Microgreens - Year-Round Sowing and Eating

Over the winter months when there is less to grow and sow, a great way to keep both your nutrition and growing needs covered is to grow trays of delicious microgreens. I have grown many, both in the Rhino Greenhouse during spring to autumn and on warmer windowsills over the winter months. The trays of seedlings look sumptuous and will be ready to harvest in as little as 10 days to 3 weeks, which is pretty fantastic!

Not only are they quick to grow but also so simple! Just sprinkle your seeds onto a tray of compost and then a very fine layer of compost on top. The compost doesn't even need to be great quality; as long as it isn't weedy, almost any will do - the seeds don’t need nutrients to grow because they won’t become mature plants. When they grow to about 10cm tall they are ready to harvest. Easy peasy! I use a misting spray to water microgreens because it keeps the level of moisture up without overwatering and doesn't wash the seeds around the soil.

The most extraordinary fact about these little seedlings is that they really pack a punch of healthy benefits, with more nutrition than the fully mature vegetable. They are full of vitamins and minerals plus enzymes making them easy to digest and full of antioxidants.

Depending on the variety, many can be left to grow again once harvested. Use scissors to cut the cut at the base of the seedlings, leaving a little behind for a smaller second harvest. If not, just remove the roots and re-sow for your next bath. I’ve grown radish, rocket, broccoli, basil, beetroot, peas, sunflower, red amaranth, cress, kale and pak choi. So many options.

When you’ve harvested them pop them into smoothies, stew, soup, salads, stir fry - any which way you like and start all over again.

Popular Microgreen Crops:

• Radish
• Rocket
• Broccoli
• Basil
• Beetroot
• Peas
• Sunflowers
• Red Amaranth
• Cress
• Kale
• Pak Choi
• Mustard
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Chia
• Buckwheat

To read more about Ellen Mary, you can find her on social media and on her website - https://www.ellenmarygardening.co.uk/

www.rhinogreenhouses.co.uk