Pea Shoots and other Microgreens

source: MIgardener

Microgreens are essentially seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs. Possible seeds to sprout are Kohlrabi, Turnip, Radish, Pak Choi, Beet, Mustard, Chia, Kale, Basil, Peas, Beets, Spinach, Cilantro and Mung beans, to name a few. Just as they are concentrated in nutrients, they’re also packed with intense flavors, and provide a nice textural contrast, especially in the winter months when no other fresh vegetables are available to the home gardener. Most microgreens only take about a week—and at most two weeks—to grow, you can always have microgreens at your fingertips.

Since microgreens do not require a lot of medium to grow on flat trays are generally preferred over regular nursery pots. While microgreens planting trays of different sizes may be purchased from different sources, it is also possible to recycle containers deriving from food packaging. The main recommendation is to make sure you are using material that is suitable for food production, that is clean, and that the trays have drainage holes at the bottom, which will allow to water the trays from the bottom without letting the water get in contact with the greens while enabling the excess of water to drain. After filling or setting the trays with the growing medium, using a clean container without holes and filled with drinking water you can slowly wet the growing medium from the bottom, and once the medium is wet enough let the excess of water drain. The moisture of the medium will help small seeds to stick to the surface and will keep the seeds moist during the germination process. At this point, you can start seeding by evenly distributing the defined amount of microgreens seeds on the entire growing area of each tray. Most of the microgreen's seeds do not require any treatment. However, for some species characterized by larger seeds or by a hard seed shell the germination process may be accelerated if seeds are pre-soaked in water. Seeds can be soaked in water overnight for 8-12 hours. During this process it is beneficial to rinse the seeds in running water a couple of times to wash the seeds and let them get some oxygen.

After distributing the seeds on the growing medium surface, it is not necessary, and it could be better to not cover the seeds with soil so that the sprouts remain clean. After seeding It is enough to apply some water occasionally using a spray bottle just to keep the seed moist during the germination process. To facilitate the germination process and keep a good moisture level during the germination it is recommended to keep the seeds in a dark environment for a few days. This can be easily achieved covering the microgreens trays with something that can block the sunlight. After the germination process is complete and seedlings reach a certain height it is possible to uncover the trays and expose the sprouts to sunlight. In selecting a place to grow your microgreens, consider that like any other plant microgreens benefit from good exposure to sunlight, therefore place them where you have more light. Usually, a window on the south side of the house or apartment will receive more sunlight than one exposed north. As the microgreens start growing, if the light is limited you will see the shoots leaning toward the light. A good level of sunlight will assure optimal growth and a higher accumulation of antioxidants are produced by plants primarily in response to the solar radiation.

At this point, besides the light, the only thing to do is to check that the seedlings have enough water. Water should be provided only if necessary, avoiding excess moisture and allowing drainage to prevent the development of mold. To limit the contact between water and the greens it is recommended to water the trays from the bottom. Opening the window occasionally to enhance air circulation may be beneficial as well to avoid excess moisture. Depending on the species and the growing conditions microgreens may be ready to harvest in a few days or in a couple of weeks after germination is complete. Microgreens may be harvested using a clean sharp knife or a pair of scissors right before being used for any preparation. Washing microgreens in fresh drinking water before consuming them is always recommended, however, be aware that microgreens plant tissues are very gentle, and their shelf life may be substantially reduced after washing. An alternative could be to bag and store microgreens at low temperatures and wash them right before they are used.