How to Grow Microgreens

Daisy SiskinUpdated: Apr. 24, 2020

Learn how to grow microgreens with this money-saving garden project.

If you’re an impatient gardener like me, microgreens might just be your thing. Microgreens are vegetable and herb plants grown only to the stage of their first few baby leaves. Super-high in nutrients, they’re harvested by snipping the stems just above the soil and are enjoyed in a variety of dishes—often in upscale restaurants. When they’re available in supermarkets at all, prices are eye-popping, so learning how to grow microgreens yourself is the way to go. Fortunately, this garden project is extremely easy.

Materials:

Soilless planting mix
Fork
Spray bottle
Container – Clear-lidded plastic containers make excellent mini-greenhouses.
Seeds – Purchase a packet of a microgreens blend or select individual packets and blend your own. Good choices include lettuce, arugula, broccoli, celery, radish, beet, chard, herbs and Asian greens.

Step-By-Step Instructions:

Step 1

Poke a couple of ventilation holes in the top of your greenhouse container. Moisten the soilless mix in a separate container, blending well to allow the water to be absorbed. Fill container about 1 inch deep with the moist planting medium. Use the fork to smooth the surface.

Step 2

Sow the seeds about 1/8 inch to ¼ inch apart. Gently tamp down the seeds with your fingers. Mist the seeds with the sprayer and close the container or cover with plastic wrap. Place in a sunny window and wait. You may see some activity as soon as the next day.

Step 3

Mist with water as the planting medium begins to feel dry. When the plants have a few leaves, take your scissors and harvest the tiny bounty. Rinse gently and store as you would lettuce in a crisper.

Enjoy your microgreens with these suggestions:

Toss with a subtly flavored vinaigrette and serve over fresh mozzarella and slices of heirloom tomatoes.
Use as an artistic topknot atop a tender filet.
Mix into a salad of tender lettuce for extra zing and interest.
Garnish canapés and other -appetizers for a party.
Add to sandwiches instead of alfalfa sprouts.