We’ve all heard of microgreens! Used by professional chefs and those that are health conscious around the world, microgreens are packed with flavors, aromatics, and textures along with a variety of high concentrated micronutrients including essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The only drawback – they can be really expensive when purchased at the store.
But what if you could grow your own microgreens indoors with a simple setup and enjoy their amazing benefits. Well, here’s how you can do just that!
To begin let’s understand what microgreens are. Microgreens are baby plants, such as radish, basil, arugula and fenugreek that are harvested early before their first true leaves appear. While this might remind you of sprouts, microgreens are just older sprouts, allowed to grow in soil with sunlight completely organically, greatly amplifying their nutrient profile and concentrating their flavors.
The easiest way to grow microgreens indoors is to cut a section of unpainted guttering that is the length of your windowsill and fill it with organic compost or a growing medium. After this, plant the best organic seeds you have access to, keeping the soil moist and ensuring sufficient sunlight. Depending on the plant, usually within a week, the seeds would begin germinating and tiny leaves would start appearing, signaling that the plant is now ready for harvesting. At this stage, all you need is a pair of small scissors to trim the plant and harvest it.
While this is the easiest way, there are no limits to your creativity when it comes to using different containers or trays and arranging them in your home. These can include using old food containers or baking pans, with a wide, shallow shape giving the best results. Just make sure to punch holes in the bottom to allow the excess water to drain away.
You can also mix different seeds in the same growing space and involve the entire family in growing and harvesting these amazing foods. Upon harvesting, these delicious microgreens can be used as a dressing, or to create exceptional flavor profiles while cooking.
As you incorporate them more into your diet and gain experience growing them, you can start scheduling the growing of your microgreens depending on your consumption, to have a constant supply of this amazing superfood.