Grow Your Own Microgreens!

What are microgreens? Microgreens include both the stems and leaves of a seedling, ranging from 1 to 3 inches in length.  They are super easy to grow indoors but make sure that they come from a reputable source, so the seeds are not contaminated. They are not the same as sprouts, which have a greater risk of contamination because they are grown in soil. Conversely, microgreens are grown in water, generally, taking 7-14 days before you can harvest them, although some varieties could take longer.

Benefits of microgreens:

• Often contain more dense nutrients than adult plant form
• Contain powerful antioxidants, chlorophyll, and polyphenols as well as minerals and vitamins, which help to prevent diseases such as heart disease and cancers
• Make your recipes look beautiful and professional
• Have great versatility to add to recipes such as salads, appetizers, as well as serve as a garnish
• Seeds are available in a variety of types
• They are fun to grow!
• Harvesting them at home makes them less susceptible to nutrient loss due to less time from harvest to consumption.

Examples of Types of Microgreens: You can grow microgreens almost from any type of garden veggie or herb plant. Popular types include:

• Lettuce
• Broccoli
• Radish
• Kale
• Arugula
• Chard
• Watercress
• Beet
• Spinach
• Radicchio
• Celery
• Endive
• Basil
• Sunflower
• Pak Choi
• Pea
• Cabbage
• Leek
• Daikon Radish
• Hot wasabi mustard
• …and more!

How to grow microgreens?

The easiest way to grow microgreens is to obtain a microgreen kit. There are a variety of vendors out there. I love my kit from Hamama® and am splitting the organic seed quilts to grow 2 varieties at a time in one tray. Try this fun way to add some health benefits and make your recipes look and taste great!