Clover microgreens are fast and easy to grow, as the germination is quick and the success rate is high. You can use a variety of methods to grow them, such as in a glass, using a wet cloth, or a hydroponic pad. Of course, they can also be grown in soil or coco coir.
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How To Grow Clover Microgreens
You can grow clover microgreens with just a microgreen kit and a pack of clover seeds right by your window if you have a well-sunlit window. If not, then I recommend you get an LED grow light. You'll also need a wired shelf to place the LED grow lights under.
Now let's get into the materials needed in order to grow cress microgreens.
Materials Needed:
Containers: At Least 3 growing trays
Growing Medium: Such as soil or coco coir
Grow Lights: T8 Grow Lights are the way to go
Misting Water Bottle
Scissors
First start with some clover seeds, I personally recommend getting clover seeds from Food to Live as they have given me the most success.
Step 1. Prepare The Grow Tray
Start with 2 10 by 20-inch growing trays, one will be beneath the other filled with water. While the one above will have drainage holes so the water can reach the roots of the microgreens. This will prevent mold growth and overall just make the growing process so much easier.
Do not add water to the one below yet, first grab the tray without drainage holes and fill it with coco coir. Then smooth out the surface and mist it well with a spray bottle. If you don't have a spray bottle then just sprinkle water over the coco coir until it is well moisturized.
Step 2. Add The Seeds
Next just add the seeds on top of the growing medium and spread the seeds evenly with your hands throughout the container. After planting water the seeds one more time, do not top the seeds with soil, just place another container on top to blackout the seeds for 3 days.
Clover seeds need humidity and dark to thrive. Set your tray in a place where it won’t get too hot, or too cold. 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. This begins the germination process. Then spray the seeds about 15 times once every 10-12 hours.
On the 3rd or 4th day, flip the blackout lid upside down and mist the bottom end. Lay on top of the growing clover sprouts to force them to grow strong. Leave the lid flipped for one or two days before exposing fully to light.
Step 3. Uncover And Give Light
On day 5 or 6 take off the cover tray and give your clover microgreens at least 12 hours of light every day. I recommend using a grow light, since growing them next to a window can cause your greens to lean and become leggy.
Now is the time to use the watering tray at the bottom of the container to avoid any soil from splashing onto the plants and to avoid mold growth. Do not use the spray bottle anymore. To do this just simply grab another tray that doesn't have holes at the bottom and fill it with water so it can reach the roots of the microgreens.
How To Harvest Clover Microgreens
The harvest window is relatively short, as they should be ready to harvest as early as day 8 of the 8 to 12 projected days it takes for them to mature. Harvest the shoots with scissors or a knife, cut about a quarter of an inch above the growing medium. And there you go you have now successfully grown clover microgreens.
Washing and Drying Clover Microgreens
Use a colander to rinse your clover microgreens thoroughly under cold water. Dry the microgreens completely by spreading them over some paper towels and letting them air dry. You can also speed-dry them by using a fan on a slow setting.
Cut microgreens are best if eaten right after drying, but can be stored loosely in a bowl in the refrigerator for several days. Do not try to refrigerate microgreens that are not completely dry.
How To Store Clover Microgreens
After you harvest your clover microgreens, you might wonder how you will store them. Just simply place them loosely in a bowl or container and put them in the refrigerator.
What Clover Microgreens can be used for
Clover microgreens are a great additive for sandwiches and salads and have a juicy nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
Health Benefits of Clover Microgreens
Clover microgreens are rich in many vitamins and minerals and are great for regulating bodily functions and reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
1. Prevents Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which you lack sufficient healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues. Which can make you feel tired and weak without you even knowing what caused it.
Clover microgreens contain about 5 percent of the recommended daily intake of iron, which helps carry oxygen to your body tissues and prevents anemia (1).
2. Aids In Weight Loss
Clover microgreens are rich in fiber that produces a feeling of fullness in the body and prevents you from overeating (2). Eating clover microgreens will assist you in maintaining a proper balance of carbohydrates and calories. Which will lead to a reduction in weight.
3. Prevent Cancer
Clover microgreens possess an abundant number of antioxidants such as phytochemicals and isoflavones. Which may hinder the spread of cancer cells by reducing oxidative stress in the body (3) (4).
4. Prevent Alzheimer's
Your brain needs oxygen to function properly and the iron present in clover microgreens helps deliver oxygen to the brain. By eating iron-rich diets you will lower your chances of developing Alzheimer's and dementia (5).
5. Cleanse Your Blood
Research has discovered that clover microgreens possess the capability to improve liver function and more effectively purify the blood. Therefore placing less stress on your circulatory and immune systems (6).
Clover Microgreens Nutritional Chart
Clover microgreens are rich in vitamins A, B, C, and K, zinc, magnesium, and protein. They are also low in calories so you can eat as much as you like.
Scientific Name: | Trifolium Pratense |
Minerals per 100g of (FW) | |
Calcium, Ca | 24 mg |
Iron, Fe | 0.85 mg |
Sodium, Na | 6 mg |
Vitamins per 100g of (FW) | |
Vitamin C | 7.1 mg |
Other Nutrients: | |
Protein | 3.53 g |
Fat | 0.59 g |
Fiber | 2.4 g |
Carbs | 3.53 g |
Specific nutritional data has not been researched by the FDA or USDA. The chart above is all we know so far.
Sources:
(2). Effects of Dietary Fiber and Its Components on Metabolic Health (nih.gov)
(3). Dietary Isoflavones and Breast Cancer Risk (nih.gov)
(4). Ins and outs of dietary phytochemicals in cancer chemoprevention - PubMed (nih.gov)
(5). The role of iron in brain ageing and neurodegenerative disorders (nih.gov)