Do you know microgreens that you can grow yourself to enjoy their wonderful benefits?
These young shoots of vegetables or aromatic herbs are superfoods that cannot leave you indifferent if you take care of your health.
They contain an extreme vitamin and mineral content, exceptional antioxidant power, and immeasurable health benefits.
Whatever the chosen variety, their cultivation is a real added value to provide you with all the nutrients necessary for optimal organic functioning.
More valuable and healthy than the ordinary vegetables we eat every day, take the time to dwell on both the health benefits that microgreens bring you and their easy growing, whether you have a garden or you live in an apartment.
Contents
- 1 What are microgreens
- 2 What are microgreens used for
- 3 What are microgreens good for
- 4 Microgreens benefits
- 5 How to grow microgreens without soil
- 6 How to grow microgreens indoors without soil
- 7 How to grow microgreens in a jar
- 8 How to grow microgreens hydroponically
- 9 Where to buy seeds for microgreens
- 10 How to eat microgreens
- 11 How much microgreens to eat per day
- 12 Cilantro microgreens benefits
- 13 Radish microgreens benefits
- 14 Sunflower microgreens benefits
- 15 When to harvest microgreens
- 16 Best microgreens growing kit
- 17 How to store microgreens
- 18 Microgreens list
- 19 Microgreens prices
- 20 Why are microgreens so expensive
- 21 Where to buy microgreens
- 22 Microgreens advantages
What are microgreens
Microgreens are simply seeds of plants, vegetables, or herbs, which are harvested when they are at the young shoot stage.
They are grown on potting soil and exposed to light.
They are harvested when they reach 1 to 3 inches depending on the variety.
Their interest is to deliver on average four to six times more nutrients than the mature plant.
What are microgreens used for
Microgreens are primarily used to add color and flavor to cooking.
They offer an incomparable aromatic intensity and subtly enhance soups, sandwiches, salads, pasta, and even some desserts.
They can also be incorporated into smoothies and various fresh juices.
What are microgreens good for
These young greens have some pretty notable health benefits.
They contain many nutrients such as potassium, zinc, iron, copper, and magnesium.
Some studies show that they deliver up to 40 times more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than the same mature plant, with these results varying according to the species grown.
Microgreens benefits
We can consider that young greens are superfoods as their nutritional contribution is considerable.
Containing vitamin K and fiber, they help control hypertension and thus prevent heart problems.
Some species are also excellent for controlling cholesterol levels by lowering LDL cholesterol.
They are also very active for intestinal health due to their high fiber content.
They even provide a prebiotic role and feed the intestinal flora in a very positive way.
Dermatological problems and skin health are improved.
How to grow microgreens without soil
As a general rule, microgreens are grown on a bed of potting soil or on a pellet of a substrate, in particular peat.
But it is also possible to grow them on a mixture of vermiculite (natural mineral) and perlite (volcanic rock), helped by a natural liquid fertilizer such as a mineral nutrient solution or a nutritional supplement fertilizer.
We even manage to make them germinate on simple sheets of paper towel and water.
How to grow microgreens indoors without soil
It is possible to grow microgreens in 3 inch peat pots or any other container of the same size and then place them on a sunny window sill to ensure germination and plant growth.
You should know that germination requires a minimum temperature of 70°F.
If you cannot reach this ambient temperature, it is recommended to use a seedling heating mat like this one (#ad).
Failing that, placing a heating pad under the tray of pots can also help with germination.
How to grow microgreens in a jar
Nothing prevents you from using a glass container such as a jar or any container.
It does not matter the size because the culture of microgreens does not expect long roots.
Also, you only need to have enough room for the chosen soil, whether it is potting soil or peat, to be able to sow the seeds there.
Make sure your glass container is clean and sanitized before you use it.
How to grow microgreens hydroponically
Hydroponics is the act of growing plants without the use of soil, by immersing only the roots in water.
The first method consists of placing the plants in a pot and then soaking the roots in a diluted fertilizer solution.
The second results in the use of a hydroponic culture kit which serves as a support for the buckets and stirs the nutrient solution through a pump.
Growth is accelerated.
Hydroponics is ideal for growing microgreens indoors but it is best to choose a growing kit with a light source (#ad) as this process does not remove the need for light necessary for plant growth.
Where to buy seeds for microgreens
To find microgreens seeds, you can contact a local farm or nearby garden center.
Some health food stores also sell them.
Finally, it is also possible to find them online, like here on Amazon (#ad)
You can also consult the forums dedicated to the cultivation of microgreens to obtain some good addresses.
How to eat microgreens
There are as many ways to eat microgreens as there are vegetables and fruits.
You can also eat them as is, without any preparation, which keeps their crunch, freshness, and flavor.
For the rest, you can use them as a spice and sprinkle them on a pizza, an omelet, or pasta.
You can add them to a salad, arrange them in a sandwich, make a pesto or dip them in a soup.
There are as many ways to eat microgreens as there are cooking recipe ideas!
It is best to eat them raw but you can also cook them.
Be aware, however, that cooking changes the texture and flavor and that you will have to adapt to it.
How much microgreens to eat per day
It is not easy to answer this question because many parameters come into play.
What is your diet? How are your meals made?
It is sometimes recommended to consume around 25 grams of microgreens per day, but this mention can only be indicative.
Depending on your consumption of fruits and vegetables, you will be able to find the quantity that suits you.
Cilantro microgreens benefits
Cilantro is a condiment plant to be favored in the cultivation of microgreens.
It contains a very high content of beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
These carotenoids are essential for eye health and in particular for slowing the progression of cataracts, but they are also essential antioxidants for organ function and cellular protection.
Do not hesitate to cultivate cilantro, its young shoots contain three times more beta-carotene than its adult leaves.
Its vitamin contribution is also notable since it delivers an excellent rate of vitamin K, C, and E.
Radish microgreens benefits
Radish sprouts are an invaluable source of nutrients.
They deliver protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
These amino acids that the body does not produce are essential for many processes and in particular the regulation of energy, a strengthened immune system, improved healing, or better absorption of calcium.
Carotenoid antioxidants fight free radicals that cause inflammation that can lead to serious illnesses.
Radish microgreens contain high levels of vitamins C, K, and E essential for immunity, blood clotting, and skin.
Sunflower microgreens benefits
Sunflower microgreens are a very substantial source of vitamins.
They contain vitamins A, B6, C, D, E, and K as well as folic acid.
They are excellent proteins providing a very interesting content of iron, potassium, and magnesium.
A recent study has shown that daily consumption of sunflower microgreens improves muscle, neurological and cardiac functions while strengthening bone capital, boosting the immune system, and regulating the digestive system.
The health benefits of sunflower sprouts are invaluable and worthy of your attention.
When to harvest microgreens
The cultivation of microgreens is very simple, especially since two to three weeks after sowing, it is already time to harvest.
The signal for this harvest is the appearance of the first leaves.
When you see them appear, you can then cut them at ground level.
They are immediately consumable, and full of flavors.
Best microgreens growing kit
If you want to get into growing microgreens, you can get a microgreens starter kit like this one.
With practice, you might be tempted into a specific home grow kit.
And maybe even out of passion, you will be tempted by a professional kit that will finally allow you to cultivate intensive microgreens.
How to store microgreens
The microgreens withstand refrigeration for about a week without affecting their freshness.
You can place them in the refrigerator without washing them, taking care to wrap them in paper towel and then store them in a zipped bag.
It is preferable to opt for the vegetable drawer which offers a temperature of 4 to 6°C ideal for their conservation.
Microgreens list
You can grow many varieties of vegetables, herbs, and plants.
The 10 most recommended to start with are:
– radishes
– cilantro
– broccoli
– beet
– arugula
– cress
– cabbage
– basil
– carrot
– celery
Of course, this list is not exhaustive, you can be as creative as with the vegetables and aromatic herbs you use every day in your meals.
The list is endless.
But some strains like the ones listed are easier to grow by not requiring sustained attention.
Microgreens prices
If you want to test these superfoods before you start growing them, you will notice that their price varies between $25 and $40 per 500 grams depending on the variety.
Why are microgreens so expensive
These young greens are much more expensive than the vegetables that are commonly found.
This additional cost is justified by the fact that the intensive cultivation of microgreens requires laborious work and constant attention so that they are perfectly hydrated, nourished, and enlightened.
Where to buy microgreens
You can find these young shoots from specialized microgreens growers, microgreens farms, or even some organic stores.
Microgreens advantages
As we have just seen, growing and consuming microgreens is a real health benefit.
It can be ingenious to introduce them into your daily diet to take advantage of their virtues at a lower cost.
It’s not that difficult to grow them at home, even if you don’t have a green thumb.
The microgreens cultivation starter kits are there to accompany you and help you to succeed in your sowing.
And the time of this growth is so short that you will be able to enjoy your production very quickly.
Otherwise, you still have the possibility of contacting the nearest market gardener to obtain these wonderful shoots.
Don’t delay, you may be missing out on a superfood for optimal health.
