Leslie Massey
Microgreens are edible seedlings that are typically harvested within two weeks of sprouting. They are packed with nutrients and offer a more intense flavour than their adult counterparts. In Australia, they are commonly added to salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and juices. Microgreens are also popular among chefs and restaurants due to their ability to enhance the flavour, texture, and appearance of dishes. Growing microgreens is relatively easy and can be done indoors or outdoors, in various settings such as kitchen windowsills, gardens, or commercial farms. With the right infrastructure, microgreens can be grown on a large scale for profit. This involves understanding the Australian climate and creating a suitable soil mix for optimal growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Microgreens | Small, edible seedlings |
| Growing medium | Hydroponics or soil |
| Harvest time | 10-25 days |
| Popular varieties | Broccoli, pea, radish, sunflower, purple kohlrabi, clover, arugula, kale, basil, oregano, cilantro |
| Seed suppliers | Online or local hardware/farm supply stores |
| Soil type | Peat moss, coconut coir, perlite, indoor potting mix, seed-starting mix |
| Containers | Well-draining, shallow trays or repurposed plastic containers |
| Climate | Climate-controlled environment with optimal humidity and temperature |
| Profitability | Low intervention, quick germination, and high demand make microgreens profitable |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing seeds and equipment
The first step to growing microgreens is to choose which seeds to plant. The variety of microgreen you choose to grow will depend on your taste and goals. The most popular seeds to start with include broccoli, pea, radish, sunflower, purple kohlrabi, and clover. Broccoli is popular for its mild flavour and nutritional value, while pea shoots are sweet and highly versatile. Radish microgreens have a delightful spice and are the fastest-growing, while sunflowers are the sweetest and highly nutritious. Purple kohlrabi is easy to grow and carries a mild flavour, and clover has a nutty flavour and is a quick sprouter.
When shopping for seeds, it is important to buy from a reputable supplier as microgreens are more susceptible to carrying food-borne illnesses than mature plants. Buying seeds in bulk is usually less expensive than buying in small packets. You can order seeds online or find them in hardware or farm supply stores. Check the "Packed for Year" date to know when the seeds should be used by, as most types will decline in germination rate after a year of storage. Always use seeds intended for human consumption.
In addition to seeds, you will need some basic equipment. Microgreens require well-draining containers, as they have short roots. Shallow trays are great for microgreens, and you can purchase specific trays for this purpose or repurpose plastic food containers. The containers should be filled with a good soil option, which can be purchased from a local gardening store. A good soil option will contain a mixture of peat moss or coconut coir and perlite. You can also use indoor potting mix or seed-starting mix. Check the label to ensure the soil does not include any animal-derived ingredients.
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Preparing the growing space
Clean and Prepare the Equipment:
Start by gathering all the necessary equipment, including trays, containers, and any other tools you plan to use. Give everything a thorough cleaning with hot soapy water, especially if you are reusing old equipment. Rinse well and allow the equipment to air-dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Choose a Suitable Growing Medium:
Select a growing medium that suits your microgreen variety and your personal preferences. You can choose to grow microgreens hydroponically, using nutrient-enriched water and an inert medium like sand, gravel, or perlite. Alternatively, you can use a soil-based growing medium. A good soil option for microgreens is a mixture of peat moss or coconut coir with perlite, which can be found at most gardening stores. Make sure to check the labels to avoid any animal-derived ingredients.
Prepare the Containers:
Microgreens have shallow roots, so they do well in shallow trays. You can purchase specific microgreen trays or repurpose plastic food containers. If you're growing multiple varieties with different light requirements, consider using darker trays for light-sensitive microgreens, as this will help block out some of the light. Fill your chosen containers with your selected growing medium, leaving some space at the top to allow for watering.
Plan Your Setup:
Consider the space you have available and the infrastructure needed to support your microgreen-growing operation. If you're growing on a small scale, a sunny windowsill or a table near a window might suffice. For larger operations or commercial growing, you may want to invest in a climate-controlled environment like a grow tunnel, which will help you maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels for your microgreens.
Sanitize Your Seeds:
Before sowing your seeds, it's important to ensure they are clean to reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses. Sanitize your seeds by soaking them in a mild food-safe disinfectant solution, following the instructions for the recommended contact time. Rinse the seeds well with clean water and allow them to air-dry on a sterile surface before planting.
Now that your growing space is prepared, you are ready to move on to the next steps of the microgreen-growing process, including sowing your seeds and caring for your young plants.
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Planting the seeds
To begin planting microgreen seeds, you'll need to decide what type of microgreens you want to grow and purchase your seeds. Popular varieties include radish greens, kale, arugula, peas, basil, and sunflower greens. You can order seeds online or find them at local hardware or farm supply stores. When purchasing seeds, pay attention to the "Packed for Year" date, as most seeds will decline in germination rate after a year of storage. Always use seeds intended for human consumption, as seeds sold as animal feed do not undergo the same rigorous testing.
Once you have your seeds, prepare your growing space and containers. Microgreens can be grown in a variety of spaces, from a garden pot to your kitchen windowsill, or even in a climate-controlled grow tunnel if you're planning to grow on a commercial scale. Prepare your containers by filling them with a well-draining soil mix specifically designed for microgreens or herbs. A good soil option will contain a mixture of peat moss or coconut coir and perlite, which can be found at your local gardening store.
After your containers are prepared, it's time to plant your seeds. Follow the planting directions on the seed packet to determine the proper seed planting depth. In general, you'll want to sprinkle the seeds over the potting mix and press them gently into the soil with your hands. Some seeds may need to be soaked before planting, so be sure to read the directions on the seed packet carefully.
For microgreens that are sown directly into the soil, spread the seeds thickly across a slightly compacted bed of soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Keep the soil damp with regular misting until the seeds have sprouted and the roots are established. Microgreens typically germinate quickly and can be harvested within a few weeks of planting, so you should see results soon!
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Caring for the plants
Microgreens are small, edible seedlings usually harvested no more than 14 days after sprouting. They are easy to grow and can be grown anywhere, from a garden pot to your kitchen windowsill. However, growing them on a commercial scale requires the right infrastructure, such as a climate-controlled environment like a grow tunnel.
When growing microgreens, it is important to use well-draining containers, as they have short roots. Shallow trays are ideal, and you can purchase specific trays designed for microgreens or repurpose plastic food containers. Fill your chosen container with a good soil mix, such as a mixture of peat moss or coconut coir and perlite, or an indoor potting mix or seed-starting mix. Make sure the soil mix does not include any animal-derived ingredients or factory-farmed animal products.
After planting your seeds, keep the soil moist and find a sunny spot or use grow lights if natural light is limited. Some microgreens, like arugula, prefer indirect light. Regularly mist your plants until the roots are established. To increase the lifetime of your plants, harvest only a small percentage of the leaves at a time, snipping just above the soil line with scissors. Most varieties will regrow and can be harvested multiple times.
Remember that different types of microgreens need different care, so be sure to read the directions on your seed packets and do your research before planting.
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Harvesting the microgreens
Harvesting microgreens is an easy process. The first step is to identify when your microgreens are ready to be harvested. Microgreens are typically harvested when they are still young, a few weeks after being planted. The exact time will depend on the variety of microgreen, but many sources state that they are usually ready within 10-25 days. For example, arugula can be harvested at around 10 days for a smaller leaf and past 10 days for a larger leaf.
Once you have identified that your microgreens are ready, it is time to harvest them. You can use scissors to cut the microgreens just above the soil line. Be careful not to cut too close to the soil, as you want to leave enough of the stem intact so that the microgreens can regrow. Most varieties of microgreens will regrow and can be harvested multiple times. After harvesting, the tray soil can be composted.
Some microgreens, such as amaranth, are more delicate and will need to be harvested very close to the root line. These microgreens will also need to be rinsed well after harvesting.
If you are growing herbs alongside your microgreens, it is important to only harvest a small percentage of the leaves at once to increase the lifetime of the plant.
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Frequently asked questions
Microgreens are small, edible seedlings, usually harvested no more than 14 days after sprouting. They are sought after for their intense flavour, beauty, and high nutritional value.
Microgreens can be grown anywhere from a garden pot to your kitchen windowsill. You will need well-draining containers, shallow trays, and a good soil mix.
The varieties of microgreens you choose to grow will depend on your taste and goals. Popular seeds to start with include broccoli, pea, radish, sunflower, purple kohlrabi, and clover.
Microgreen seeds can be ordered online or found locally. Buying from a reputable supplier is important as microgreens are susceptible to carrying food-borne illnesses.
