Growing microgreens within the confines of your own home can be a highly rewarding experience. These nutrient-rich plants don’t require much space and are surprisingly easy to grow in jars, making them perfect for those living in apartments or homes with limited space.
The first step is to gather your materials. You’ll need clear glass canning jars which you can find in various sizes (quart, pint, half-gallon); swiss chard or kale seeds (any microgreen variety will do), potting soil, cheesecloth, rubber bands, and a spray bottle. We recommend using organic soil and seeds to best keep the health-beneficial properties of your microgreens intact.
Step 1: Prepare Your Jars
Clean the jar thoroughly before you begin. Any dirt or bacteria could hinder the germination process of your seeds. Simply scrub the interior of the jars using warm water and dish soap, then rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely.
Step 2: Fill Your Jars with Soil
Next, fill your jar halfway with high-quality organic gardening soil. It’s important to use good soil as this will directly impact how well your plants grow. Make sure the soil is light and fluffy, which will provide the best environment for the seeds to root.
Step 3: Prepare Your Seeds
Take your seeds and soak them in lukewarm water for a few hours or overnight, depending on the specific instructions on your seed packet. Soaking allows the seeds to break dormancy, gearing them up for germination.
Step 4: Sow Your Seeds
Once your seeds are ready, evenly distribute them across the surface of the soil in your jars. Try to space out the seeds evenly for equal light distribution but don’t worry too much about some overlap; microgreens grow well when densely packed.
Step 5: Add A Top Layer of Soil
Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil – about a quarter of an inch will do. Then, gently press down on the surface to ensure the seeds are in proper contact with the soil.
Step 6: Water
Using a spray bottle, gently mist the soil until it’s damp but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to seed rot and hinder germination. Your goal is to maintain a consistently moist environment for your seeds.
Step 7: Cover with Cheesecloth
Place a square of cheesecloth over the top of each jar, securing it with a rubber band. This will allow air to circulate and prevent insects from getting to the seeds.
Now it’s time for the waiting game. Keep the jars in a space that is warm and receives plenty of natural light (direct sunlight is not essential and too much could actually ‘burn’ the sprouts). Be patient and religiously mist your jars each day to keep the soil appropriately damp.
Step 8: Watch Them Grow
In about 5-7 days, you should see small sprouts appearing. Once your microgreens reach about an inch in height, you can remove the cheesecloth. Continue to water them once or twice a day – always making sure that the soil is damp but not waterlogged.
Step 9: Harvest Time
In about two weeks, your microgreens should be around 2 inches tall and ready to be harvested. You can cut them right above the soil line using clean and sharp kitchen scissors.
Step 10: Keep Growing
Once you’ve harvested, you can start the process all over again. Remember that soil health is paramount. Replenish the soil after each harvest, and consider occasionally replacing it in full to reset the nutrient content.
Growing microgreens in jars is a fun, simple, and gratifying project that will provide you with fresh, nutritious greens all year round. Plus, it’s a great hobby that will help build your understanding of plant life and the incredible process of germination and growth.
Remember – Patience, care, and attention are crucial to your success. Be observant and learn how the microgreens react to their environment. If they are leaning one way, rotate the jars. Are they looking a little pale? They may need more sunlight.
Growing microgreens in jars is not only practical but aesthetic too. The sight of these jars filled with mini-green forests can add a refreshing touch to an urban kitchen set-up.
Start small if you’ve never grown anything before, and with time, you’ll develop your green thumb. Before you know it, you’ll be growing a mini-garden, right within your cozy indoor premise. Experiment with different types of greens and enjoy the process. Happy gardening!
