There is a new small business opportunity in the world of eating microgreens – and it just happens to be one that can make you a Microgreen Entrepreneur. It may sound too good to be true, but Microgreen gardening is not as unusual or uncommon as it seems. You will find many examples of similar ventures around you.
Vegetable gardens are not a new idea. For thousands of years farmers have grown vegetables for consumption at home and have followed a similar process for hundreds of years. When growing microgreens, what we are talking about is simply turning small, leafy plants into something much bigger by picking, tossing, and pinching individual leaves. As with any other type of vegetable garden, you want to pick the highest-quality plants possible for your family’s nutritional needs. You also want to make sure that everything grows organically and without insecticides and antibiotics.
Most people who eat organically and grow their own food prefer to purchase whole food from local markets rather than buying pre-packaged pre-cut veggies. The choice of where to buy fresh food is personal; however there are many benefits of purchasing plants right from the source. First, the fresher the plants, the better they are for you. And since most fresh vegetables come from local farms that provide the soil, fertilizer, and sunlight necessary to grow healthy plants, the microgreens grown at home are going to be some of the healthiest vegetables you have ever eaten.
So how do you get started growing microgreens? It is simple – you just need to know how. Like any vegetable, you must water them regularly, especially if you are growing indoors. Microgreen plants do very well when they are given a regular watering schedule. But for optimal growth, it is best that you water them every other day, taking care not to over-water or let the soil dry out. Microgreen plants will usually require about an inch of water per week, and you can increase this number as your plants mature.
If you’re growing microgreens indoors, it is best to keep a few things in mind. If the plants show no signs of leafing, there may be a blockage somewhere in the system. If this is the case, you should dig around lightly to clear the blockage and expose the roots again. Also, if you are planning to use any pesticides, remember that they will eventually become airborne, so you should consider wearing a face mask and breathing into a mask prior to applying the chemicals. For healthy plants, it is best to let them acclimate to the environment before applying chemicals.
As a growing microgreen entrepreneur myself, I learned that it is important to avoid planting too close together. If you have a vegetable patch on your front lawn that is full of excited new plants, make sure you keep at least three feet of space between them. For example, if you have three growing microgreens growing in a square foot of dirt, you should try to plant your veggies in the back. If you do, all of your plants will demand more watering. Remember, microgreen plants are drought friendly, but like all crops, they need some help when they need it.
If you have a beautiful piece of land, consider growing microgreens. While they are quite different from garden vegetables, they are also accustomed to rocky soil and hillsides. Some people believe that growing microgreens is like planting lettuce and spinach in the same garden; however, this is not true. Microgreen plants grow best in soil that is slightly rocky, moist, and well-drained. If you have a rocky garden, consider using rocks as part of your landscape design to provide good drainage and make your plants more tolerant of rocky conditions.
It’s a good idea to plant microgreen crops such as lettuce in the fall but don’t expect to get fresh greens all year long. Harvest them as needed to add flavor and texture to your meals. Microgreen business owners often use fall planting to start their fall planting with a new crop. When you’re ready for winter planting, there are several excellent choices, as well as perennials that can help control weed growth and provide color throughout the year.