The magic of growing microgreens lies in the lush green leaves that spring forth, sprouting new life. They’re deliciously nutritious, packed with vital vitamins, and their vibrant colors bring any dish to life. Moreover, they’re not just for the professional or seasoned gardeners; they are indeed, the ideal choice for even a novice with a green thumb.
So, yes, you read that correctly. You can grow microgreens without soil! This method of farming is known as hydroponics, a process of growing plants without soil by instead making use of mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.
### Hydroponic Microgreens: The Foundations of Soilless Cultivation
Soilless farming, or hydroponics, leverages water infused with necessary nutrient formulas. Compared to conventional methods of growing microgreens in soil, hydroponic tricks have emerged as a colossal hit due to their hassle-free cleanliness and low risk of soil-born diseases.
Hydroponic microgreens mature quickly, exhibit lush growth, and display enhanced flavors. They’re primed for high-density growth, making them the perfect pick for indoor gardening enthusiasts with limited space for a sprawling garden.
#### Setup Your Hydroponics System
The first step is to set up a hydroponics system for microgreens cultivation. You need a growing tray, a reservoir tray to catch water runoff, a seedling mat or pad (coconut coir, hemp, or any other biodegradable), a mister bottle for watering, and a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Position the seedling mat in the growing tray, being sure to trim any excess that hangs over the sides. This step is crucial to prevent the water from running off the wick and outside the tray.
Pre-soak your growing pad with a nutrient solution in a spare tray for up to five minutes, then remove the pad, letting all excess water drain off. After a thorough soaking, move the growing pad into your actual growing tray.
##### Sowing Microgreen Seeds
Microgreen seeds are generally administered in large quantities as they get harvested before reaching maturity. Spread the seeds evenly across the top of the pre-soaked seedling mat. Ensure there’s almost no empty space. Simultaneously, avoid clogging the mat—the seeds need room to root.
Once the seeds are sowed, mist them with water lightly. Rinse the underside of another tray to help create a dark and moist environment for your seeds—this type of environment helps the seeds germinate. Flip that tray upside down and press it gently on top of the seeded tray. This upper tray should be large enough to cover the entire setup.
##### Germination Process
In the germination stage, you’re nudging seeds to jumpstart their growing cycle while providing ideal conditions to root. Position your microgreens in a place where the daytime temperature is typically between 21 – 23 degrees Celsius (70 – 75 Fahrenheit), and nighttime temperatures are approximately 10 – 13 degrees Celsius (50 – 55 Fahrenheit).
Once a day, lift the cover tray and mist water on the seeds to keep them moist. Your microgreens should start germinating within a few days—shorter for some species, longer (up to a week) for others.
#### Transition to the Vegetative Stage
Post-germination, the baby microgreens transition to the vegetative stage where they’ll need light to commence photosynthesis.
If you’re growing microgreens at home with limited sunlight accessibility, you’ll need to set up some form of artificial lights. Fluorescent or LED lights can often do the trick, but be cautious in placing the light source at an ideal distance from the plant to avoid burning the leaves.
Once the light set-up is in place, you should begin feeding your microgreens with diluted nutrient solution approximately one week after germination. You can start with a quarter of the recommended dosage and gradually increase to avoid overfertilization.
#### Harvesting Microgreens
The majority of microgreens are ready for harvest by the time they develop their first set of true leaves, typically 7 – 14 days after seeding. To gauge whether they’re ready for harvest, their stem should stand about 1 to 3 inches tall.
To harvest, ensure the leaves are dry to reduce the risk of rot during storage. Using sharp, clean scissors, cut the microgreens just above the soil or growing mat line. Do not pull the microgreens out of the growing medium, as you risk disturbing the roots of neighboring plants.
Rinse gently, dry thoroughly, and consume immediately for the best flavor and nutritional content. Or store in a plastic bag in your refrigerator for up to a week.
While the concept of soilless farming may seem counterintuitive, hydroponics presents a viable option for small-scale indoor farming for everyone from novices to seasoned green thumbs. With just a small setup, fairly minimal maintenance, and a bit of love, you can enjoy fresh, nutrient-packed microgreens all year round.
