Chumasande MatiwaneMicrogreens offer you a combination of easily cultivated and delicious greens that could be used for salads and garnishes. They are also excellent crops for gardeners who have little time or space but want to enjoy home-grown produce.
What are microgreens?
In simple terms, they are young shoots of edible plants, like herbs and veggies. These young seedlings are then harvested shortly after they germinate when they are still highly tender, full of nutrition and packed with flavour.
The crops are usually tiny no more than 10 to 14 days old. Just quickly harvest them when they show signs of their first leaves. They take very little equipment or technique to grow.
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Plants to grow as microgreens
The microgreen technique can be used for any plant with roots, stems, and leaves that are edible. Although there is a vast range of microgreen plants, some are popular because they are easy to grow and have an amazing taste. Some plants you can grow as microgreens are:
- Peas and beans.
- Lettuce
- Beets
- Carrots
- Basil
- Parsley
- Coriander
- Sunflower
- Kale
- Spinach
When growing these microgreens, there is no need for any chemicals. For the best growth, place your micro greens container in a sunny spot but be sure to take care so they don’t scorch in the sunny spot.
How to harvest microgreens
The best time to harvest your produce is once the first true leaves have developed and gained a healthy colour. This is the prime time to pick the seedlings as their taste and nutrient levels peak. To harvest you can cut each stem with scissors just above soil level or pull the entire seedling out with roots.
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It is important to note that microgreens may not fill many hungry stomachs. They are just perfect additions to your salads.
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