Growing microgreens indoor all winter long

Turn your windowsill or countertop into an indoor garden during the winter months with these microgreens.

For the ultimate in small space gardening, try growing microgreens on your windowsill or countertop this winter. Microgreens are young, tender vegetables and herbs that are harvested as seedlings. They are among the easiest vegetables you can grow and are packed with flavor and nutrition. Studies show that microgreens contain anywhere from four- to forty-times more nutrients than their full-grown counterparts. They are a great source of fiber, vitamins and essential minerals, and antioxidant compounds.

Many different plants can be grown as microgreens including your favorite leafy greens, herbs and any other vegetable that is edible at the seedling stage. Popular microgreens include flavorful brassica crops such as broccoli, radish, arugula, mustard and cress. Leafy greens including Swiss chard, spinach, chicory and endive also work well, as do celery, leek and onion. Several herbs are commonly grown as microgreens including basil, cilantro and dill. You can even grow legumes such as sweet peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas.

Let’s get growing

While some companies sell microgreen growing kits, no special equipment is needed to produce microgreens. The primary purchases include high-quality seeds and a good growing medium. Look for seeds labeled for production as microgreens. These tend to have good germination rates, have not been treated with chemicals, and are handled following food safety standards and regulations to avoid microbial contamination. As a growing medium, any seed-starting soil mix will work. Some gardeners prefer to use hydroponic grow mats made from cotton, hemp or synthetic fibers. The primary consideration when selecting a growing medium is a high water-holding capacity.

Microgreens will not be around long enough to develop deep roots, so any clean, shallow container will work as long as it has good drainage. Fill the tray with your growing media of choice and moisten it thoroughly. You may wish to fill your container ahead of planting to allow time for excess water to drain before seeding. Spread seeds densely over the surface of the soil and press them down gently. Our goal is to produce tall straight shoots which dense seeding promotes. Cover large seeds (like peas and beans) with a thin layer of soil. Note: seeds with a hard seed coat, like peas, chard and sunflower seeds, germinate faster if soaked in water overnight before sowing.

Germinate seeds in the dark by covering the container. Place trays in a warm location for germination. Depending on the types of greens you grow, seeds will sprout in 3 to 7 days. Once the seedlings begin to emerge, remove the cover and place the tray in a sunny location or under a grow light. Be sure to keep the soil evenly moist but not wet. A spray bottle works well for this.

Harvest time

As the shoots develop, you will see the leaf-like cotyledons unfurl, these are energy-rich storage organs that feed the developing seedling. Microgreens are ready to harvest when you see the first set of true leaves emerge. This can take one to three weeks, depending on the species. To harvest microgreens simply cut the shoots at the soil line using scissors or flower snips. Wash microgreens just before serving. They are typically eaten raw in salads and sandwiches, or as topping on just about any dish.