Microgreens Growing Guide
Growing your Microgreens
Items required
- A shallow planting container (A tray with a depth of 5 to 7 cm would be ideal. We recommend re-using something that you have at home - think out of the tray box!)
- Spray bottle
- Growing medium (Honestly, there is no hard or fast rule on the type of growing medium to be used. It boils down to personal preference; you could use peat, potting soil or mix, compost or some even tried to grow it via hydroponics)
- Seeds of choice
Germination
1. Before you start, check if the seeds require pre-soaking in water. Specific requirements for each variant are listed on our can be found here.
2. Cover the bottom of your chosen container with around 3 to 4 cm of your preferred growing medium. We recommend organic soil / potting mix as a start.
3. Flatten and even out the growing medium with the bottom of a mug or with your hands, taking care not to overly compress it. Lightly mist the soil with your spray bottle, taking note not to flood the container.
4. Scatter your seeds evenly on the soil. Try not to let the seeds overlap, especially for the larger seed variants. Lightly spray the seeds with water so that they are moist and adhere to the soil's surface.
5. Cover the container with a plastic lid, damp newspaper or magazine. The trick is to maintain humidity, keeping the seeds moist and blocking out excess light. This helps with the germination process.
Growth
1. In 2 to 5 days, the seeds would have sprouted. At this stage, they will look yellowish and thin, that is normal - they just need plenty of sunlight now! The cover can now be removed and the container moved to a sunny spot by the window.
- Left: Freshly germinated Arugula microgreens, the yellowish tone is normal as photosynthesis has not occured due to a lack of exposure to light/sunlight.
- Right: The same seedlings exposed to light after just a couple of days.
2. Water twice a day, making sure never to soak the soil or to allow the soil from drying out. While the seedlings are still tiny, be extra careful when spraying with your spray bottle.
Harvesting
1. Your microgreens can be harvested at any point of time. Snip a few plants off with a pair of scissors daily and taste as you go! For the majority of microgreens, we start harvesting them at around 5 cm height, where we can start seeing the first set of true leaves starting to grow. To harvest, simply snip the microgreens off slightly above the soil level. Always remember to thoroughly rinse your microgreens before consumption.
2. Microgreens can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, kept in plastic ziplock bags with small perforated holes or paper bags. If you are not consuming them immediately, do NOT wash them first - they may rot faster once wet. Enjoy the fruit of your labour while they are fresh, tasty and at their optimum nutrition!