What are Microgreens?
Microgreens are sometimes called Microherbs or Minigreens.
They are essentially any type of small immature vegetable, but usually the shoots or leafy type. Microgreens can can be harvested anything from as young as 9 or 10 days, up to 6 or 7 weeks, depending on taste.
What makes these little beauties so good is that they not only contribute to a very healthy diet, but they are easy fun and very cheap to grow. You don’t need much space at all. In fact, I know a couple of people who grow them in their own living room or on a windowsill.
What are the benefits of Microgreens?
It is said that Micro greens are in the Top Ten of Healthy Foods. When the leaves or shoots are harvested you are provided with a concentrated intensity of flavours and generally good stuff.
Their disease preventing properties of vitamins, minerals and those all important anti-oxidants are what make them a ‘Super Food’ All that aside, they are simply very tasty , which is why you’ll see them on the menus of some the best restaurants in the world.
Growing Your Own Microgreens
Right, this is super easy. Start off by ordering some seeds. Nicky’s Nursery will send you a nice selection. They are in the UK, but will deliver to Spain (we are working on finding a decent supplier here in Spain). You’re going to need quite a few seeds, as you will harvest them before they are full grown, so stock up well.
There a several ways to grow the Microgreens, but as usual I prefer to opt for the easy, inexpensive option.
Buy some plastic seed trays from your local garden centre. You need an equal amount of trays with holes for drainage as solid ones that go underneath to catch drips.
Add some organic compost that is suitable for vegetable growing. Plant you seeds about an inch under the surface and don’t be afraid to use plenty of seeds in one tray as you’ll be clipping them to eat before they get very big at all. I prefer to use a different tray for each variety.
Keep them either outside (but not when it’s too hot) or in a light spot in the kitchen. Give the trays a good watering and keep the soil moist to the touch with regular sprays of water. Grow as little or as much as you feel like, but I warn you, you’ll be addicted because they taste fantastic!
