How to Grow Microgreens: The Best Varieties and Tips for Beginners
Microgreens are a great way to grow fresh produce all year round, especially in the winter months when things aren’t growing outside. They are packed with nutrients, east to harvest, and make a fantastic addition to all sorts of dishes.
If you’ve not tried it before, here’s our guide to growing microgreens to get you started.
What are microgreens?
Microgreens are the young seedlings of edible plants that are harvested once the first leaves have developed. They grow quickly, with some varieties ready to harvest in as little as 7 days! You also don’t need much equipment or space, so they’re ideal for beginners and make a fun growing project for children, too. We’ve all grown cress at some point in our lives, but with so much choice, why not be a bit more adventurous?
What are the Best Microgreens to Grow?
Choosing which microgreens to grow comes down to flavour preference, ease of growing, or simply wanting something with a pop of colour. There are many herbs and vegetables that can be grown, and with such a quick lifecycle, you can easily try different varieties without much effort. Here are a few of the top categories for microgreen growers:
- Brassicas – brassica microgreens range from mild and earthy to fresh and peppery, depending on the type. They include varieties like broccoli, kale, cabbage, radish, mustard, rocket, and cress.
- Salads – salad leaf microgreens are often crisp and crunchy, adding extra depth and flavour. Lettuce varieties can sometimes have a mild, almost bitter taste, whilst spinach can be sweeter with a nutty undertone.
- Herbs – herb microgreens are a great way of giving fresh, punchy herb flavours without waiting for the full plant to grow. They include varieties like basil, coriander, parsley, and chervil, or chives and garlic chives for a mild onion flavour.
- Bright colours – there are lots of exciting microgreen varieties with bold colours and distinctive flavours that can add interest to all sorts of dishes. Varieties include beetroot, Swiss chard, radishes, and amaranth.
Whatever variety you choose, make sure you’re using seeds suitable for growing microgreens. Avoid chemically treated seeds, as treatments intended for conventional growing may not be safe for crops harvested at such an early stage. Purchasing your seeds from reputable suppliers with dedicated microgreen ranges, like us, is a good way to get started.
How to Grow Microgreens at Home
Most methods for growing microgreens follow the same basic principles, requiring very little effort or preparation. You can easily grow microgreens on a bright windowsill, though many varieties will also grow well in a greenhouse or cold frame when conditions are suitable.
Cleanliness and good hygiene practices are very important, so make sure you use clean trays and water. We recommend using a shallow container or pot, like this bamboo microgreen tray. You can fill it almost to the top with good-quality all-purpose compost, but we prefer to use these coir microgreen mats to make harvesting cleaner and easier. Whichever growing medium you choose, moisten it evenly before sowing your seeds across the surface, following the instructions for your chosen variety. You can also use wet kitchen roll or cotton wool to germinate your microgreens.
Place your tray somewhere well-lit and use a spray bottle to gently mist your seedlings as they grow. This is a softer way of watering that will protect your delicate shoots. Keep your growing media moist but not waterlogged, as excessive moisture can encourage mould.
Once your microgreens have developed their first leaves and reached a suitable height, it’s time to harvest them. Use clean, sharp scissors to cut the stems just above the growing media, taking care not to include any roots or compost. Microgreens are best eaten fresh, so rinse them off thoroughly and enjoy!
Don’t forget that different microgreen varieties have differing growth cycles, so they won’t all be ready to harvest at the same time. You can also stagger sowings to give you harvests at different times.
The Best Microgreens to Grow for Beginners
Growing Broccoli Microgreens
Broccoli microgreens are one of the easiest types to grow. They sprout quickly, don’t need much space, and have a high germination rate. With a mild, earthy flavour, they are perfect for a wide variety of dishes and contain beneficial nutrients, including vitamins A, C, E, and K. We love Broccoli Calabrese for its vibrant green stems and fresh flavour.
Growing Radish Microgreens
Radish microgreens have a very quick growth cycle and can tolerate minor variations in growing conditions. They have a bold colour, and contain beneficial nutrients. We enjoy growing Radish Rambo for its clean, peppery punch, and vivid violet stems.
More Microgreen Varieties to Try
Growing Pea Shoots
Pea shoots are great for beginners, as they have large seeds that are easy to sow and are generally quite forgiving to grow. They simply require a couple of extra steps in the process.
First, rinse your seeds to remove any debris and then its advised to soak them in a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide for 15-20 minutes to reduce the risk of mould. Rinse off the solution, then soak your seeds in room-temperature water for 6-8 hours. Finally, rinse them again before sowing. They will grow quickly and have a fresh, crisp spring pea flavour that can add dimension to many meals. They may also produce a second crop if you leave enough healthy growth and growing points intact when harvesting. We love growing Pea Tendril, as it’s so satisfying to watch the shoots develop, and they’re fantastic in salads, sandwiches, and stir-fries.
Growing Mustard Microgreens
Mustard microgreens are incredibly quick-growing and can be very satisfying for beginners, but you’ll need to take care when sowing them. Sowing too closely together can trap excess moisture and restrict airflow, increasing the risk of mould. They grow quickly, so keep an eye on their development and harvest once the seed leaves have fully opened, or according to the instructions for your chosen variety. We love growing Mustard Mizuna for its gentle peppery flavour with a hint of fresh sweetness.
Get Started With Our Microgreen Growing Bundle
To make growing microgreens even easier, we’ve put together this eco-friendly bundle with everything you need to get started. It contains a bamboo growing tray and coir mat, as well as three different seed varieties to try: Radish Rambo, Pea Tendril, and Coriander Split Seed.
Now that you know just how easy it is to grow microgreens, why not give them a go? With such quick growing times, you can try a whole range of different varieties, discover new flavours, and enjoy your harvests throughout the year. Explore our full range today and get growing!
