Start Growing Microgreens

Have you ever thought about growing your own nutritious microgreens and baby greens right at home? These tender young seedlings of vegetable, herb and edible flowers include varieties like mustard, cabbage, radish, basil, broccoli, bok choy, spinach, mesclun, arugula, pea, kale, kohlrabi and sunflower.  

Microgreens and baby greens are loved for their delicate textures and concentrated flavors.  They’re perfect for adding a burst of freshness and nutrition to salads, sandwiches, and a variety of dishes.  Micro and baby greens are a fantastic way to incorporate the nutritional benefits of vegetables into your diet.

What’s the Difference?

Microgreens are harvested just after the first leaves have developed.  Baby greens are harvested later than microgreens, typically when 2”-4” tall.  Baby green plants are harvested when the plants are more established but still young and tender. 

How To Grow Microgreens and Baby Greens

Both microgreens and baby greens can be easily grown indoors on a windowsill.  They can be grown in shallow containers or growing trays and require minimal space.

Here are detailed steps for growing microgreens and baby greens at home:

Choose your seeds
Select the seeds of the vegetables or herbs you want to grow as microgreens or baby greens.  Choose a microgreen collection or baby green collection for a wide variety of flavors and nutrition.  

If mixing seeds yourself, select ones that will sprout at the same time. Arugula, broccoli, cabbage, kale, mustard, mizuna, nasturtium and radish are among the fastest growers, typically germinating in a week or less.

Beets, chards and nasturtiums should sprout in 10 – 14 days, while parsley and dill can take up to three weeks.

Do not grow microgreens of nightshade vegetables such as eggplant, ground cherry, pepper, potato, tomatillo or tomato. Their leaves contain toxic alkaloids which should not be consumed.

Select a container
Use a growing tray, seedling flat, or any container with drainage holes. Alternatively, you can use biodegradable seedling trays or recycled containers. Just make sure the container drains thoroughly so the soil does not get soggy.

Prepare the growing medium
Fill the container with a sterile, lightweight growing medium such as potting mix or seed starting mix. Wet until it is a light and fluffy sowing medium.  Stir to aerate.

Sow the seeds
Sow according to each packet variety’s seed depth and spacing recommendations.  Some seeds may benefit from being soaked before planting or covered to keep them firm in the soil.  A plastic dome set askew helps to maintain humidity, moisture, and consistent temperature. If you don’t have a lid or cover, lay plastic wrap over the tray. Do not seal it tightly

Water the soil
If you are using a solid drip tray, add water from the bottom.  If not, water from above by using a mister to avoid splashing soil.  Any excess water that collects in the drip tray should be poured out daily.  

Check the soil daily and keep it consistently moist. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to mold or rot. Make sure the containers are draining properly.

Monitor growth
Check the seeds daily for germination. Once the seeds have sprouted, use a mister or bottom watering.  This will reduce soil splashing on the leaves. Ensure the growing medium remains moist and not waterlogged.

After the seeds have germinated and the seedlings grow, it is possible to uncover the trays and expose the sprouts to sunlight. A windowsill on the south side of the house will typically receive more sunlight than one exposed north. Seedlings can also be placed under grow lights. Move containers as needed for best light exposure and temperature.

Succession plant seeds every two weeks for continuous supply.

Tip: Good air circulation is important to help prevent fungal diseases.  Use a box fan, a ceiling fan or open a window to create air movement.

Harvesting

Cotyledon leaves are the first set of leaves that appear after the seed has sprouted. In the next stage, the seedling will develop its true leaves, which resemble the mature plant’s leaves. 

Microgreens can be harvested in about 7 to 14 days after sowing, either at the cotyledon stage or true leaf stage, depending on preference.  Baby greens are ready in about 20 days when they have true leaves at 2”-4”. The true leaves should be well-developed and vibrant in color.

 The best way to determine when to harvest the plants is to taste a few leaves as they grow.  Sampling them throughout their growth will familiarize you with the flavor and texture that you find most appealing.

 Harvest with clean scissors or snips, cutting just above the soil line, or leave some baby green leaves intact for regrowth. 

Now you can enjoy growing and harvesting fresh ready-to-use microgreens and baby greens any time of year.  

Recommended Reading