Water them with a fine spray bottle to prevent erosion or displacement of the seeds. Microgreens prefer mild, indirect sunlight at a room temperature between 60 and 70°F. Consider positioning comingling plants nearby to create a favorable microclimate, reflecting light and helping to maintain moisture.
You can maximize productivity by staggering the planting dates. Every few days, sow a new tray. This way, you constantly have a fresh batch of microgreens ready to harvest.
Harvesting couldn’t be any more trouble-free. Once your microgreens are 2-3 inches tall, with their first true leaves appearing, they’re ready. Use a clean, sharp pair of scissors to cut the stems just above the soil level. Rinely gently under cold water, and they’re ready to be enjoyed.
To sum everything up, even if you’re new to indoor gardening or gardening as a whole, venturing into microgreens cultivation is a worthwhile endeavor. These little powerhouses of nutrition grow quickly and easily with minimal time and space required. Whether you lean towards radish, broccoli, arugula, cabbage, or mustard greens, you’re sure to relish the experience of growing and harvesting your very own microgreens at home.
Remember that gardening success comes from practice and experimenting. Don’t get discouraged if things don’t turn out perfect the first time. Be patient with yourself, and before you know it, these tiny greens will become a regular fixture in your home and your meals.
