Want to grow the freshest, tastiest greens right in your kitchen? I’ve got the perfect solution – microgreens!
These baby plants are ready to eat in just days, not months.
And trust me, once you try growing them yourself, you’ll never go back to store-bought again!
Let’s Talk Microgreens!
You guys, I was so excited when I learned that growing microgreens doesn’t require any fancy seeds! They’re just regular veggie seeds planted super close together – how cool is that?
I remember being amazed when I first discovered that one tray of broccoli microgreens uses thousands of tiny seeds (compared to the few you’d normally plant for full-size broccoli).
The best part? These little powerhouses grow incredibly fast! We’re talking 8-11 days for broccoli and up to 25 days for basil. Talk about instant gratification in the garden!
Getting Your Seeds & Supplies
Here’s my money-saving secret: I always grab my seeds from True Leaf Market or Everwilde Farms. Trust me, buying in bulk will save you so much money in the long run!
Want to know what else you’ll need? Just the basics:
- Simple growing trays (nothing fancy!)
- Regular fine-grained potting mix
- A water bottle for misting
- Basic scissors for harvesting
Setting Up Your Growing Medium
I’ve learned through trial and error that regular potting mix works perfectly fine! Just make sure it’s the fine-grained kind – those chunky mixes with big pieces of wood aren’t your friends here.
Here’s my favorite pro tip: Pour 2 cups of water in your tray before adding the soil. This little trick has saved me from so many mold issues!
Fill your tray until it’s about 1/4-1/2 inch from the top. Trust me on this – it makes harvesting so much easier later!
Seed Types & Planting Guide
Quick-Growing Varieties (No Soaking)
Let me share my favorite beginner-friendly option: Purple Top White Globe turnip! You only need about 1.5-2 oz per tray, and since the seeds are tiny, they’re super easy to spread evenly.
Seeds That Need a Little Extra Love
Some seeds need a bit of spa time before planting:
- Wheat grass: Soak for 8-12 hours
- Dun peas: Give them 6-8 hours
- Black oil sunflower: 4 hours in cool water works best
- Nasturtium: These definitely need a good soak too
The Growing Process
Early Stage (Blackout Period)
Here’s my favorite part – creating a cozy little environment for your seeds to sprout! I always cover my trays during this time.
Want to know my secret trick? I place an empty tray on top and add just a tiny bit of weight. This mimics what happens when seeds are buried in nature – cool, right?
Don’t freak out when you see yellowish leaves at first – that’s totally normal! Just let them do their thing for about 3-4 days.
Light Stage
Okay, let’s talk about lighting! I’ve tried everything, and here’s what works best:
- LED lights are super efficient (my personal fave!)
- T5 fluorescent shop lights work great too
- Natural sunlight is perfectly fine if you’ve got a sunny spot
Here’s my lighting schedule that gives amazing results:
- Minimum: 12 hours on/12 off
- Best results: 16-18 hours of light
Pro tip: Get those lights as close as you can without burning your little greens. They’re light-hungry little things!
Harvest Time & Storage
When to Harvest
I’ve got this down to a science now! Here’s when I know it’s time:
- Wheat grass: Wait until it’s 4-5 inches tall (bonus: you can get 2-3 harvests!)
- Pea shoots: Look for those cute little tendrils to form
- Turnips: Around 3-4 inches is perfect
- Basic salad mix: Harvest when you see true leaves developing
Storage Tips
Let me share my storage secrets that keep everything fresh:
- Pea shoots love hanging out in mesh crisper bags
- Most other varieties do better in sealed bags
- Try to use everything within 3-5 days
- Keep them happy in your high-humidity crisper drawer
Serving Suggestions
Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my favorite ways to use these little gems!
Wheat grass is amazing juiced up! I love mixing it with citrus juice to balance out the flavor – total game changer!
Pea shoots are absolutely dreamy when quickly stir-fried with garlic and a splash of soy sauce. My family begs for these!
The salad mix? It makes the most incredible fresh salads ever. Talk about elevating your lunch game!
And don’t get me started on nasturtiums – chefs pay big bucks for these beauties, and now you can grow them at home!
Common Issues & Solutions
Let’s talk about keeping your microgreens happy and healthy!
Mold is probably the biggest worry for beginners, but I’ve got you covered:
- Start with bottom watering (remember that 2-cup trick?)
- Don’t go crazy with top watering
- Keep a bottle of grapefruit seed extract handy for spot treatment
Watch your babies daily for water needs. I just do a quick check every morning with my coffee – super easy!
Remember to look for even growth across your tray. If something looks off, catch it early!