How to grow microgreens

Microgreens are just leafy vegetables or herbs that are harvested when they're young. They're packed with nutrients and add a great pop of flavour and colour to any dish. Even if you don’t have much room in your garden, you can always grow them on an indoor windowsill. They’re quick and easy to grow from seed.

All you need is a couple of weeks and some basic equipment:

• A seed tray or shallow container with drainage holes, such as a used fruit punnet. 
• Paper towel to use as a liner. 
• Seed compost.
• A spray bottle for water.
• A sunny location such as a windowsill, or alternatively, a grow lamp or other wide-spectrum light source.
• Seeds of any green leafy veg or herbs such as basil, coriander, or parsley.

Get growing!

• Line your container with a few layers of paper towel to help retain moisture without blocking drainage.
• Fill your container with a seed-raising mix.
• Sow your seeds on top of the mix and cover them lightly with more mix.
• Spray the surface with a fine mist of water, being careful not to dislodge the seeds.
• Place the container in a sunny spot on your windowsill or under a grow lamp.
• Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged and mist the surface at least once a day.
• When the tiny plants are a few centimetres tall – harvest them with scissors.
• They won’t regrow from the roots, but you can plant a few trays at different times, so you always have some ready to harvest and eat.

Try:

• Lettuce, rocket, mizuna, and other salad leaves. 
• Brassicas including cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, mustard, spinach, and watercress.
• Peas and beans
• Radishes of all kinds. 
• Tender green herbs such as basil, coriander, and parsley. 

More ways to grow your own produce:

Easy fast-growing vegetables

Start an indoor edible garden

Sources:

The Seed Collection

Gardening Australia

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