Hip farm to table restaurants and avid green thumbs have come to appreciate microgreens. These edible seedlings have gained mass adoration in the last couple of years. They pack a punch of flavor in every dish and have been featured in a lot of dishes for their adorable, miniature aesthetic.
After microgreens are harvested, they can regrow. Not only do microgreens produce a bountiful supply each time they grow, but as long as the seeds and soil are left intact after harvest, the shoots of the microgreen will regrow and continue to produce, with proper care.
There are a lot of benefits to these little plants. They are full of nutrients, making them an amazing addition to salads, avocado toast, or even smoothies. There are so many variations of them that anyone is bound to love at least one. Let’s dive into the different variations of microgreens and some micro-gardening tips so everyone can get in on the latest herbal craze.
Do Microgreens Regrow After Being Cut?
The short answer is yes, but the longer, more viable answer is that it depends. There are over twenty variations of microgreens in this ever-growing vegetable class, and while some of them produce multiple rounds of crops, some of them are just a one and done type of deal.
So, which microgreen varieties can you count on for harvest after harvest?
Most notable among those that will regrow after cutting are:
- Pea microgreens
- Broccoli
- Fava bean microgreens
- Kale
However, it should be noted that the boastful flavor profile of microgreens– one of the reasons they are so well-loved– is definitely not as strong in subsequent batches. They also take longer to grow back each time and eventually will stop re-growing. Once that happens, the soil makes great material for a healthy compost.
As mentioned, gardeners of all experience levels have embraced this trendy vegetable. One of the best things about them is that there is a lot of flavor packed into a little package, so a little bit goes a long way. You do not have to grow a gardenful to have a hearty supply. Especially if you know how to harvest them and let them regrow. That’s up next.
How to Cut Microgreens So They Keep Growing
We’re going to talk about growing them, but first, let’s talk about how you get from your first batch to your second batch of microgreens.
- Timing: You want to wait until you find the first set of “true leaves” on your sprouts. This happens about 14 to 21 days after the planting. You’ll see the cotyledon leaves pop out first, as a set of two, after about 14 days. In the next week, you’ll spot the next set of leaves. The true leaves. This is when it’s time to harvest.
- Supplies: Clean, sharp scissors and something to collect the greens in.
- Where to snip: Near the base of the seedlings, right above the soil line. Don’t pull up the soil. You want the seed of the microgreen to remain in place.
Simply support the delicate microgreens with one hand and carefully snip just at the soil line. Gently place the harvested greens in a clean bowl or strainer.
Cleaning Your Freshly Harvested Microgreens
Now that you’ve got your delicious microgreens make sure they are clean and safe to eat. Be sure to remove any of the growing medium from the microgreens before eating or serving.
- Gently rinse the greens and set on a clean paper towel to drain.
- If you are storing the greens, make sure they are dry before putting them into a plastic container. They will remain fresh for about a week if free of moisture and sealed tight.
- If you are serving them right away, a little clean water on the microgreens won’t hurt anything.
Caring for Microgreen Plants After Harvest
Once you’ve harvested the tops of the microgreens and left the seeds and soil in place, it’s time to resume taking care of your plants, just as you did before. Those same seeds will just produce new shoots that you can harvest again in another couple of weeks.
How do you care for microgreens in the first place? I’m glad you asked!
Growing Your Own Microgreens
These delicious tiny morsels make amazing additions to a variety of dishes- whether it be a savory dish or mixed into a fruity smoothie for an extra punch of nutrients.
Growing microgreens requires a good deal of attentiveness, similar to gardening almost anything. Here are some facts, tips, and benefits of growing your own.
- Indoor-friendly: One awesome element is that you can grow them inside. It does not have to be seasonal, nor do you have to trek outside to deal with them. This is the perfect gardening project for any urban green thumb.
- Minimal watering needs: After scattering a generous handful of seeds over shallow soil or soilless seed-growing medium, all it really takes is several misting sessions a day. As mentioned, these are not vegetables that you can just water every time you happen to remember you have them.
- Temperature and sunlight: They need indirect sunlight and a moderate temperature of 60-70° F to thrive. This must be carefully maintained. Too hot and too sunny means your microgreens will scorch. Too wet – will be a breeding ground for pests and diseases you don’t want.
- They need you. They do require consistent, attentive care. The turnaround time of the first batch ranges from two weeks to a month, depending on what type you choose to grow.
And while there is a limited range of those that can regrow, some just aren’t predictable enough to grow en masse. Some careful, avid gardeners who are growing just for their personal use have had success with other microgreens. So, there is still room for experimentation.
So, just because no one has tried to regrow, say, sage or fennel microgreens, does not mean it cannot happen with some trial and error. So, if you are in the mood for a low risk and potentially tasty experiment, look no further and get to growing!
Why Grow Microgreens at Home?
Microgreens have become increasingly popular in the last decade. Their health benefits are more widely known, they’ve become more accessible, and more of us are growing them at home.
Many people have really adopted a love for the amazing amount of flavor and nutrients packed into such a low calorie, no-fuss package.
If you go to purchase these at a restaurant or local supermarket, you will spend a pretty penny. Microgreens do grow quickly, but there really are no huge microgreen crop farms or huge agricultural conglomerates shipping these out in massive batches. Instead, they tend to be produced on small specialty farms, which gets expensive for the consumer.
Huge microgreen farms would be extremely hard to sustain, as some variations of these mini-marvels can be ready to eat in less than a week’s time. Between the need for constant care and the fast production speed, farming these little guys would be costly in both labor and quick shipping.
While low maintenance for the average Joe, growing a batch or two on his windowsill, mass production could be complex with these guys.
Health Boosts of Your Own Microgreen Crop
Growing microgreens at home is super cost-effective and can be a great substitute for a lot of supplements and vitamins. What a double whammy when it comes to saving money!
The nutritional content is super dense, and while it varies per chosen variety, there are some consistencies across the board. No matter which kind you choose, you can always get a lofty supply of antioxidants, potassium, zinc, copper, iron, and magnesium.
In some cases, because they are so little, the content of nutrients is denser than the nutrients in the same plants when they are fully grown. It is a lot easier to eat a handful of microgreens than it is to each an entire bushel of kale, so if you are looking for an easy way to up your nutritional game, this is definitely your answer.
Pro Tips for Growing Your Own Microgreens
We have discussed the basics of growing microgreens. But, if you would like to avoid any novice mishaps in your first batches, look no further.
Proper drainage and irrigation are key.
Since you have to water them so much, it is easy for water to collect and stand, ultimately drowning the seedlings. While you do want to keep them moist, having them sit in puddles of water is not ideal. Experts encourage micro-gardeners to get a mesh bottom tray for easy drainage without the hassle.
Avoid fungus.
While microgreens love humidity and need constant watering, one risk factor that comes with that territory is fungus. Avoiding fungus really happens before you have even begun growing them. Keeping an even seed spread from the get-go is really helpful, so water cannot collect around clumps of seed and plant fibers.
Get Growing and Regrowing Your Microgreens
As we have discovered, some variations of nutrient-dense, tasty microgreens regrow after the initial harvest, meaning a lot more bang for your buck. That may even make them more deserving of the attention they require. But who wouldn’t trade a little bit of their precious time for all of the benefits of these hip greens?
Next time you are out and about, grab your favorite organic vegetable seeds and start growing! With the proper equipment and a little bit of extra TLC, you can be your neighborhood’s microgreen go-to in just a few weeks!