How do I eat microgreen beans? Growing microgreens is not difficult once you learn how do I eat microgreens? Many gardeners struggle with the process of planting microgreens because they are not accustomed to growing them. Microgreens come from grubs that damage roots when they crawl down the plant’s stem.
Plant and eat microgreens: Choose carefully the variety of microgreen to be planted. The smaller varieties, such as kale and small pea, can be planted to replace more popular types of lettuce. You can also plant kale with a fungal disease called ringworm that infects young leaves and makes them curl up. Microgreens do not have the tough ringworm resistance that does true kale. The microgreens must be planted directly onto the garden soil or carefully rotted manure from a sheep or goat. If planting in a natural organic method, treat the soil only with a good compost for the plant.
Invest in pots: If growing microgreens in pots is a great option, it’s an especially good idea to choose a good potting soil. Make sure it has good drainage and doesn’t retain moisture. If the dirt is too dry, your plants will not grow very well. When watering your growing plants, make sure you water deep down to the roots, not just on the surface. Most commercial varieties of growing microgreens come with special trays that help keep them moist and give them room to spread out.
Plant true leaves: While many types of herbs can be sprouted without any preparation, true leaf microgreens require some special considerations. They are very sensitive to cold and wind, and will fail to grow properly if exposed to them. Avoid planting true leaf microgreen seeds directly onto a cold window, as this will stunt their growth. Also, consider planting true leaf microgreens in an area where there is a lot of sunlight, as this will also encourage growth. Choose a sunny location away from trees, as heat tends to dry out true leaf microgreens. In hot weather, move your sprouts to a cooler spot.
Grow with cotyledon leaves: The best way to eat true green leaf microgreens is to have them growing in cotyledon leaves. Cotyledon leaves are actually small leaves, or petals, that grow up from the stem. The leaves have large bases and a long stem that separate them from the flower head, or stamen. These roots grow down the stems of the leaves, and they supply the plant with the water and energy needed by the plant during the growing process. True microgreens that are grown in cotyledon leaves are more likely to survive when transplanting outdoors, and they look better when transplanted in pots because they are closer in appearance to their seed.
Avoid kale: Kale is one of the toughest greens to eat, but it is also one of the most nutritious. Unlike most greens, kale is actually a dark green, rather than a pale green. To eat kale, it should be chewed vigorously. If you want a milder alternative, try alfalfa or red beet greens. Both of these greens are low in calories and contain the same amount of nutrients as kale.
Harvest at the right time: Microgreen microgreens do not like a lot of sun, so try to grow them in indirect sunlight, or place them in a greenhouse during the coolest times of the year. Direct sunlight can cause stress to the plants, resulting in the seeds drying out and dying off quickly. Also, if you are growing the microgreen indoors, be sure not to put them in direct sunlight, since this will cause too much evaporation. Indirect sunlight can also cause the micro green leaves to change colors, from green to brown or yellow. For best results, choose a window that gets indirect light during the day, and put the plants in that spot during the evening.
Germinate at the right time: Most seeds need about 2 weeks to germinate, so just be patient and wait for your seeds to sprout. When you get your first microgreen crop, be sure to harvest the seeds immediately so they don’t dry out and die off quickly. The seeds will continue to germinate for a couple more weeks until you are ready to harvest. When you harvest your seeds, be sure to take them right away and put them in sealed containers in your refrigerator, taking care to cover the seeds with some paper towels or an aluminum foil.