how to use microgreens growing tray

The kits contain the seeds, soil, and usually a self-watering tray, giving you a good introduction to the world of microgreens. See previous post. Microgreens are a type of vegetable that is grown for its leaves, rather than its fruits or seeds. Depending on where you are planning to grow microgreens you need a clean surface or a shelf to place the growing trays. If you have never tried indoor gardening, you may be wondering, How do I start growing my own microgreens indoors this winter (or summer)? The soil should be moist but not wet if its too wet, the roots will rot; if its too dry, the plants will wilt. They are much easy to store than bags of soil too. It's recommended to use approximately 10 to 15 grams of microgreen seeds for a 1220 inch tray. Some people cover them but it is not necessary. Please enter your email address below to create account. They can get all the nutrition they need to mature from the seed itself. After selecting the species of microgreens you would like to grow and purchasing microgreens seeds, calculate the amount of seeds you need for your square, rectangular, or circular planting trays following the instruction provided here or using the Microgreens Seed Density Calculator developed to make things very easy for you. Left: Example of a scale used to measure the amount of seed for a small tray. Shallow tray with a depth of 1.25 inches I prefer the shallow trays for four main reasons: Microgreens don't require deep soil for their roots. Fill Trays with Soil. If you are growing microgreens indoors, there are two systems to choose from, soil and water. Microgreens require sunlight, are harvested above the soil line, and take over a week to grow. Coco grow mats are made from coconut fiber and are a sustainable growing medium. You can grow microgreens in any shallow container. The most commonly grown microgreens that need to be soaked for proper germination are peas and sunflowers. While you can use regular garden seeds to grow microgreens, Tesolin advises opting for organic microgreens seeds. Since microgreens do not require a lot of medium to grow on flat trays are generally preferred over regular nursery pots. A good level of sunlight will assure optimal growth and a higher accumulation of antioxidants are produced by plants primarily in response to the solar radiation. Here is a list of basic supplies you will need to grow microgreens in soil indoors: Or if you want a small all in one solution for yoursef or a gift, try the windowsill microgreen kit a try or a self watering microgreen kit. See policyhere. Its so easy; youll want to start your indoor Victory Garden today! Find a space thats out of the way, so you wont have to keep moving your babies or dance around them to get to the bedroom, closet, or kitchen table. ). They are usually sprouted with water while microgreens are grown in soil. Fill the tray with a couple inches of soil and sow the seeds using the instructions below. Microgreens grown on a kitchen windowsill. A wide shallow tray or container to grow the microgreens in. Microgreens are harvested when they are 2-3 inches tall and have their first set of true leaves. Coco coir is often used like soil but it is actually a hydroponic growing medium. What You Need To Start Growing Microgreens. You can add microgreens to almost any dish How to grow microgreens at home If you cant find any trays with holes you can easily add them to a tray with a drill or sharp knife. Since your broccoli microgreens are harvested when very young, they don't need a lot of room to grow. Since microgreens are fully developed, they're more flavorful than sprouts. During the winter you will need to use supplemental lighting like shop lights or LEDs. Step 10: Rinse & Dry - Use a colander to rinse your microgreens thoroughly under cold water. We've been Growing Microgreens in Sprouting Trays and have had a lot of success using them! Sow the seeds evenly on the surface of the coco grow mat. After filling or setting the trays with the growing medium, using a clean container without holes and filled with drinking water you can slowly wet the growing medium from the bottom, and once the medium is wet enough let the excess of water drain. You'll prepare your own microgreen tray to take home! Get out there and sprout those babies! Enjoy them in salads, sandwiches, or as a garnish. Microgreens are versatile and experimentation-friendly. It tends to work out just fine with smaller seeds as long as you keep them damp enough. Place your grow medium inside the tray with the holes. According to Tesolin, many of the easiest microgreens to grow belong to the Brassica family, like cabbage, broccoli, and mustard. To grow microgreens at home you need a seed tray, growing medium (soil or soilless), and seeds. MIXING YOUR OWN HYDROGEN PEROXIDE A concentration of 3% h2o2 is ideal for sterilizing seeds and grow room equipment. Right: Example of pea and sunflower seeds soaking in drinking water. Day 2. With microgreens, instead allowing the plants to fully develop, you harvest them when they're young and only about 2 inches tall. Fill with 3/4" of soil. Left: Harvesting microgreens. But you can grow microgreens without soil too with coco grow mats. They can be eaten raw or cooked, and their flavor will vary depending on the type of microgreen. Growing On day 3, remove the cover tray to check on your seeds. Since these plants aren't going to be in there very long (9-12 days), they won't develop a very intricate root system, which means you don't need a whole lot of soil. The moisture of the medium will help small seeds to stick to the surface and will keep the seeds moist during the germination process. They are a lot less messy than soil and much easier to store. Microgreens may provide you a new opportunity. You can find trays specifically designed sprouting trays for growing microgreens. Prepare your microgreen seeds by laying them in a thin layer or in rows on the surface of your growing area. They need at least 6 hours of strong light. When theyre about an inch tall, or when more than one true leaf has formed. Depending on the species and the growing conditions microgreens may be ready to harvest in a few days or in a couple of weeks after germination is complete. I was very disappointed in my planted tray, I expected nice perfect rows of sunflower stalks! Vegetables are a rich source of many nutrients that are critical for our health including; dietary fiber, pro-vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B6, folate, thiamin, niacin, and choline, as well as essential minerals like potassium, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and manganese. If you have a larger tray, you could choose to plant several types of greens in the same container so people can enjoy what each microgreen has to offer. While you can grow them in less, you might not get as good a yield at the end of the growing period. Not only do they provide nutritious and delicious food, but they also add some nice colour to our kitchen for those grey, cold days. If you want to opt for a hydroponics setup, you don't necessarily need a tray with holes. Hydroponics Rock! The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing many to stay home and avoid social activities. Select a pot or tray size for the number of plants you want to plant. A microgreen needs about four hours of sunshine every day for maximum growth. Store bought 3% hydrogen peroxide from a pharmacy is often treated with stabilizers to extend its shelf life. Right: Example of trays filled with a peat perlite mix before and after being watered from the bottom. Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crop Science. As mentioned above, you can skip this step for smaller seeds or if you are short on time, but this does help speed up the growth process. Kale is a nutrient-dense leafy green that you can grow in your indoor victory garden all year round. These may be more expensive, but they're specially formulated to have a shorter germination time so you can grow and harvest them faster. Use sharp scissors or a knife to cut them just above the soil level. Coconut coir retains moisture well, meaning you can get away with less frequent waterings. Keep the coco grow mat evenly moist. Eating microgreens is a great way to boost your nutrient intake and support your overall health. Bigger seeds like peas and sunflower seeds do better with a good pre-soak. Add the lid to maintain a warm, moist environment and place the container in a low-light area. We like to use a 3 tray setup usually, but can you grow Microgreens using a Single Bottom Tray?The answer is Yes, absolutely you can! If you can, try to place your microgreen rack near a window to get some extra sunlight. Cover it with water and let it soak for a few hours before draining off the water. Planting instructions vary depending on what types of seed mats or soil mix pots you use. You can get in the trend of having year-round, nutrient-dense salad greens without the ridiculous prices. What are the benefits of eating microgreens? Harvesting Method: Use scissors to trim the microgreens just above the soil line. I grew up around hydroponic greenhouses and have grown strange things in bottles for years. Fill Your Growing Trays With Soil. A container with drainage holes in the bottom for water to drain out of. At this time they have reached a height of about 2 inches. If you dont pre-soak, just make sure the soil is moist, and you spray the seeds well with water after planting if you dont soak them first. . Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are all common nightshades. The suggestion is to use what is easily available and relatively not expensive, making sure that it is environmentally sustainable and that it is clean and safe. 8. Asteraceae family: Lettuce, endive, chicory and radicchio 4. 3. If you want to grow more than just a few microgreens, an in-home hydroponic could be the right fit for you. Cut off the tops and gather a small amount at a time (remember that you dont need much). Photos: Francesco Di Gioia, Penn State, Use a spray bottle for misting water on the seeds after seeding. We recommend and use sturdy Heavy Duty Potting Trays. Planting Microgreens in a Raised Garden Bed Prepare the Garden Bed Prepare the garden bed with your choice of growing medium. First step is to fill up your tray with soil. Complete germination. Some research has shown them to be 40 times more nutritious than their mature versions. Similar to the setups above a hydroponics system uses water and sunlight .