Starting your own microgreen garden adds a fun, easy, and affordable aspect to your journey of clean eating. Microgreens, known for their many health benefits, add flavor and color to your meals. To grow your own microgreens, you do not need an expansive farming lot. All you need is a microgreen tray and some nitty-gritty guidance. This article presents you with a complete DIY guide for setting up your microgreen tray, helping you conveniently grow your own nutritious bite-sized greens.
Step 1: Selecting Your Microgreen Tray
The first important task in setting up your microgreen garden is selecting the right tray. Microgreen trays are available in an assortment of sizes, types, and materials, each with their own pros and cons. Some trays are BPA-free and UV-resistant; others have holes for watering the plants; some are more durable and have deeper grooves for the root system. It’s essential to choose a tray that suits your unique needs and environmental factors.
When selecting the tray, consider the size of the space you have for growing the microgreens. Additionally, consider the types of greens you want to grow, as some might need deeper trays. Recyclable plastics, coconut coir, or other biodegradable materials are eco-friendly options for the tray’s construction.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Growth Medium
For bountiful and healthy microgreens, choosing an appropriate growth medium is paramount. Several options, including coconut coir, peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite, are available. The growing medium you choose should be well-structured for water retention and should support the growth and development of tiny microgreen roots.
Coconut coir, a by-product of the coconut industry, is a popular choice because of its high-water retention and breathability. Peat moss also offers similar benefits. Vermiculite and perlite are inorganic substances that help improve soil texture and moisture content. Whichever medium you choose, ensure it is free from contaminants that could harm your microgreens.
Step 3: Preparing the Growth Medium
Once you’ve chosen your growth medium, the next step is to prepare it. Fill your trays with the medium, but do not oversaturate it with water. Create a flat surface by gently pressing down on the medium, thereby providing more room for the seeds to thrive.
If you’re using coconut coir or peat moss, hydrate these mediums in a separate container before adding them to your tray. For vermiculite or perlite, these can be added directly to the tray and gently moistened.
Step 4: Sowing Your Microgreen Seeds
Microgreen seeds vary by size, growth rate, germination requirements, and taste. Popular microgreen seeds include beetroot, radish, peas, broccoli, mustard, and arugula.
Spread the microgreen seeds evenly across your prepared tray. It’s important not to overly clump the seeds together as this could result in unhealthy plants and hinder growth. Once the seeds are distributed, mist the tray lightly with water.
Step 5: Proper Placement and Care
After sowing your seeds, place the trays in an area with proper lighting conditions. If growing indoor, artificial light, preferably LED grow lights, can be used. The light should be limited during the first few days of growth but can be increased once the sprouts start to appear.
The temperature in the growing area should be controlled between 18-21 degrees Celsius, which is the ideal temperature range for most microgreens.
Step 6: Watering Your Microgreens
Your microgreens will need consistent moisture but avoid overwatering. Over-watering can lead to diseases like ‘damping-off’. The best practice is to water from below, i.e., pour water in an empty tray and place the planted tray on top. This allows the water to be absorbed by capillary action, and the plants can take up water as needed.
Step 7: Harvesting Microgreens
The harvesting period for microgreens typically ranges from 1-3 weeks, depending on the variety. Harvest your freshly grown microgreens by snipping them using a pair of clean scissors.
In conclusion, growing microgreens at home in a tray is a rewarding process. Not only does it add a fresh ingredient to your dishes, but it also leads to the satisfaction of cultivating your own food. With these steps in mind, setting up your microgreen tray becomes an effortless task and a step closer to nutritious and healthy living. Enjoy the process and the fruits, or in this case, greens, of your labor!
