How to Plant Microgreen Seeds
How to plant microgreen seeds is not that hard if you follow a few simple steps. Microgreens are an exciting new vegetable that are being widely released by organic farmers. Microgreens are small, purple, succulent purple sprouts with large leaves.
Your first step in growing microgreens is to make sure that your containers are clean. Make sure that your trays are also CLEAN before you plants. Reduce humidity by raising the air circulation in your container (cooler in the daytime but you can slightly uncover the containers) Also, reduce the seed concentration of your future seeds, particularly for mucilaginous microgreens. When growing microgreens, make sure to only water your plant every other day or once per week. The high moisture content of the soil may kill your new plants.
The best time to plant microgreens is during the spring or late summer. During the blackout season, or the cold, wet winter months from northern states, it is not a great time to try and grow them. In the northern states, during the months of January to February. Even in states in the south around April or May, during the rainy season.
How to plant microgreen seeds in a container with a good amount of sunlight is during the morning or afternoon when you can see at least 20 hours. The best place to plant them is in partial or full shade. During the blackout days your seedlings will need extra dark room and you may want to put them in a plastic bag to keep the leaves from drying out. You can also choose from the blackout dome trays that many suppliers sell as well.
Harvesting your plants is very easy. Simply remove the tray from the pot, and cut off about a quarter inch from the top of the trunk where the seeds are located. Some trimming of the branches is necessary to allow room for air to circulate under the tree. Once the trimmed branches are removed, you need to pull the leaves gently off the stems. Put them in a small bag and throw them away.
You may want to check your planting area to make sure there are no major weeds in the way. This will help reduce the number of times you need to pull out the seeds. If you have any trouble nailing down the location of the seeds, search online or consult a local garden center.
After planting, carefully dig the hole. Make sure the depth is comfortable for the plant. The holes should be approximately three to four inches deep. Fill with dirt and then cover the entire area with some mulch. Water the mulch in during the early part of the planting period and remove it before the last frost.
How to plant Microgreen seeds is quite easy if you follow the steps. It takes patience and dedication to get the best results. Remember that the success of planting these types of plants depends largely on the location of the seeds. The proper amount of sunlight, humidity and depth of planting will determine how healthy the plants will grow. Be prepared, the journey will not be easy but rewarding.
There are some conditions that you must meet for proper planting. First, the temperature must be around seventy degrees during the day and evening. The next step involves watering the seedlings after the sun has set. It is advisable to leave the pot in a warm place for the first week. The micro green plants will need to have their soil moist at all times.
The Microgreen seeds can be sown in spring, summer or fall. If they are sown in spring, they will need to be germinated before planting in the fall. When they are sown in the fall, there will be more room for the seeds to spread out and grow. You may be surprised when the first tiny leaf emerges. The beauty and fragrances are memorable!
Some of the plants require only water, while others may need fertilizer along with the seeds. Fertilizer should be applied once a month for the first three months then every two weeks in the following two months. Be careful not to over feed the plants because it will result in the roots not receiving sufficient nutrients. Another important rule is never to root the plants near fences, walls or any other structure. They will only take over your garden!