Microgreens and Baby Greens: Sow and Grow Guide

By Botanical Interests
Photographs courtesy of Botanical Interests

Micro- and baby greens are tiny, tender, flavorful seedlings of vegetables and/or herbs. Microgreens may be harvested for their youngest leaves, while baby greens are harvested when they are 2" to 4" in height. Both pack a big punch when it comes to nutrients. Studies show they can be up to 40 times richer in vital nutrients than their mature counterparts.

Microgreens and baby greens are not just for chef-inspired plates anymore—these nutrient powerhouses can grow right on your windowsill. Quick and easy to grow indoors, sow micro- and baby greens in successions for a continuous supply at your fingertips. Grow your microgreens and baby greens in our growing trays. The growing trays and dome include a reusable, clear plastic dome, a perforated growing tray, and a solid drip tray.

How to Grow Micro- and Baby Greens

1. Place perforated growing tray inside the solid drip tray. Place both inside the optional carrying tray (sold separately).
2. Fill with seed-starting mix and wet until it is a light and fluffy sowing medium. Stir to aerate. 
3. Sow according to each packet variety's seed depth and spacing recommendations. 
4. Water from the bottom by adding water to the solid drip tray, or from above by using a mister to avoid splashing soil. Check the drip tray a couple hours after watering and empty if there is still water in the tray. 
5. Place the clear plastic dome over the growing tray to maintain humidity, moisture, and consistent temperature. 
6. When seedlings emerge, remove dome and continue to water (using a mister or bottom watering; reducing soil splashing on leaves) as needed to keep media moist. 
7. Keep indoors on a sunny windowsill or underneath grow lights. This can be as simple as a shop light with cool white fluorescent bulbs, or a mix of cool-white and warm-white tubes placed 1"–2" from the top of your plants and run for 14 to 16 hours per day. 

*These directions are for using the growing trays and dome. If you are repurposing a container, read the following and then return to step #5:

Use a shallow container with drainage holes, such as a recycled plastic clamshell container, like those used for berries or cherry tomatoes in the grocery store. Make sure to first wash the container in warm soapy water to remove debris and then sanitize in a 1:9 ratio of bleach to water for 30 minutes. When the containers have finished soaking, rinse them in clean water prior to use. Fill your container with 1"–2" of pre-moistened seed starting media.

Tips

• Optimal air temperature is 65°–75°F.
• Fertilizer isn't necessary for microgreens, but for baby greens, you can apply either an organic or half-strength, balanced, liquid fertilizer once true leaves appear. 
• Good air circulation is important to help prevent fungal disease. 
• For a continual crop, sow every 14 days. 

Harvesting

When seedlings emerge, the first leaf or pair of leaves to show are the cotyledons, which can look very different from the leaves that follow, called "true" leaves. Microgreens are ready to harvest in about 7 to 14 days after sowing, when they have cotyledons, and some true leaves depending on preference. Baby greens are ready in about 20 days, when they have true leaves at 2"–4".

Once cut, microgreens will not regrow, although if some leaves are left intact on baby greens you may see regrowth. Cool growing temperatures (below 65°F) may slow germination and growth. Harvest with clean scissors or snips cutting just above the soil line or leave some baby green leaves intact for regrowth. Rinse and use, or store dry micro- and baby greens in the refrigerator in a sealed container. See individual seed packets for more information about growing and using each variety.

Care for Kit

Hand wash and sanitize trays and dome between uses.

All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.

Article URL:
https://www.GardenSMART.com/?p=articles&title=Microgreens_and_Baby_Greens_Sow_and_Grow_Guide