Microgreens are the young seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs that are harvested less than 14 days after germination. They’re packed with nutrients and are often used to enhance flavor in salads, sandwiches, and other foods. For those passionate about gardening and healthy lifestyle, these can be a great addition to your garden. Growing microgreens at home is simple and rewarding, but having some practical hacks at your disposal can improve your yield, maximize your nutrients, and indeed, make the process even simpler. Here, we will explore several of those microgreens growing hacks.
To start, selecting your seeds is imperative. It’s essential to buy seeds that are labeled specifically for microgreen production, as these are untreated with chemicals. Also, opt for the organic seeds. Radishes, broccoli, kale, and arugula are great to start with as they grow quickly, and are packed with nutritious values.
A common struggle gardeners experience is uneven germination, where some seeds sprout rapidly while others lag behind. One successful hack to resolve uneven germination is soaking your seeds before planting. A few hours or overnight soaking can provide moisture for the seeds, speeding up the germination process and ensuring a more uniform sprouting.
While any shallow container with drainage holes can be used to grow microgreens, repurposing plastic food containers (like those from a salad bar) is a clever and eco-friendly hack. After cleaning and drying, one can poke drainage holes, fill it with soil, and sow seeds. These containers are typically the perfect depth and they come with a transparent lid, which can serve as a greenhouse cover for the initial growth period.
Consider maximizing your growing surface in a vertical way. Urban gardeners, in particular, have been successful with this strategy. Use tiered shelving units, and place each tray on a different shelf. This space-saving hack allows you to grow more greens in less space, as vertical gardening takes advantage of height rather than horizontal area.
Another important aspect is the type of soil you use. Although a regular potting mix will do the job, the best hack for superior microgreen growth is using organic soil with compost or worm castings. These enhance the nutrient content–benefiting your greens’ growth and nutritional value considerably.
Lighting is a crucial element in the growing process. If you lack direct sunlight, using fluorescent or LED grow lights can significantly improve your greens’ growth. Place them around six inches above the plants, adjusting as they grow. This allows for optimal growth and prevents leggy and feeble greens.
The watering technique is a game-changer. Overwatering can lead to mold, which can ruin your entire batch. A popular hack is bottom-watering where you pour water onto the tray holding your greens container, letting the roots soak up what they need. This prevents over-saturation and mold growth.
For hardier and tastier microgreens, a foolproof hack is to use ocean trace minerals. These create a more natural growing environment that results in better tasting greens, with a higher mineral content too. Weekly application is usually sufficient.
A good hack to increase the nutritional content is applying a foliar spray, which is applied directly to the leaves. This is because microgreens absorb nutrients through their leaves, and this spray provides a quick, highly absorbable source of nutrients.
Arguably, the most underutilized hack is using blackout dome. After sowing the seeds, they should be made to sit in total darkness for a few days (between three to seven days depending on the seed). This darkness encourages faster, more uniform germination as it mimics the natural soil cover seeds would have in their outdoor environment.
Harvesting should be done in the morning before the sun’s warmth reaches the leaves. This is when the plant’s moisture content is highest, which means it’s packed with nutrients.
Following these microgreens growing hacks can essentially lead to a healthier yield. Just remember–microgreens require little space, minimal sun exposure, and just a couple of weeks to grow. Indeed, with a few hacks and tricks, one can optimize their growth and yield.
Keywords: Microgreens, microgreen production, organic seeds, germination, eco-friendly, vertical gardening, natural growing environment, nutritional content, harvesting.
