“Eat your greens” is good advice, right? Greens are nutritious and rich in vitamins A, C, E, and K. They supply necessary minerals to the diet, such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. They are an excellent source of fiber and antioxidants. Greens are also low in carbohydrates. The perfect food!

Greens are easy to grow outdoors in the spring, summer, and fall. But what about winter? How does the home gardener ensure a steady supply of this nourishing food during the coldest months of the year?

Introducing Microgreens

Growing produce during the winter is nearly impossible in many parts of the country without a heated greenhouse. The exception is microgreens!

Microgreen Advantages

• Super Nutritious

Miniscule microgreens pack a powerful nutritional punch in a small package.

• Space Saving

Their diminutive stature makes them perfect for indoor growing.

• Convenient

They may be grown right in your kitchen!

• Easy to Grow

Growing microgreens requires no previous gardening experience.

• Quick Growing

Turnaround time is generally 1 – 2 weeks.

• Cost Effective

Expensive to buy at the grocery store but inexpensive to grow at home.

Selecting Microgreens

Just about any greens you typically eat may be grown as microgreens; familiar favorites include arugula, beet, cabbage, chard, kale, lettuce, mustard, radish, spinach, and turnip. There are other plants whose greens may be grown, harvested, and eaten as tasty and nutritious microgreens; this includes amaranth, basil, cauliflower, carrot, celery, chia, parsley, pea, sunflower, and more. Growing a variety is a good idea as each plant type provides a unique flavor and health benefits.

Growing Microgreens

Microgreens are grown densely in a shallow tray and are harvested when young and tender. They are sophisticated, tasty, super healthy, and beautiful, adding additional color and texture to salads, sandwiches, stir-frys, juices, soups, garnishes, and more. As a side note, growing microgreens is the perfect way to introduce children to gardening and good nutrition.

Materials

• Seed
• Soil
• Tray
• Spray Bottle
• Scissors

In the tray size of your choice, place about an inch of pre-moistened Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Potting Soil [Eastern & Midwestern Regions | Western Region], evenly smoothing it out. Generously scatter or sprinkle your chosen microgreen seeds, in a single layer, on the surface of the soil; think of how you would salt and pepper your food. Cover the seeds with a very thin layer of Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Potting Soil and mist with water to ensure that the seed is well moistened, being careful not to over-water. As microgreens are a quick turnaround crop, fertilization is not necessary.

Place the seeded tray in a sunny location or under grow lights. Covering the tray with a clear dome or plastic wrap will help retain soil moisture but must be removed once the seed germinates. After the clear covering is removed, ensure adequate air circulation.

With fresh water, mist the maturing microgreens a couple of times a day to keep the soil moist but not wet. Turnaround time is as little as three days after seed germination, depending on the plant.

Allow greens to grow to 2 – 4 inches tall and harvest with clean scissors.

Harvested microgreens should be stored in the same manner as full-sized greens and will last just as long in the refrigerator.

Plant a new tray every week for a continuous supply of microgreens.

No matter where you live, in a rural, suburban, or urban location, microgreens may be counted on as an affordable, quick, easy, nutritious year-round crop.