Microgreens are a popular new vegetable that is starting to take root in the American culture. Although not a traditional vegetable like kale or other greens, microgreens are actually much easier to grow and handle. They can be easily stored when not in use and have a low growing time. They are even easier to make at home from home compost or left over food scraps.
These tiny plants come in a variety of colors from dark green to a light purple. Some varieties have a dark purple outer coat while others are more of a white, cream colored snap. The leaves are oval in shape. They can be found growing in most major vegetable gardens.
Microgreens do well in any type of soil that you grow them in. They are better plants to start off with if you have a large garden so that you have plenty of room to grow them and give them some room to spread out. It will take a bit more time before you see any improvement in coloration but they will definitely bloom more than your ordinary garden vegetables. They are worth a try, especially if you are a gardener that likes to try new things.
It is a good idea to have an area at your home specifically set aside as microgreens planting area. This area should be away from shady or fluorescent lighting. Microgreens love bright lights but you will need to shade them from direct sun to help them get off the soil. The microgreens need about twelve to sixteen hours of direct sunlight. During the shade they will need to be in a partial shaded area until they start to bloom.
It is best that you do not plant more than one kind of micro green. There are specific microgreens for each group of vegetables. You can have one for lettuce and another for spinach. Or you could have one for chard and another for broccoli. This will make the planting a little bit easier because you will know exactly which plants you are growing.
It is very important that you water these plants properly. The soil could be soggy and they will need water to become established. You can purchase a sprinkler that will water them every day or you could dedicate an entire day to consistently watering them by hand.
One issue you might run into is a lack of microgreens after the initial planting. There are actually several things that can cause this, the most common is over planting. If you do not allow the plant’s enough room to grow they will not prosper. Another issue is weeds. If you have certain weeds in the area your plants will also have a hard time growing. You can buy weed killers that are made specifically for microgreens and weeds.
It can be quite tricky to plant vegetables like this. It is best to have a friend or neighbor to help with this if you are having a difficult time. The beauty of these vegetables is that they grow very quickly so the amount of space you need should not be an issue. However, they are quite expensive and you do have to remember to water them regularly.
The microgreens that you choose should be firm. You should be able to pinch the leaves from the stem and they should not be soft. Some varieties of the vegetables like lettuce are quite delicate and require careful growing habits. You should only attempt to grow them when the ground is warm and dry weather is on the horizon. During cooler periods of the year, it is better to plant vegetables like cauliflower that are more persistent.
These plants should be planted in approximately one foot of water. They tend to grow well in full sun but some areas might need a little shade. This can be provided by making sure there are shaded areas in the backyard.
When it comes to the color of the vegetables, you should be prepared to see colors ranging from green to purple. Other varieties like the red peppers will be even more vibrant. The microgreens should be harvested regularly because they will turn black if they are not being washed properly. Some varieties will change color slightly as they get older so they should be stored carefully.