Growing Microgreens at Home

Over the next few weeks we’re going to talk about foods you can grow inside during the winter.  One of the absolute easiest vegetables to grow on the kitchen windowsill is microgreens — the perfect topping for any quick salad.

GETTING STARTED

Select a shallow plastic container with drainage holes, such as a nursery flat or similar plastic container (either clear or opaque plastic boxes work). Fill the container with 1½ to 2 inches of moistened organic potting mix. Gently press the soil to create a flat, even surface.

ADD THE SEEDS

Mesclun seed mixes are a good choice for microgreens: Varieties like Asian Baby Leaf Mix contain a blend of greens selected because they tend to sprout at the same time. Single-crop microgreens also work. Scatter the seeds over the soil surface. Then using a coarse wire-mesh sieve, sift a very fine (⅛-inch) layer of dry potting mix over the seeds.

WATER

Set the container onto a drip tray and then carefully water the seeds in with a gentle shower from a watering can. Place the tray on a sunny, south-facing windowsill or under grow lights. Expect the seeds to germinate in 3 to 7 days.

HARVEST

Keep the soil consistently moist. Prevent soggy soil by pouring off any excess water that collects in the drip tray after watering. To harvest, snip the microgreens right above the soil line when their first true leaves unfurl (about 7 to 14 days after germination, depending on the variety). The microgreens are nutrient-dense and make a healthy addition to salads and sandwiches.

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Waaaay back in 2012 we produced a video on making cheap, reuseable planters for indoor growing.  Those would work great for growing microgreens.  Check out that video below.