You don’t need an official garden plot, just a few planting flats and a spot near a sunny window.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a gardener, you can grow micro greens and wheatgrass without getting your hands dirty, I promise.
Macerating juicer
By growing a flat of wheatgrass every 7 days, aficionados can save money on that daily, $3- to $5 dollar per ounce shot of wheatgrass.
A large packet of wheat grass seeds cost about $3 and has enough seed for a 10″ x 20″-inch planting flat or two.
Micro greens come in small 1.5 ounce plastic containers at upscale markets and at Trader Joes for about $3 dollars.
A large packet of micro green seeds cost $2.5 and yields more tender shoots than the small plastic container from the market.
WHAT IS A MICRO GREEN?
Any single vegetable or leafy green can be grown as a micro green.
A micro green is simply a crop in its early stage of life, and should not be confused with a “sprout.”
Baby radish, arugula, broccoli, peas and sunflowers can all be grown as sprouts and as micro greens.
Sprouts are seeds that have germinated in water for 3 to 5 days.
Micro greens grow into the next stage where the plant opens its first set of leaves, (cotyledons) and are allowed to grow a second set of leaves before harvesting.
Interestingly, test results from a USDA and University of Maryland study, show that micro greens are much more nutrient-dense at the baby stage than if allowed to grow and mature as a crop.
Many people enjoy eating micro greens as a salad or added to their sandwiches, soups and as a gourmet garnish.
If this information influences you to grow some micro greens or wheat grass, keep on reading.
I presented on how to grow micro greens and wheat grass on the Home & Family show recently.
MATERIALS FOR GROWING MICRO GREENS AND WHEAT GRASS
Botanical Interests has a good variety of micro green seeds
Gather the following materials:
-Seeds
-Seed Starting mix
-Spray bottle
-Plastic flat for planting
-Towels or dark planter cover
OPTIONAL- Seedling heating mat to maintain 75 degrees for optimal seed germination
OPTIONAL- Plant grow lights or LED light with “daylight” bulbs
INSTRUCTIONS:
DAY 1:
Savory micro seed blend covers the soil
After seeding the flats and covering with plastic dome, towels keep light out for best germination
- Fill planting flat with sterile seed starting mix and tamp level
- Moisten soil with spray bottle
- Spread the seeds densely over the soil
- Spray with water once more and cover with plastic dome and towels to keep light out so germination can take place in darkness
- Place on top of a warm appliance (clothes dryer) or on top of seedling heating to maintain root temperatures at 70-75 degrees.
DAY 2-3:
Micro-green seeds have sprouted
Day 3: The micro greens and wheatgrass need lots of light to continue growing
- Peak under towels for signs of sprouting and growth
- Check soil moisture and water if needed
- Once the seeds germinate and begin to grow, the foliage will be yellow and next step needs bright sunlight or artificial grow lights for plants
DAY 4-14:
Uncovered flat of wheatgrass in front of bright window continues to grow and green up
Day 5- micro greens and wheatgrass look more green
Grow lights are worth the investment for growing micro greens, wheatgrass or for starting seeds indoors.
Day 10- micro greens and wheatgrass are ready to eat and drink!
- Place the UN-covered flat of micro greens or wheatgrass near a bright window with 8+ hours of sunlight or place under grow lights, the longer the better.
- Grow lights are a good investment and will help your micro greens grow and green up fast. $30 at garden center.
- The sunlight and artificial light will enrich the plant with energy to keep greening and growing to the next step.
- Keep watering and harvest when first set or second set of leaves have emerged.
- After harvesting wheatgrass and micro greens, they will stay fresh in refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Foodie Gardener, Shirley Bovshow grows wheatgrass and micro greens for her Home & Family show garden segment on the Hallmark Channel.
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