What are microgreens? - Asian Vegans

Microgreens are known to be the easiest fresh produce to grow that can be eaten raw. They are the first true leaves produced from a seedling, which is older than a sprout but much younger than a full-grown plant. They are often under 14 days to harvest and approximately have 1–3 inches tall or 2.5–7.5 cm.

Since 1996, they have been gaining popularity because of the high nutritional benefits and their diverse sensorial characteristics. They are primarily used in the restaurant industry because of the perfect look they add in a plate and can play a role in both savoury and sweet dishes

Can I grow microgreens in my area/climate?

Unlike crops that can be grown depending on climate, microgreens can be grown almost anywhere even inside your house. They only take a limited amount of space and are suitable for almost all climates.

The most common plants used for growing microgreens are:

Lettuce	Kale	Spinach	Radish
Beet	Watercress	Herbs	Greens
Cabbage	Mustard	Chia	Sunflower
Buckwheat

Top 10 Small Microgreen Seeds and their flavor

Purslane Flavor: Tangy & citrusy spinach	Oregano Flavor: Pungent and intense
Sage Flavor: Mild and earthy	Tarragon Flavor: sweet, mildly licorice-like
Thyme Flavor: earthy, herbaceous taste	Alfalfa Flavor: Mild and sweet
Amaranth Flavor: Beet-like	Lemon Balm Flavor: Bright, citrus/lemon tangy
Marjoram Flavor: strong, oregano-like	Mint Flavor: Sweet and minty taste

Top 10 Medium Microgreen Seeds and their flavor

Arugula Flavor: Spicy, peppery and sharp	Basil Flavor: Light, mild basil flavor
Broccoli Flavor: Mild, crunchy texture	Red or Green cabbage Flavor: Mild cabbage
Cauliflower Flavor: Slightly peppery, mild taste	Lettuce Flavor: Mild, rich, sweet taste
Sesame Flavor: Mild, sweet flavor	Radish Flavor: Spicy, delicate peppery
Mustard Flavor: Peppery, delicately spicy	Chives Flavor: Mildly garlicky, spicy

Top 10 Large Microgreen Seeds and their flavor

Parsley Flavor: Refreshing and light taste	Fennel Flavor: Sweet and liquorice-like
Lentils Flavor: slightly bitter and subtle pea	Sunflower Flavor: Sweet and nutty
Wheatgrass Flavor: complex, bittersweet taste	Kohlrabi Flavor: Mild, sweet subtle taste
Adzuki Flavor: Sweet and nutty flavor	Barley Flavor: Earthy and mildly flavor
Kale Flavor: Sweet and broccoli-like	Mung Beans Flavor: Rich Sweet Bean

Top Reasons Why You Should Grow Your Own Microgreens At Home:

Easy to grow in a limited amount of space
Minimal cost, time and effort for a continuous supply of fresh nutrient greens
Perfect solution for urban living
Ready to harvest in just 2 weeks
Packed with variety of flavors & a lot of nutrients
No packaging wasted
No climate restrictions – can be grown inside the house
Perfect introduction to gardening for beginners
Healthy, living food to supplement a healthy diet

Supplies Needed To Grow Microgreens At Home

Growing containers or trays
Certified organic/fungicide free seeds
Drinking water or spray bottle
Seaweed solution
Seed raising mix growing medium
Paper towel or chux cloth to line tray
Plant label or use pen for marking date and variety
Scissor

Step by Step in Growing Microgreens At Home

STEP 1. Choose and Secure Location

Find the perfect place to grow your microgreens. You need to be sure that the surface is protected from overspray, misting or overflow from drain holes.

STEP 2. Preparing Your Container and seed raising mix

If you’re using a tray, be sure to disinfect it first and keep it dry. Using your tray, you need to lay chux cloth or moistened paper towel on the bottom to avoid the mix falling through. Fill your container for about 3/4 full of moist growing medium, which is 2-3 cm or 1 in deep.

STEP 4. Sowing your seeds

Sprinkle seeds over the mix and lightly press it. For small seeds, evenly spread a thin layer of seed raising mix or sieved compost for about 0.5 cm or 1/5 in over the top so they will all be covered.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Place your container on a warm spot like your kitchen bench
Always check soil moisture by touching it using your fingers. Water them as needed.
To help prevent dislodging the seeds, use a spray bottle to lightly water them.
Avoid over-watering or avoid them to dry out
For seeds to germinate, create a warm humid environment by covering the seeds with a clear plastic bag over the top and for air flow put holes snipped in the top.

STEP 5: Harvesting Your Microgreens

Once germinated, the seeds have already used their internal store of food to be able to grow. To feed your plants with trace elements to boost their nutrition and improve flavors, apply the seaweed solution.

When your seedlings already reach 2-5 cm or 1-3 in tall, your microgreens are now ready to be harvested. To easily cut the stems above the soil, use scissors. Now, you can enjoy your very own microgreens at home!