Microgreens can be grown on a windowsill
Q. I would love to grow something green during the winter months. What can I do to meet my gardening needs?
A. If you're pining for something green to grow, boy, have I got a solution for you! Microgreens, a close cousin to sprouts, are like a toddler plant. They are somewhere between the infant sprout and the preschooler "baby green" stage, which are readily found in most salad sections of supermarkets.
It is definitely more budget friendly to grow your own microgreens versus purchasing them at the store. The process of growing them is very labor intensive, which drives up the cost. They also have a short shelf life.
Many crops can be grown as microgreens. Some examples are lettuce, chard, spinach, kale and arugula. Beets, radishes, celery, basil and dill are also tasty as microgreens. The good news is microgreens can be grown at home without a lot of costly equipment. All you need is a shallow tray with drainage holes, soil mix, your favorite seeds, water and a sunny window.
Start with a shallow tray and use standard potting soil. Fill the tray with one inch of soil mix. Plant the seeds in a single layer very close together but not touching. An eighth of an inch for small seeds to a quarter of an inch for larger seeds is a good distance. Water the seeds, being careful not to wash them away. A spray bottle using a gentle spray is a good tool to use to prevent washing the seeds out of place. Remember not to overwater. Place your planted tray in a sunny spot and water as needed. You may cover the tray with a plastic cover to conserve moisture, but be careful because direct sun through a cover may trap enough heat to kill the emerging seedlings.
Within about five days the first microgreens should be ready to harvest. Sample them at various degrees of maturity to decide what you like because as they age their flavor may change. Cut them off either individually or in clumps at the base of the plant. Harvest daily until no new seedlings emerge. Rinse well in cool water. Use your microgreens in salads or as a salad itself. They can also be used in dressings, pastas, omelets and soups. Use your imagination. Enjoy!
- Terri Passolt
• Provided by Master Gardeners through the Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines, and University of Illinois Extension, North Cook Branch Office, Arlington Heights. Call (847) 298-3502 on Wednesdays or email northcookmg@gmail.com. Visit web.extension.illinois.edu/mg.