Page 40 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2022

Micro-greens
I have mentioned micro-greens in previous articles but have not gone
into them in detail, hence this article. Although microgreens are not what some people would call vegetable growing, they are plants that we can eat and are a healthy option. One reason for writing this article is anyone from young children to OAP’s can grow them and you do not need a garden. As we have many elderly members who may feel heavy gardening is getting beyond them, they could still grow microgreens which would provide part of a meal. There is
no heavy work, it can all be done in the kitchen and no specialist equipment is required and the food miles is zero!
Looking at children they can easily grow micro greens and it starts them off in the growing habit. Microgreens are quick growing, easy to grow, easy to harvest and have good nutritional value so a good food for them. The seed germinates in a few days and some can be harvested in
7 to 10 days so holds the child’s interest and provides one of their five a day. It could also be something that could easily be displayed on a stand at a show to encourage growing and the children could “sow” them.
What are micro greens? They are the next stage up from sprouting seeds and down from baby leaves or “come and
cut again crops”. Micro greens are sown in containers of multipurpose compost and can be grown on windowsills, in conservatories, greenhouses, porches etc.
Kale
Pea shoots
Suitable containers include seed trays, old margarine tubs, meat trays or any shallow container with drainage holes.
They are easier to grow in the summer as it is warmer and lighter than the winter; if you heat your house for most of the day winter growing will be fine but if out at work all day and the house is unheated growth will be sluggish. Shorter days and lower light levels do not help either. Harvesting the crop is easy when it is tall enough it is just cut off using scissors, washed and ready to serve; not even any cooking so good for climate change!
There are a range of crops that can be grown so try some different ones as the taste and texture varies greatly and you may like some but not others. Once you know what you like buy large packets or by the kilo rather than expensive small packets. Store the seed in a cool dry
room (not the kitchen) or in the fridge in a Tupperware container with some silica gel.
As mentioned above the growing media can be multipurpose compost but John Innes Seed, peat free, sieved leaf mould, bark fines and sieved compost if not many weed seeds in; old growbag compost has been used by some growers. It does not have to be high in nutrients as the plants will only be in the media a short time.
Sow the seed very thickly (like mustard and cress) to get as many seedlings as possible in the container. Most but not all seeds are covered lightly with growing media. Water before sowing or place the container into a tray of water to soak up.
Once sown place the containers into a warm environment (15 to 24˚C) and leave to germinate. If the area is dry put the containers in polythene bags to keep the media moist. The seed should germinate before you need to water again, once germinated water with clean water.
Only use untreated seed – some seed is treated with fungicide to prevent seed rots but as the seedlings are harvested when very young using this seed is unwise. It avoids any chance of chemical contamination.
GROWING ON
As the seedlings are likely to be ready
to eat in 10 to 21 days the are unlikely to need feeding as there should be sufficient nutrients in the growing media; so the
only maintenance is watering. Check the containers every day and water if required, use tap water as this is chlorinated so prevents damping off disease. Grow the plants in good light but not direct strong sunlight which may scorch them. Keep the temperature fairly constant, it can be slightly lower at night but 10 to 24˚C is ideal.
Harvest by cutting with scissors just above the soil level just before you require them and wash in a sieve to ensure clean.
CROPS TO GROW
Basil – there are a number of types of basil, and all can be grown as micro greens,
they need a warm environment of 23 to 25˚C for germination so are better if grown during the summer. Sweet Genovese has
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