Easy Beginners Micro Green Guide
Here is a quick easy guide to grow microgreens
Microgreens are young, edible plants harvested at an early stage of growth, typically when the first true leaves (cotyledons) have developed. These tiny greens pack a punch when it comes to flavour, color, and nutritional value. If you are begininng on your microgreen journey, growing green and red daikons are very easy, along with peashoots. All these grow super fast, with little fuss needed. I grow all of these on my kitchen window sill.
Microgreens are known for being easy to grow, requiring minimal space, and are often grown in small containers, making them ideal for urban gardening or even indoor cultivation. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, offering a concentrated dose of nutrition in a small serving.
In culinary settings, microgreens are used as garnishes, salad ingredients, or toppings for dishes to add flavour, texture, and visual appeal. They're also gaining popularity in health-conscious diets due to their dense nutrient content.
read more about microgreens from here
You need:
Shallow pots ( I use terracotta pots with drainage holes)
Herb soil
Plastic bag/clingfilm
Spray bottle/can for watering
1) Growing Pea sprouts
Growing pea sprouts is very easy. You take some dried peas that can be purchased from a food store. You soak a handful of them in a bowl in room temperature water overnight. Soaking them, will soften the shell of the seed and help them grow faster. The following day, you take a somewhat shallow pot (as you eat the pea shoots when they are maximum about 15cm long) that has a drainage hole in the bottom. I used a terracotta pot, as can be seen above.
Place a little bit of herb soil on the bottom of your pot. Only around 2-3cm will do so you do not waste your soil. Now you can water the soil so it is nice and moist. Place the pea seeds on top of the soil. I used a lot of the seeds at once, tightly next to each other so I get a maximum harvest at once. Then just add a small amount of soil on top of the seeds, just enough that they are gently covered. It really needs the smallest amount. Then spray the top of the soil with a water bottle so they are moist.
Create a warm moist atmosphere:
Take some clingfilm or a plastic bag that you poke about 10 holes into. Place this on top of your terracotta pot for the first 2-3 days until your seeds start to sprout. Spray a little water inside the plastic cover so the plastic creates a moist roof on top of the seeds. Tuck it under the pot and place it on a windowsill, where it catches sunlight. Water daily. After about 3 days the pea sprouts start pushing through the soil, then you can remove the clingfilm. Watch them grow and enjoy the harvest possibly after a week. I eat them all away and do not let them grow over 20cm. Once I have eaten it all. I literally dump the soil out and start over again with the same process.
pea shoots pushing through after about 4 days
2) Growing Green & Red Daikon, Radish microgreens
If you are going to start growing your first set of micro greens, start with green or red daikon radish. The reason for this, is because they grow very fast, the greens are durable and easy to grow in simple conditions.
Radish microgreens contain various vitamins such as A, B, C, E, and K, numerous minerals (iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc), essential amino acids, and antioxidants.
In general, microgreens are an extremely nutrient-rich food. They can contain up to tens of times more nutrients than their full-sized plant counterparts. It's genuine superfood that doesn't come in a powder form in a jar.
Radish is a very popular and fast growing microgreen, this is why I love to grow them on my windowsill throughout March-November. It literally grows in a week and the fastness of the harvest is very satisfying. The red radish as a mild spiciness and together the green and the red make a beautiful garnish. Add these micro greens to my morning sourdough that is topped with avocado or eggs. I often garnish a main dish like fish or seafood with these microgreens or add a handful to a smoothie for extra health benefits.
Often the internet says to place the seeds into a dark place to help the germination process, however I have never done this and place the pots directly onto my windowsill and the seeds germinate in the next few days.
How to grow?
This growing process works the exact same way as growing the pea shoots. With green and red daikon radish, you do not need to soak the seeds prior to planting. For these, I always use a shallow pot as this makes it easier when harvesting them.
Place about 2cm of herb soil on the bottom of a shallow pot. My pots always have a drainage hole so I do not over water. Press the soil down with your hands so it is flat and water it. Now sprinkle a good amount of seeds next to each other. Add a small amount of soil on top, just enough so the seeds are gently covered. It does not matter if all the seeds are not under the soil. Then spray the top of the soil with water. The reason I use a spray bottle is because if you use a normal watering can, it tends to expose the seeds from under the soil.
Cover with clingfilm: To create a mini-greenhouse effect and speed up germination, cover the pots with a layer of clear clingfilm or plastic wrap. Poke a few holes in to the plastic to allow for air circulation while still retaining some moisture. This helps to retain moisture and warmth, creating an ideal environment for seed germination. Keep an eye on the pots daily and water as needed to maintain soil moisture. Avoid overwatering. Once the seeds start to sprout and push through the soil, typically within a few days, remove the clingfilm or plastic covering. Do not be alarmed by the little furry looking sprouts once they start to push through the soil, this is not mould. It is part of the process as they develop, the little fur starts to disappear.
Place the pots in a bright location, preferably near a window where they can receive ample sunlight. If natural light is limited, you can supplement with a grow light to ensure healthy growth. As the microgreens grow, continue to water them regularly and monitor their progress. Green and red daikon radish is usually ready in about a week or two. During the warm summer months, I’ve had the microgreens grow within a week.
Once the microgreens reach a height of about 4-6cm and develop their first set of true leaves, they are ready to be harvested. Simply snip them off just above the soil line with clean scissors and add them to your favorite dishes for a nutritious and flavorful boost.
Once you have eaten all the greens, dump the soil out and start the process again. It is difficult to plant them into the same soil, as they develop such long roots, thus it is easier to start the process again.
After 2-3 days the seeds have started to sprout. After about 3-4 days, I remove the plastic cover. Remember to water daily.
how to use microgreens/ peashoots
3) Growing Chia Seed Microgreens on wet kitchen paper (without soil)
Chia sprouts are high in calcium and magnesium, which support bone and muscle health. These sprouts can be grown without soil, simply on wet kitchen paper, on your window sill. These take longer than green and red daikon, about 10 days until they are ready to be eaten.
How to grow?
Take 2-3 pieces of kitchen paper. Fold the wet paper over and place onto a plate. Sprinkle store bought chia seeds (yes, the same that you eat) on to the wet paper. Spray with water. Add the same type of plastic (with holes poked into it) on top of the plate. Place onto a windowsill. Spray with water daily so the paper does not dry and watch them grow. Once they start to grow, uncover the plastic. Harvest when the leaves are open and the microgreens are about 3-5 cm tall.
