You now know that Microgreen are more than the packet of cress you had to plant at school, the seeds are freshly ordered and now you want to grow Microgreen for the first time? Nothing easier than that!
short guide for you if you Microgreen . This includes the theoretical part, but it shouldn't be too long, because as the saying goes, "All theory is gray, and its proclaimers are mottled gray." 😉
The following five requirements are particularly important for Microgreen s cultivation to work.
Requirements for successful cultivation
- Good substrate: If you Microgreen , we recommend good organic soil . Hemp mats, coconut fiber mats and other natural materials are also possible, but in our opinion the young greens grown on soil taste better, are more vital and you don't have to fertilize. The plants can feed themselves well with the nutrients contained in the healthy soil without withering away. When growing on mats, fleece or similar, you should fertilize after about 10 days to provide the greens with the nutrients they need (please only use organic fertilizers and not too much of them!).
- Optimal temperature: The optimal temperature for growing microgreens is between 18 and 22° C. Microgreen Microgreen an even temperature, then they develop fastest. At higher temperatures, bacteria and fungi can appear and your seedlings will dry out more quickly. At lower temperatures, the plants can absorb less water and develop more slowly and you could have problems with mold.
- Sufficient air and light: Microgreen require sufficient light when growing in order to form chlorophyll and their valuable vital substances. If you don't have a bright window sill, you can also install small additional lighting. For example, you can buy very good LED lamps with a daylight spectrum. Please make sure, especially in the first few days, not to expose the delicate plants to direct sunlight so that they do not burn. Regular ventilation is important - especially in the last days of cultivation - to get rid of excess moisture. This way you can avoid rot quite effectively from the start.
- Organic quality: Only with Microgreen s seeds from organic farming can you be sure that they are relatively uncontaminated and have largely not been exposed to chemical pesticides and artificial fertilizers.
- Microgreen s cultivation trays: There are special trays or trays for growing Microgreen , which are usually no higher than 6 cm. Please pay attention to drainage holes in the bottom of the trays so that excess water can drain away and prevent waterlogging. If you don't have professional trays at hand or want to try out first whether growing will bring you joy, you can also use any discarded (plastic) tray that has holes in the bottom, e.g. a tray from the supermarket in which blueberries are stored , raspberries, etc. were sold.
So now enough of the theory, we don't know how you feel, but we're already itching! 🙂
Step by step instructions for growing Microgreen
Soak Microgreen
We recommend that you larger seeds 8-12 hours before planting (ideally overnight) for , such as sunflowers , peas , mung beans or chard Please use a volume of water that is three times larger than the amount of seeds, as the seeds can swell significantly.
However, there are also exceptions to (small) seeds that should under no circumstances be soaked , such as rocket , cress and chia seeds.
These form mucus and after soaking they turn into a gelatinous mass that is impossible to use. In our table you will find soaking times for different Microgreen seeds.
Growing Microgreen
Take a shallow bowl with a height of 3-7 cm and fill it approx. 2-4 cm high with good organic potting soil . Then use a presser to create a smooth and even surface so that you can distribute the seeds well and they don't collect in holes in the ground.
Now you can distribute your seeds evenly over the soil . The correct distribution density requires a bit of sensitivity and experience: Make sure that you take just enough seed so that the seeds are not on top of each other. But don't take too little so that you make optimal use of your growing space.
After distributing, it is best to press your seeds lightly again with a presser so that all seeds have contact with the soil. Now you can moisten your bowl (preferably with a pressure sprayer ). Here too, sensitivity is required: please do not water too much , otherwise everything will be flooded, but also not too little, so that all the seeds and the soil are moist enough.
Now you're almost there!
If your sown variety is a light germinator , you can simply leave the tray open or cover it with cling film . If you leave them open, please make sure that your seeds do not dry out. Otherwise: It's best to check once or twice a day to make sure it n't getting too dry . If so: spray! The soil should always be moist, but not waterlogged .
If your microgreen variety is a dark germinator , you can either add a little soil to the seeds or cover them airtight and dark with a second tray or cover . This ensures that there is enough humidity in your bowl and that the seeds get the darkness they need for optimal germination.
Our insider tip: It's best to say “Hello again” to your green cabbage once or twice every day 😉 and check the moisture. Experiments have repeatedly shown that plants grow better and more magnificently when we talk to them and we can confirm this from our own experience.
You can find more information and tips and tricks about your favorite variety of leafy greens on our respective seed page .
Wait and enjoy
Now you actually only need to wait 3-4 days the seedlings have germinated and reached height of about 1-3 cm Then you can remove the cover . From now on, please keep an eye on whether it is moist enough in the bowl.
If your bowl has holes in the bottom , the best way water in another bowl of water half an hour and let it refuel itself.
If your bowl does not have holes at the bottom , you can also water it with a hand sprayer ; this is also possible without any problems Microgreen such as peas , sunflowers You should be more careful with fine Microgreen such as broccoli , amaranth and the like, as they don't like moisture on their leaves and rot more quickly.
Microgreen s harvest
Until the harvest after 7 to 20 days, only regular watering necessary. depending on the variety, you can cut your Microgreen a finger's width above the ground and enjoy!
Please only cut off as many Microgreen as you want for your meal, because after harvesting the small greens should be used straight away.
Enjoy Microgreen appetite and see you on the next variety 🙂
Final remarks
A little tip about the soil you used: Unfortunately, the suitable for a new pass because it could start to mold due to seed residue. You can either dispose of them in the compost or use them in flower beds.
There are countless options when you Microgreen , this is just one of them. This is not intended to be a complete user guide, just a rough guide. Just try out a lot, let your creativity run wild and find your optimal path. If nothing happens, don't despair, no master has fallen from heaven yet 😉 If you have specific questions, you are welcome to search our FAQ for a suitable answer!
would like to find out a little more about Microgreen Microgreen there are, which of them are suitable for beginners and what the crucial difference is compared to sprouts, then please read our blog post “What are Microgreen ?” .
