Title: DIY Guide: Setting Up Your Microgreen Tray
Microgreens have stormed their way into the culinary realm and continuously dazzle food lovers with their remarkable flavors and vibrant colors. Not only are they packed with nutrients, but they also add an extra oomph to salads, soups, and sandwiches. However, you don’t need to visit a high-end grocery store to obtain these tiny superfoods; you can grow them in your living space. This guide provides steps on setting up a successful DIY Microgreen Tray.
Step One: Choose Your Microgreen Seeds
Choosing quality seeds is the cornerstone for success in setting up your microgreen tray. Bear in mind that the term ‘microgreens’ is an all-inclusive name for various vegetable and herb seedlings. Each selection has a distinctive growth rate, taste, and nutritional profile. Common choices include broccoli, radish, kale, mustard, spinach, and beet seeds.
Aside from your personal taste preferences, consider seeds that are organic, non-GMO, and specifically marketed for microgreen cultivation. Buying seeds in bulk is cost-effective as one tablespoon roughly grows a 10-by-10-inch tray.
Step Two: Pick Your Microgreen Growing Tray
With your seeds at hand, your next task is to choose a suitable microgreen growing tray. As a DIY enthusiast, you can repurpose a variety of containers, but they must have a flat bottom and measure at least 1.5 inches deep to accommodate root growth. Common choices include old cookie sheets, take-out containers, or commercial growing trays.
Ensure your picked tray has no drainage holes. Microgreens don’t require a depth of soil to grow, meaning they can be watered from the top, eliminating the need for drainage.
Step Three: Prepare Your Growing Medium
Microgreens thrive in almost any type of soil; however, they show a remarkable preference for a soilless potting mix. Prepare a blend of 50% peat, 20% vermiculite, and 30% compost. Alternatively, you can buy pre-mixed soil designed for microgreens from a garden shop.
Moisten the soil mix without making it waterlogged. A good test for the right moisture level is to squeeze a handful—if it binds together but doesn’t drip water, it’s perfect. Fill your tray with an inch of the prepared soil, smoothing it out but not compacting it down.
Step Four: Sow Your Seeds
Microgreens require a dense sowing to produce a thick, edible carpet of greens. Sprinkle your chosen seeds as evenly as possible across the entire tray surface. Do not press the seeds into the soil; their tiny size allows them to germinate and root without being covered. However, if you’re growing larger seeds like peas and sunflowers, they’ll need a light dusting of the soil mix.
Step Five: Germination Process
To encourage successful germination, you’ll need to recreate a “soil blanket” effect. You can either use a paper towel or a germination lid for larger commercial trays. Water your seeds lightly and then place the cover over the tray, ensuring it’s in full contact with the seed bed for a humidity dome effect.
Place the tray in a location with a stable temperature of about 65-75°F (18-24°C). Light is not necessary for germination; however, as soon as you see sprouts pushing against the cover, it’s time to introduce them to light.
Step Six: Light and Watering Needs
Microgreens have basic needs: light and water. Once germinated, place them in a location with indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light if indoors. A south-facing windowsill is an ideal spot if you have it.
Watering requires a delicate balance—enough to keep the soil damp but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to diseases like rot and mold. Using a spray bottle for watering is an effective way to control the amount administered.
Step Seven: Harvesting Your Microgreens
When your microgreens have developed their first set of “true leaves”—generally around the 10 to 14-day mark—it’s time for harvest. Using a pair of sharp scissors, snip the microgreens just above the soil line. Harvest only what you’re about to use, as they’re highly perishable and do not store well.
Setting up your microgreen tray is a rewarding DIY project that not only injects greenery into your space but also provides you with nutrient-dense foods to improve your diet. Remember that like any gardening endeavor, it may take some trial and error before you perfect your microgreen garden. But once established, you’ll enjoy a continuous supply of these versatile greens.
