Micro greens are small shoots of edible plants, such as micro green kale, carrots, mixed salad, radish, peas, the list is endless depending on your preferred taste. Sometimes I grow four different micros at one time. WE eat through these faster than rabbits. The difference between micro-greens and sprouts is that Micro Greens grow in soil and sprouts in water away from light. M. G’s are planted in soil or a soil substitute such as felt or rock wool. M. G.’s are harvested by snipping the stem just above the central stem above the soil. The seedlings will only have two small flat leaves (called cotyledon leaves) and then they will grow their first set of true leaves in which I clip just below the true leaves. I get about three cutting with peas, not with kale, lettuce etc. All my greens have been mighty hearty, growing two to three inches with in less than two weeks.

Micro Greens are nutrient power houses and delicious in salads, soups, top your pizza and especially good in sandwiches. They are incredibly easy to grow and within two weeks you are harvesting. I use the soil method as I use my home grown compost material with great results. Simply fill a container with soil, water a little and pack the soil down a bit. Make sure you use a container with no drain holes. Now your soil is moist not soggy. I use a 10 X 10 inch plastic grow container I purchased from True-Leaf Market. I evenly sprinkle 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons of micro seeds on the top of the soil and gently press them into the soil. The soil should not cover the seeds , you want the seed to nestle into the soil. Spritz gently with water and cover with another grow container so your seeds can germinate in the dark. I then spritz them twice a day and cover. This takes about 4 days. When the micro greens begin to sprout I then remove the cover and place them under a grow light. Some say you dont need a grow light in the summer, I prefer the combination of grow light and natural light with great results. You can also place them in a sunny window or patio. Remember once the first set of leaves have reached 2 to 3 inches you are ready to harvest.

I especially like True-Leaf Market seeds and products. Their prices are reasonable and high quality seeds and products. They will answer questions and have info tutorials. Trueleafmarket.com

So find a container, even a plastic yogurt container will get you started, fill with potting soil water a little , sprinkle some seeds and spritz with a little water twice a day, dont forget to cover until the sprouts begin to show themselves, its that easy and yummy.

CHEERS FROM JUST AROUND THE BEND

JEFF AND LIZ