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Grow Microgreens at Home: Complete Guide


How to grow microgreens at home

Do you love the taste and health benefits of microgreens, but not the high prices at the store?


Well, it's time to start growing your own!


With a little know-how and the right setup, you can easily grow many delicious and nutritious microgreens at home.


Not only will you save money, but you'll also get the satisfaction of knowing that your microgreens are fresh and grown with care.


Microgreens are versatile and easy to grow and offer a wide variety of edible herbs.


They don't take up much space and can be harvested very quickly, making them a perfect addition to any home garden.


You honestly don't need much to get started, just a few pieces of equipment and some commitment, and you're good to go.


Today, we'll be showing you how to grow lots of microgreens at home. We'll cover the necessary equipment and how to use it to grow lots of microgreens.


We'll be growing microgreens vertically using wire shelves.


Wire shelves are perfect for growing microgreens vertically, as they allow you to stack multiple trays on top of one another.


The microgreens will be grown in 10-inch wide and 20-inch long trays, with 2-4 trays per shelf.


They will be grown under LED grow light strips that provide the light needed for the plants to survive.


The LED grow light strips are easy to attach under the shelf using zip ties or clamps, depending on your preference.


Usually, LED grow light strips come with multiple mounting options when you receive the lights.


So, are you ready to start growing your own microgreens?


With the right setup and some patience, you'll be enjoying fresh and nutritious microgreens in no time!



How To Grow Microgreens at Home


Use A Microgreen Growing Kit



Growing microgreens with a microgreen growing kit is a great way to get started with indoor gardening. Here are the basic steps to use a microgreen growing kit:


Choose your microgreen growing kit: There are many different types of microgreen growing kits available on the market. Choose one that suits your needs and budget.


Choose your microgreen seeds: Choose the seeds of the microgreens you want to grow. You can buy seeds from a local garden store or order them online.


Prepare the growing medium: Some microgreen kits come with growing medium included, while others require you to provide your own. Follow the instructions on the kit to prepare the growing medium.


Plant the seeds: Spread the seeds evenly over the surface of the growing medium. Press them lightly into the surface of the growing medium, making sure they are in good contact with the soil.


Water the seeds: Water the seeds gently with a spray bottle or watering can. Make sure the soil is moist but not waterlogged.


Cover the seeds: Cover the seeds with the lid provided in the microgreen growing kit, or use plastic wrap. This will help to create a humid environment for the seeds to germinate.


Place the kit in a well-lit area: Microgreens require a lot of light to grow, so place the kit in a well-lit area, near a window, or under a grow light.


Water regularly: Water the microgreens regularly, making sure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Use a spray bottle or watering can to water gently.


Harvest the microgreens: Depending on the variety of microgreens you are growing, they will be ready to harvest in 7-14 days. Use scissors to cut the microgreens just above the soil line.


Enjoy your microgreens: Use your freshly harvested microgreens in salads, sandwiches, smoothies, or any other dishes you like.



growing microgreens

Use Proper Shelving


Vertical microgreen gardening with shelving is a fantastic way to grow lots of microgreens in a small space, maximizing your yield and variety.


Growing microgreens vertically also means you can experiment with different kinds of microgreens and get a feel for indoor gardening.


In my experience, growing food vertically is the best and most efficient way to grow indoors.


With the right setup, you can produce a significant amount of healthy and nutritious food right in your own home.


The ideal setup involves using wired shelves, with 2 grow trays on the top 2 racks, and LED grow light strips on each shelf.


This is a great starting point, and once you get comfortable, you can expand and buy more later.


Setting up the wired shelves is simple and straightforward.


Just read the user manual when you receive the shelf and follow the steps to set it up.


With the right equipment and commitment, you can easily grow lots of microgreens at home and enjoy fresh, delicious, and nutritious greens year-round.



how to grow microgreens

Have The Right Type of Lighting


Lighting is crucial for successful microgreen growth, and the best option is full-spectrum LED grow light strips.


Unlike fluorescents, they produce less heat and have a lifespan that's ten times longer.


To get started, we recommend using two 4-foot-long LED grow light strips that can be attached to the wired shelf.


Each shelf should have two LED grow light strips to provide the necessary light for your microgreens to thrive. Without them, your microgreens won't survive.


Investing in quality LED grow lights is a wise choice, as they not only provide the right amount of light but are also energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan, making them a cost-effective option in the long run.


So, make sure to equip your microgreens setup with full-spectrum LED grow lights for optimal growth and yield.



Growing Microgreens

Setup The Grow Trays


Looking for seeds and grow trays to start your microgreen garden?


Amazon is a great resource to find everything you need.


When it comes to soil, creating your own is an easy and cost-effective solution.


One growing medium that I recommend is coco coir.


It's great for retaining moisture and is pest-free.


To give your microgreens the nutrients they need, I suggest adding earthworm castings to your soil.


You only need one cup per grow tray, and it provides essential nitrogen that promotes healthy growth.


Even if you don't use them for every grow, having earthworm castings on hand is a must for any serious grower, as they can improve the health of any plant grown in soil.


Once you have your soil ready, set up two trays on each rack of the wired shelf directly below the LED grow lights and start germinating your seeds.


Keep in mind that each type of microgreen has different germination requirements, so do some research beforehand to ensure success.


With the right equipment, nutrients, and know-how, you'll be harvesting delicious and nutritious microgreens in no time!


Once you get all the materials needed, all you got to do now is start germinating the seeds and start growing!



How Often Do You Water Microgreens?


Microgreens are best to be watered 1 to 2 times a day with a spray bottle. Once in the morning and once in the evening. Also, Instead of using a spray bottle, which can cause mold to grow.


Use a second growing tray under the one that is growing microgreens and fill it with water. Make sure the growing tray that is growing microgreens has holes at the bottom, so the second growing tray can give water to the roots of the microgreens.


A spray bottle is helpful when watering the microgreens as they are germinating. but other than that, once they are germinated. I highly recommend you use a watering tray under the growing tray until harvest time.


Be careful not to overwater as that can increase your chances of mold growing when using a spray bottle. To prevent mold from growing, water the plants as directed and have plenty of airflow with many small fans.


How Many Hours of Light Do Microgreens Need?


When using an LED grow light to grow microgreens, keep the light on for 18 hours, and off for 6 hours a day. This will ensure maximum growth for the microgreens and is something that should not be overlooked.

Types of Microgreens You Can Grow:

  1. Arugula

  2. Broccoli

  3. Radish

  4. Mustard

  5. Sunflower

  6. Wheatgrass

  7. Pea shoots

  8. Beet greens

  9. Cabbage

  10. Kale

  11. Spinach

  12. Chard

  13. Basil

  14. Cilantro

  15. Dill

  16. Fennel

These are just a few examples of the many types of microgreens that you can grow.


Different types of microgreens have different flavors, textures, and nutritional profiles, so it's worth experimenting to find your favorites.



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