10 Varieties of Microgreens to Grow at Home
Microgreens are quite easy to grow and quick to produce. The best part is that they require only a minimal investment. Although they may be “micro,” their nutritional values can be through the roof. You will be pleased to find a wide range of flavors among them.
You can use them to make and improve salads, soups, drinks, smoothies, sandwiches, or even use them as garnishes. Their vibrant colors and unique flavors kick up any dish, both aesthetically and taste-wise!
The following are our top ten microgreens, along with instructions on how you can grow them and use them, and some interesting nutritional facts:
Alfalfa
Growing Procedure:
It is advisable to grow Alfalfa microgreens hydroponically. Don’t pre-soak the seeds and only use about one ounce of seeds per 1020 tray. Make use of a blackout dome for three to five days.
On days three and four, flip the lid onto your growing crop to augment the strength of the plant. You will observe germination around one to two days with an estimated time to harvest being eight to twelve days. These microgreens possess large, deep-green leaves with mild flavor and crunch.
How to Use:
You can add them to salads or sandwiches for an extra crunch.
Beet
Growing Procedure:
Soil is the ideal growing medium for the Beet microgreen. Pre-soak for about 1.2 ounces of seeds for eight to twelve hours in cold water. The blackout period for these microgreens is six to eight days, and germination will occur over three to four days.
The estimated time to harvest is ten to twelve days, and your crop will have green leaves and dark red stems. Make sure to cut close to the soil line to feature the stem.
How to Use:
Use as a topping for your beet hummus toast - it is a feast for your eyes and taste buds!
Buckwheat
Growing Procedure:
Buckwheat microgreens also prefer soil as their growing medium. The seeds require to be soaked in cold water for twelve to twenty-four hours before planting. Following that, you should rinse them well. Plant about twelve ounces of seeds per 1020 tray.
Use the blackout lid for three to four days and continue to mist during the blackout to ensure that the soil remains damp but not mushy. Germination will occur in one to two days after planting, and the estimated time to harvest is six to twelve days. Some early leaves may seem to be yellow, but they will become green in the sunlight. Be careful in harvesting your plants prior to gently rinsing and drying them. Buckwheat microgreens are pale green, and they possess a tangy flavor.
How to Use:
Buckwheat is a wonderful option for anyone who is gluten-free. A handful of these makes a tasty snack when consumed on their own.
Nutritional Benefits:
Buckwheat microgreens are being evaluated for their potential anti-inflammatory composites.
Clover
Growing Procedure:
The Clover microgreen grows best hydroponically. You need to use about one ounce of seeds per 1020 tray, and there is no need to pre-soak them. Use a blackout dome for three to five days. At day three and four, prudently flip the blackout lid onto your plants to assist strengthening your crop before exposing them fully to light.
Germination will occur one to two days, and the estimated time for harvesting is eight to twelve days. These microgreens will pose green leaves that have a mild and fresh flavoring. The flavor is sweeter, depending on how young the clover is.
How to Use:
Dash some of these microgreens over any salad as a topping for a flavorful crunch.
Nutritional Benefits:
Clover microgreens are bursting with iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
Collards
Growing Procedures:
Collard microgreens grow the best hydroponically. You will use about one ounce of seeds per 1020 tray, and there is no need to pre-soak. Germination will occur in one to two days, and the estimated time for harvesting is ten to twelve days.
These microgreens have the same flavoring as adult collards, but with more intensity, and a dark green color. They serve as a great addition to salads or garnish.
How to Use:
Garnish your spaghetti with collards microgreens and a lemon wedge.
Kale
Growing Procedure:
The Kale microgreen also grows the best hydroponically. You will use about one ounce of seeds per 1020 tray, and there is no need to pre-soak them. Use a blackout dome for three to five days.
At day four and five, carefully flip the blackout lid onto your growing crop. This will allow you to strengthen the roots before exposing them to light. Germination will occur in two to three days, and the estimated time to harvest is eight to twelve days.
These microgreens will be green with flavor, resembling red leaf lettuces and traditional romaine. They make a great base for a microgreen salad.
How to Use:
You can use these to make “Superfood Warrior” and “Anti-Oxidant” smoothies.
Nutritional Benefits:
Chard and Kale are rich in lutein (an antioxidant that protects your skin and eyes) and zeaxanthin, which may decrease your chances of Macular Degeneration.
Kohlrabi
Growing Procedure:
Kohlrabi favors to be grown hydroponically. You need to use about 1 ounce of seeds per 1020 tray. There is no need to pre-soak. Use a blackout dome for around three to six days, and on day four and five, toss the blackout dome onto your growing crop to fortify the roots before exposing them to light. Germination will occur two to five days with an estimated time to harvest, being eight to twelve days. These microgreens will pose white stems and green leaves.
How to Use:
They possess a mild, cabbage-like flavor, so they make an excellent garnish for salads, sandwiches, or slaw.
Pea
Growing Procedure:
The pea microgreen prefers soil as the growing medium. You need to pre-soak the seeds in cold water for twelve to twenty-four hours before planting. Ensure that you use plenty of water and a large bowl when soaking because these seeds tend to soak up copious amounts of water. Following soaking, gently transfer your seeds to a colander before misting them about two to four times daily. Continue doing so until you start to see the seedlings peeking out. They are then ready for the soil!
Use about twelve ounces (or 1 ½ cups) of seeds per 1020 tray. Use a blackout lid for the first three to five days, but mist twice a day during the blackout time. You should see germination within about two to three days after planting.
Continue to mist after germination and keep the soil damp but not mushy. The estimated time for harvesting is eight to twelve days. Carefully harvest your plants before gently rinsing and drying. These microgreens will be green with a mildly sweet, crunchy texture and fresh flavor.
How to Use:
They make an attractive garnish topping for an omelet or a tasty supplement for a strawberry salad.
Nutritional Benefits:
Pea microgreens deliver seven times the vitamin C of blueberries and eight times the folic acid of bean sprouts.
Radish
Growing Procedure:
The Radish microgreen favors to be grown hydroponically. Use about two ounces of seeds per 1020 tray, and there is no need for pre-soaking. You will notice germination for one to two days. The estimated time to harvest is five to twelve days and will have a slight crunch and a strong radish flavor. Their red and green coloring makes them a lovely addition to any dish. They are, no doubt, a great topping for sandwiches, particularly a salmon burger.
How to Use:
Add radish microgreens to bring out the flavors of a watermelon avocado salad.
Nutritional Benefits:
Researchers have uncovered that radish microgreens comprise of up to forty times higher levels of vital nutrients than their mature counterparts. They also have high quantities of Vitamin E, Vitamin K, and Vitamin C.
Swiss Chard
Growing Procedure:
Swiss Chard microgreens prefer soil as their growing medium. You will need to pre-soak the seed twelve to twenty-four hours in cold water. Drain thoroughly, and then use about two ounces of seeds per 1020 tray. Use a blackout dome for four to seven days and notice germination in about two to five days. The estimated time to harvest is eight to twelve days, and your microgreens will turn a darker shade of green.
How to Use:
They make a great addition to your pizza or salad!
Nutritional Benefits:
Kale and Chard are high in lutein, which is an antioxidant that protects your eyes and skin. They also possess zeaxanthin, which may reduce your chances of Macular Degeneration.
These are the easiest variety of microgreens to grow at home. They require minimum amounts of investment for maximum amounts of health benefits!