How to Best Set Up Your Sunflower Microgreen Garden
The best microgreen set up for a new or growing garden of any kind is the planting of hydroponic microgreens. This is because they will do best in a growing medium with lots of nutrients for growing. If the growing medium is not up to par, the plants can often do much better than if it was good enough. Also, the roots of these tiny plants need a plentiful supply of light and water. When you plant them properly, you’ll find they will do very well in just about any growing environment.
Harvesting your Microgreen Set Up. When your hydroponics microgreens reach about 1-3 inches in height and open up a solid, healthy set of leaves you know they’re ready to harvest. Just use a strong, long, hollow, metal scissor to clip them above the nutrient rich soil surface. Rinse three-4 times and enjoy the harvest! If you’re harvesting for eating, be sure to remove all the leaves and stems from the harvested crop as these can make a great meal in their own right.
Making Your Own Hydroponic Recipes. Many folks at farmer markets and local gardening stores will have a variety of recipes for growing microgreens. What better way to try out different flavors than to grow and harvest your own? Try some of your favorite vegetables such as collard greens, Swiss chard, or red onions with your favorite flavor. You might also consider creating your own summer sausage, balsamic flavored spaghetti squash, or fresh basil beef.
Adding a Garnish. When harvesting your first batch of microgreens it’s important to take note that harvesting should be done just before leaf emergence. This ensures that your microgreen seedlings are fresh when you place them into your favorite salad recipe. You can try spiking your salads with a little Rosemary, fresh dill, or lemon wedges.
Cooking With Microgreen: Invest in a good casserole dish and use a few varieties of microgreens. Place your harvested sprouts on top of your favorite pasta recipe or add them to your next bean salad. Many people even use microgreens as an ingredient in their recipes. Try steamed white rice or penne pasta with a delicious fresh herb garnish for an easy, fresh flavor boost.
Salad Dressing Ideas. After harvesting your microgreens be sure to clean out your bowl so you’ll be ready to use your new tasty salad dressing! Try spiced apple cider vinegar, raw honey, chopped dill, chopped olives, or croutons to round off your salads.
Best Place to Grow Your Microgreen Meats. In areas where fall harvesting is more common, the best growing conditions are generally during the spring and summer months. There are several options for growing microgreens, but no matter what you choose, ensure that you’re growing them at the right season to receive the full benefits of the rich, leafy greens. Avoid planting microgreens during the winter or at a time of year when temperatures are likely to drop.
Best Microgreen Set Up and Eating Experience. Microgreens are easy to eat and provide a delicious alternative to traditional salad ingredients. Try pairing a bowl of your favorite microgreen dressing with sliced portabellas or red quinoa for a delicious dinner. Other popular combinations include grated parmesan and balsamic vinegar for a spicy twist on a grilled chicken salad, or roast garlic and root vegetables for an appetizing dish with a twist of Italian flavor.
Best Microgreen Use for Summer Preparation. The best growing microgreens for use in summer preparation come from warm, sunny climates. Choose sunflower microgreens for their high phosphorus content, which will help create an amazing base for salads and other summer dishes. Or try sunflower broccoli microgreens for a tasty alternative to fresh summer vegetables.
Best Microgreen Garnish. To give your growing microgreens a unique flavor, try garnishing your meal with baby leaves, petals from a rose bush or any green-like vegetable. A small bunch of alfalfa would be an interesting alternative to croutons, if you have a food processor; or try a lemon wedge garnish for an impressive presentation. There are other great choices for garnish, including vegetable slices, thinly sliced chives, and even romaine lettuce.
Best Microgreen Set Up For Meals. If you like your salads and side dishes to complement the micro green color of the plants themselves, you’ll want to make sure that your salads and side dishes can withstand the intense heat of a hot summer’s day. For example, using sunflower microgreens as a popular dressing on a grilled chicken breast can melt in the grill, but if you use any other garnish, such as baby sprouts, be sure that it won’t burn or melt. Try serving your favorite grilled recipes without any extra garnishes on the side and watch as your family enjoys its unique flavor.