As one of nature ’s premier superfoods , microgreens are easy to propagate and have an extremely myopic turnaround sentence . In fact , they ’re second only to sprouts as the fastest growing food crop : Some varieties are ready for harvest home in as small as seven to 12 day .
Unlike most crops , you’re able to also turn microgreens almost anywhere , even in cold climate . Because they take up so footling space , it ’s profitable to grow themindoorswhen weather conditions are n’t conducive to out-of-door growth . Thus , small - ordered series commercial-grade growers can turn a profit from 20 - plus harvests of microgreens in year - rung operations .
Growing The Green
Microgreens are older than sprouts , but young than babe greens and much younger than adult plants . They ’re tender and soft , but still compact a muscular , delicious and extremely alimentary slug . effect from a 2012 USDA study conducted by researcher Gene Lester in conjunction with the University of Maryland , College Park show that depart from almost all microgreen variety had four to six times more nutrient than the mature leaf of the same flora .
Microgreens can also be grown from almost any type of comestible plant you ’d usually grow to adulthood , so there ’s a wide raiment of textures and flavors . And , despite being called “ greens , ” there are also wonderful reds , yellows and purples that allow for a kickshaw for the eyes as well as the tasting buds .
Microgreens are easy to incorporate into your diet , which is not bad word for small - musical scale farmers , because they ’re also one of the gentle crop to grow . This makes them an ideal choice when you want to radiate your operation with a craw that can potentially provide steady income .
Microgreen Varieties That Work
There ’s a long inclination of microgreen varieties , but some fare better than others for belittled - scale commercial growers . Kara Wood , owner and operator of Bloom Microgreens in Los Osos , California , suggests maintain it simple when you start out by growing miscellany with exchangeable sprouting rates . Here are some estimate :
“ In the rootage , it ’s a proficient idea to embed items that spud at about the same rate , such as Indian mustard , broccoli , dough , kale , radishes and rocket salad , so they ’re all quick to glean about the same clip , ” Wood says . “ When you ’re ready to branch out , try basil , common beet , peas , sunflowers and herbs , which are a morsel fussier and have longer germination and grow time . They need to be implant on a different schedule to harvest at the same time as your fast germinators and growers . ”
woods advises interested growers to choose wisely , too . “ The key is to stay away from some of the more expensive seeds , because some speciality varieties can run up to $ 100 per pound , ” she aver .
Whichever variety you opt , maximize your blank space is vital to make your speculation profitable . She also propose using racks , shelves and tiered tables to provide more square footage in your greenhouse .
Soil Requirements
arm with your initial change , the develop process start with gamy - quality , alimental - dense soil . Althoughhydroponicgrowers have successfully produced microgreens without using grease , most small - scale growers get growing in soil easier . Due to the short growth cycle , using dirt also means you should n’t need plant food or chemicals , which tote up further appeal to organic consumers .
For all of her 30 - plus microgreen variety , Wood use only one type of soil . “ I use a top - of - the - personal line of credit sprouting mix with peat moss , perlite , vermiculite and a wetting agentive role , ” she says . “ I choose a center ground on perlite coarseness and size , which works perfect in my country and climate year - orotund . ” Some raiser do use a potpourri of mixes , changing up the coarseness of the peat moss or the amount of perlite .
Some commercial growers found that using potting soils containing ocean - based nutrient , such as kelp and crab meal , resulted in higher yield . Wood also employ new soil for each tray of microgreens , but some growers reuse their stain after run it through their worm bin , which has the append welfare of worm castings in the mix .
Harvesting Tips
Microgreens should be harvested during the cotyledon growth phase , which is the time after a plant ’s first true leaves seem . harvest home is typically the most labor - intensive part of grow these tiny super acid , which entails nip off off the leaves and halt at territory level and leave the semen and origin .
“ Use clean , sharp pair of scissors and clean hands , ” Wood says . Those sharp scissors will prevent jail cell harm and give the harvested Green River a long shelf life , while dim scissors can cause deterioration or discoloration at the stems ’ bottoms .
“ It ’s also important the ware is dry to bear upon but well - hydrous when you reap , ” Ellen Price Wood says . “ If greens are wilted at all , irrigate them and give them fourth dimension to perk up . Then , package them with either a coffee filter or theme towel to keep all moisture from the product . ”
Microgreens are extremely perishable and need to be washed and cooled quickly following harvest . Wood weighs her microgreens while harvesting , then packages them in clear , pliant grapple containers , but you could also use solid food - level resealable plastic suitcase . Wood immediately labels and deposit each container in refrigerators kept inside her glasshouse .
Marketing Musts
While microgreens offer the convenience of little grow time , they ’re also hampered by a short ledge life . To profit the most from each harvest , commercial cultivator must cultivate regular customers and basically presale the entire craw each cycle .
woodwind instrument pick out to custom - grow greens for her client . “ Everything in my nursery is sold prior to even planting , ” she says . “ I extremely advocate this style of business poser as dealing with a seven- to 10 - day shelf life is not conducive to hebdomadal sales . You need to know what and how much to originate in rise . ”
As with any novel crop , begin small and learn more about the various works varieties and your local markets . The best customers are repeat customers . Since becoming a hot trend in the culinary humankind , microgreens invoke to chefs , especially in upscale eating house . These chefs , along with gourmet grocer and health - food store , make ideal clients and where Wood discovered a bulk of her regular clientele .
As interest in buy bracing , locally grown food carry on to grow , minuscule farmers may discover a lucrative niche with microgreens and a bully way to branch out their farming operations . “ If you keep your overhead down in the mouth , you could control this business with a 60 - percentage profit gross profit margin , ” Natalie Wood says .
This clause originally run in the March / April 2017 issue ofHobby Farms .
