Microgreens cultivation is emerging as one of the fastest-growing trends in today's farming and urban agriculture. They're considered “superfoods” for being packed with nutrients, easy to grow and can be harvested in just a few days. Microgreens are simply the tender, young leaves of vegetables and herbs that are picked when they have their first leaves.
Microgreens are gaining in popularity as ingredients for restaurants, health-conscious consumers, urban farmers and home gardeners because of their edible, nutrient-dense young leaves and short growing period.
Microgreens are young vegetable greens that grow up to 1–3 inches tall. Micro greens are different from sprouts as they are cultivated in soil or coco peat and are harvested by cutting the stem above the soil. Normally they can be collected after 7 to 21 days of germination.
These greens are renowned for their taste, colour and nutritional value. Research has shown that micro greens may have a much higher vitamin and antioxidant content than mature vegetables.
Home and farm-scale growers have several benefits in growing microgreens.
These advantages make microgreens farming the perfect choice for small-scale farming systems and urban farming.
The following varieties are fast-growing, easy to care for, and are ideal for beginners:
It is not necessary to have a lot of expensive equipment to begin microgreens farming at home. Basic requirements include:
Take a shallow tray and fill it with moist coco peat or potting mix and flatten the surface.
Scatter the seeds thinly and lightly press the seed into the growing medium.
Cover the tray for 2-3 days in the dark to promote good germination and stem elongation.
Remove cover and after sprouting put the tray in the sun or under grow lights.
Keep soil moist, but do not overwater, using a spray bottle.
When the first true leaves appear, cut the greens just above the soil using scissors.
Yes, microgreens farming is considered to be highly profitable considering the very short crop cycle, minimal water and space requirements. It is great for farmers to get several crops from the same agricultural land in a single year, thus providing a steady income.
Microgreens are a popular, trendy food item and are rapidly gaining popularity with restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and health-conscious people. Nowadays, many urban farmers are making a sideline business or a business of farming microgreens.
Microgreens cultivation is a good venture for people who wish to do small farming but are unable to invest much money, urban gardeners and especially for the beginners. Microgreens have emerged as a significant component of contemporary sustainable farming due to their rapid growth, low space usage and rising demand.
From personal consumption to a successful farming venture, microgreens farming can make a great decision.