By jessijordan
Micro greens
Submitted on Sat, 2009/03/28 - 12:44am
Last updated on Sun, 2009/03/29 - 8:58pm
I bought some seeds I would like to try as microgreens and 10 "clamshell" plastic containers
I poked alot of holes in the top of the container for air and 5 in the bottom for drainage then I set a papertowel in the bottom and misted it to help keep in moisture.
Then I put in 1 inch of potting soil and smoothed it down until it was an even layer. Next I evenly distributed the seeds.
Then I cover them with a thin layer of soil and misted them once more.
In 6 -14 days (depending on the kind) I will have delicious microgreens of Arugula, Broccoli, Celery, Chives, Cilantro and Italian Parsleys.
Sun, 2009/03/29 - 8:23pm
#2
Huh. I didn't realize you used soil for microgreens. I thought you just sprouted them in water, like bean sprouts. Makes 'em a bit more effort to clean, doesn't it.
Sun, 2009/03/29 - 11:13pm
#3
Nope. Micro greens are grown differently than sprouts. Sprouts are grown 2 - 4 days in water in a dark place. Micro greens are planted in 1 inch of soil or vermiculite and grow from 6 to 14 days, depending, on the kind in full sun. They are harvested when they are about 1 to 2 inches tall and just after they have grown their first 2 little leaves up to when they have their first true leaves. (There is some debate about which, but one thing is clear... If harvested after they have more than 2 true leaves they are called baby greens). And they aren't difficult to clean because you harvest them by cutting them above the soil.
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/thedirt/2009/03/11/growing-food-on-a-windowsi...
http://www.liseed.org/microgreens.html
http://www.sproutpeople.com/seed/brocgreens.html
Great Book you can read online: http://www.gibbs-smith.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=2704
Mon, 2009/03/30 - 12:54am
#4
Interesting. Quick harvest! Hope you enjoy 'em!
Mon, 2009/03/30 - 4:04pm
#5
Broccoli has sprouted on Day 2
Arugula on Day 2... So Beautiful!
Tue, 2009/03/31 - 4:47pm
#6
Chives have sprouted on Day 3
Arugula Day 3
Broccoli on Day 3
Edit: Gisette edited the broccoli picture - wasn't showing up.
Tue, 2009/03/31 - 9:25pm
#7
You're starting to tempt me, Jessi. 
Was looking at daikon radish sprouts... Celery looks tempting, too. Can never buy a reasonable amount of celery (1 stalk ).
Tue, 2009/03/31 - 9:55pm
#8
BE TEMPTED MY LOVE!
I just tried a broccoli microgreen (a little earlier than I plan on harvesting) and OMG! It REALLY does taste exactly like raw uncoooked broccoli! I can't wait for the rest to get growing. I think I am going to get many harvests of micro chives before my buzzy kit chives even get an inch tall.
Same or more intense flavor, in a fraction of the space and the ability for me to grow a variety of "greens" of veggies I can't grow in my apt (broccoli, cabbage, beets, celery and even corn) ... its totally the best thing in the world!
On a side note...
I was tempted today to tally up my gardening expenses since Dec 08... 4 aerogardens, 3 aerogarden seed kits, 6 buzzy seed grow kits, 8 lights, at least 25 packs of seeds, 3 bags of potting soil, 20 pots or so, 10 clam shell packing and then I thought... why ruin it! LOL!
Tue, 2009/03/31 - 11:44pm
#9
LOL! Yeah, I try to avoid looking at the total... 
Some try to justify it by money saved not-buying fresh vegetables. I'm fairly sure I know how the balance sheet would come out on that one, too.
But yeah, the idea of growing some of those things I definitely don't have garden space for, is tempting! Daikon radish, baby cabbages...
Wed, 2009/04/01 - 12:21pm
#10
What do you think I should do guys? 3 of these trays have mold. (Celery Parsley & Cilantro)
Should I get some hydrogen perioxide & spray them & hope for the best or should I just toss them?
Wed, 2009/04/01 - 12:49pm
#11
Toss. Quickly. You don't have an investment yet in there worth heroic measures.
Wed, 2009/04/01 - 12:53pm
#12
Yea you're right.
I think I am gonna wait for the vermiculite to come before I try these kinds of seeds again. They take longer to germinate.
Wed, 2009/04/01 - 2:22pm
#13
Are these new or used trays? I ask because I get mold on my bunching onion soil when I use used plastic lettuce trays. I even soaked it in bleach this year. It's got to be coincidence..
Beth
Wed, 2009/04/01 - 2:44pm
#14
They were brand new trays. 3 out of 6 have germinated just fine. I order vermiculite so that should eliminate the mold issues in the future I hope! 
Wed, 2009/04/01 - 4:32pm
#15
Chives on Day 5
Broccoli
Isn't this cool! I can see the roots
Arugula
Thu, 2009/04/02 - 3:31pm
#16
Decided to plant some onion microgreen
I made a little divider with the paper towel
Red Burgundy Onion on the left and Sweet Spanish Yellow on the Right
I placed a wet paper towel on top this time to help maintain the moisture.
Will have onion sprouts in 7 - 21 days.
Won't they be delicious on a tuna sandwich!
Fri, 2009/04/03 - 8:42pm
#17
Tonight I decided to try out my arugula microgreens on a roasted turkey & cheese sandwich and boy was it good! I could get used to this!
Both the salad greens & Arugula home grown.. just gotta grow the tomato & the onion now... lol!
Fri, 2009/04/03 - 11:11pm
#18
That looks good, Jessi, congrats! 
You tempted me into trying daikon radish microgreens. Tempted all the way to Home Depot. And I inspected packet. Packet had approximately 10 seeds for $1.99... 
This one's pencilled in for when I find a cheaper daikon radish seed source!
Sat, 2009/04/04 - 11:19am
#19
Aw! 10 seeds thats sucky! But you are in luck!
Try this site & you can get a pound of seeds for $7.95
http://www.sproutpeople.com/seed/radish.html
The seeds can be used for sprouting and growing microgreens... 2 for 1!
Sat, 2009/04/04 - 11:50am
#20
Thanks, Jessi. But I probably ought to shelve this idea until fall. I haven't any real shortage of plants atm.
Sat, 2009/04/04 - 12:20pm
#21
ok doke. I got into microgreens because although I have alot of things planted I have nothing to eat for 60 days or more. At least for these the most I have to wait is 14 days and the least is 6
Sat, 2009/04/04 - 12:32pm
#22
Aw! You have lettuce and herbs this week!
I'm currently harvesting... lettuce, spinach, radishes, and... eggplant. And flowers.
Sat, 2009/04/04 - 6:11pm
#23
Yay! Walmart had some $1 seeds, for a bunch. White icicle radishes rather than daikon, but they're longer than my breakfast radishes ... 5".
I'm not sure I'm growing them much different from the last batch, though - 1" apart, eat the thinnings in a couple weeks to put them 2" apart. And theoretically eat them at maturity 2 weeks after that. I planted some outside where they have depth to reach 5"... These are fun.
Sat, 2009/04/04 - 8:53pm
#24
Sweet! We always love a good deal
Sat, 2009/04/04 - 11:00pm
#25
Day 2 for the onions & there are a few tiny white sprouts that are hard to see but trust me they are there! The paper towel is doing an excellent job keeping them moist.
Day 7 Arugula - minus the few I ate on my sandwich last night!
Day 7 - Broccoli
Mon, 2009/04/06 - 3:39pm
#26
Day 4 Red & Yellow Onion Micro greens
Wed, 2009/04/08 - 5:53pm
#27
Its a happy day!
My vermiculite finally arrived (along with my seeds for sprouting and cucumber, kale and cipollini onions) and the next batch of micro greens will be grow in it!
Chives
Red & Yellow Onion
Arugula
Wed, 2009/04/15 - 8:33pm
#28
I ate all the Broccoli & Arugula micro greens. They were yummy! And now I must make some more.
This time I am using vermiculite.
I planted Broccoli, Arugula & Celery.
Fri, 2009/04/17 - 1:43pm
#29
Arugula in Vermiculit
I am so happy with the vermiculite so far.
I had to toss the chive micro greens which I never even got to eat. I found tiny little gray bugs when I when to water this morning. 
Nothing else seems infected.
The onion sprouts are doing well. I will be eating more of those tonight.
Fri, 2009/04/17 - 2:35pm
#30
Jessi,
Vermiculite can be very good. Took my Mom to a Garden Center seminar last night and she bought a 110 L bag of medium vermiculite for C$20 around US$16. I think we got a 5L bag of fine vermiculate for about $5 last time since they were out of the larger bags. Big price difference..
Arugula has sprouted in 1 day!