MicrogreensAGuidetoGrowingNutrient-PackedGreens
EricFranksandJasmineRichardsonPhotographsbyMargauxGibbons
MICROGREENSAGUIDETOGROWINGNUTRIENT-PACKEDGREENSDIGITALEDITIONV1.0
Text©2009EricFranksandJasmineRichardsonPhotographs©2009MargauxGibbonsexceptthefollowing:SaraRemington,photosoftraysofmicrogreensinForeword;inFindingaGoodSpottoGrowsectionandatendofHow-to-Growchapter;firsttwophotosinIndividualcrops
chapter;andphotoofErikFranksandJasmineRichardsoninRecipeschapter.
JasmineRichardson,photoofFourSeasonsFarminHealthandMicrogreenschapterCraigLovell,photoofbroccolifieldinHealthandMicrogreenschapter
ArielWilliams,sketchesofcompostreceptacleandtumblerinCompostingchapterAllrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedbyanymeanswhatsoeverwithoutwritten
permissionfromthepublisher,exceptbriefportionsquotedforpurposeofreview.
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Orders:1.800.835.4993www.gibbs-smith.com
LibraryofCongressCatalog-in-PublishingDataISBN-13:978-1-4236-0364-1
ISBN-10:1-4236-0364-81.Greens,Edible.2.Cookery(Greens)I.Richardson,Jasmine.II.Title.
SB339.F732009635’.5—dc22
2008030670
Toourson,Haven
Heisthelightofourlivesandrepresentsabrightfutureforthisworld.Hecameintoourliveswhilewritingthisbookandhasexpandedourhearts
beyondbelief.
Wealsodedicatethisbooktoallofthefarmersthathavetakenthetimetosharetheirwisdomsothatthecraftoftraditionalfarmingcancontinueandflourish.ThankyoutoTimandFabienneRapsey,EliotColeman,BarbaraDamrosch,SiriBeringer,PaulBirdsall,andalloftheotherfine
peoplewhohavehelpedusalongtheway.
AspecialthankstoJenniferGillespiefortheguidanceandinspirationshehasgivenusovertheyears.
Lastly,wehavenewfoundgratitudeforourparentsaswestartourjourneywithHaven.Ourliveswouldnotbepossiblewithouttheloveand
supportthattheyhavegivenus.
Thankyou.
MicrogreensTableofContents
Foreword
Introduction
WhyMicrogreens?
HealthandMicrogreens
Materials
How-to-GrowTen-StepProcess
IndividualCrops
Composting
Recipes:FoodasArt
Troubleshooting
RecommendedBooksandResources
Sources
MetricConversionChart
ForewordOvertheyears,quiteanumberofyoungpeoplehaveworkedwithushereonthefarm.Theyarrivebright-eyedandeagertolearnmoreaboutfarmingandwetrynottodisappointthatexpectation.Overthecourseofallfourseasons,theyhelpustoproduceandmarketsome35differentvegetablecropsplusnumerousfruits,herbs,andflowers.Whentheydepartafterayearortwo,theyscattertothecornersoftheearth,sometopursuenew,untriedinterests,butmanytocarveoutacareerinthebroadworldoffoodproduction.JasmineandEricaremembersofthelatterbrigade.Theyweregreatworkersandbecamestaunchfriends.Itgivesusgreatjoytoseethemtakingtheirplaceintheever-growingranksofsmall-scale,earth-friendlyfarmers.Andweheartilycelebratetheirskillandexpertiseintheproductionofthatmostexquisiteofsaladingredients—microgreens.
Fromthemomentaseedsprouts,newlifeandnewlife-givingforcesarebeingcreated.Thequalityofthesoilandthecareofthegroweraretheguidinghands.Ateverystepinitslifecycletheplantoffersdifferentculinarypossibilitiestotheimaginativecook,possibilitiesthatarebecomingincreasinglyrecognizedinkitchenseverywhere.Ittakesagreatdealofknowledgeofsoilsandirrigationandattentiontodetailtonurturethoseseedstothedesiredstageofgrowth,andthenmuchcarefulthinkingandplanningtoharvest,pack,andmarketthematasufficientprofittomakeyourlivingfarming.ThreecheerstoJasmineandEricfortheirsuccessinpursuingthisgoalandthenpresentingitsoclearlyandthoroughlyinthisbookforotherstofollow,bothfarmersandhomegardenersalike.Bonappetit!
—EliotColemanandBarbaraDamroschHarborside,Maine
IntroductionWemetonasmallfarminruralPennsylvania.Linkedbyourloveforfoodandsmall-scaleagriculture,wetraveledthecountryworkingondiversifiedfarms.Westudiedmarketgardening,farmingwithdrafthorses,sustainableanimalhusbandry,andintensivefour-seasongreenhouseproduction.
Duringourtravelsandtraining,welearnedaboutmicrogreens.WebegangrowingtheminthedeadofwinteratBarbaraDamrosch’sandEliotColeman’sFourSeasonFarmonthetipofCapeRosierinHarborside,Maine.Oneofthephilosophiesbehindtheirfarmwas“farmingonthebacksideofthecalendar,”sowesuitedupinourlongjohnsforalongMainewinter.Whilewefocusedonthewintersaladproduction,wealsoexperimentedwithgrowingmicrogreensassomethingnewanddifferenttoofferourlocalchefs.Astheseasonprogressedandspringsetin,theresponsibilitiesofthefarmtookusawayfromthisniche.Lookingback,itseemedasifthisshortstintwouldbetheonlytimethatwewouldgrowtheselittlebeauties.
Afterweleftthefarm,wepeeledoffthelongjohnsandmovedtocoastalCalifornia,beginningthesearchforlandtostartourownfarm.WemovedtoBigSur,wherewehadfamilyandfriends,andalthoughbeautiful,itisnottheidealplacetofindfarmland.However,itservedastheperfecthomebaseforstartingourhunt.Wefoundaplacetorentonthesideofamountainwithlessthanonehundredthofanacreofflatground.Atfirstsightitdidn’tlooklikeagoodplacetogrowanything,andbynowwehadbeenawayfromlifeonthefarmforseveralmonths.Wemissedgettingourhandsintheearth.Rememberingthesmallamountofspacemicrogreensrequired,westartedafewtraysforourselvesonourporch.
Slowly,webeganbringingsamplesdowntolocalrestaurants.Asdemandgrew,wegrewwithit.Ourporchquicklywentfromaplacetositandrelaxinthesuntoagreens-growinghaven.Suddenly,wefoundourselvesspendingallofourfreetimehoningandrefiningournewcraft.Weexperimentedwithdifferentvarieties,exploringthenever-endingvariationinflavorandappearancewhilecateringtothelocalchefs.Wedidmanytrialsonsoil,seed,andwaterpHtolearnwhateachcroppreferred.Webecamefullyimmersedintheworldofmicrogreens.
Struckbytheirnutritionalpotency,westartedthinkingofthedifferencetheycouldmakenotonlyinourcommunitybutinothersaswell.Welovedthebeautytheybroughttothedishescreatedbychefsbutwishedwecouldgetthesegreenstothebroaderpublicandinlargerquantities.Withoutrequiringalargefinancialinvestmentorsubstantialpreviousknowledge,microgreenscouldprovideastepping-stoneonthepathtonutritionalindependence.Communitiesaroundtheworldcouldeasilynourishthemselveswhileenrichingthelandaroundthem,addingfertilityforfuturegenerations.
Aswesharedthehealthbenefitsofmicrogreensandtheiraccessibilitywithothers,weweresurprisedbytheuniversalexcitementeveryonefeltaboutthem.
Growingtheirownmicrogreensseemedlikesomethingtheycouldeasilydoandevenenjoy.Weworkedonsimplifyingoursystemsothatwecouldsharethisknowledgewithevenmorepeople.
Acommonlimitationmanyfacewhentryingtogrowtheirownfoodisthecommitmentitrequirestotakeonagarden.Justasspringandsummerarethebusiesttimesofthegarden,theyarealsobusytimesinpeople’slives.Weareoftentakenawayfromourhomesduringthesummermonths,leavingawell-intentionedgardenasaburdenorforgottenresponsibility.Homegardensareoftenfilledwithbeautifulproducewithnoonebutthebirdstoeatit.Growingyourownmicrogreensallowsyoutostopandstartwheneveryouwant,leavingyouwithlessofacommitmenttoattendto—thusallowingmoretime,flexibility,andeaseforyourlife.
ThepurposeofMicrogreensistogiveyouanavenuetothejoyofgrowingandeatingyourownfood.Wecanimagineatimewheneveryrooftop,windowsill,andsmallyardisalivewithtraysofmicrogreens.Evenpeopledrivingcampersacrossthecountrycouldbegrowingatrayintheirwindowwhilegerminatinganotherunderthebed.Youwillfindthatgrowinggreensissurprisinglyeasy.Wewillshowyoueachofthesimplestepsittakestogrow,harvest,andprepareyourownmicrogreens.
WhyMicrogreens?Overthepasttwentyyears,interestinlocal,fresh,andorganicfoodhasbeenontherise.Therehasbeenarejuvenationofthesmallfarmandarenewalofappreciationforfreshvegetables.Therevivalofthefarmersmarket,theinceptionoftheCSAmodel(CommunitySupportedAgriculture),andtheoverallmovementtowardsclean,wholefoodshasbeenextraordinaryandiscontinuingtogrow.Peoplearerediscoveringtheimportanceoffresh,locallygrownfood.Thismovementhasshownthatitisnotjustfortheaffluent,notonlyforthoseinterestedinfarming,butforthewholeofthepopulationandfuturegenerations.
Withtheirabilitytoaccentuateanddeepenourconnectionwithnature,webelievethatmicrogreenshaveaplaceinthegrowinginterestoffood.Harvestedveryearlyintheirlives,microgreensaretender,delicate,andhighlyflavorful.Theyhaveacrispyetmelt-in-your-mouthtextureandavarietyofflavorsthatswingfromsweettosavorytoearthytospicy.Throwintheexuberantbeautyoftheirreds,yellows,greens,andpurplesandyouhaveasaladthatispuredelight.Withallofthevariedtastesandtextures,integratingmicrogreensintoyourdietcanbefunandeasy.Embarkingonthisventureofgrowingandeatingyourowngreensdoesn’trequirethatyouchangeyourdiet.Packedwithgreattaste,theselittlegreenscanbeaddedtojustaboutanything.Eatenaloneasasaladoraddedtosoups,entrées,sandwiches,burgers,oranythingelseyoucanimagine,microgreenswillenhanceyourfoodandyourlife.
Overthepastfewyears,microgreenshavegainedpopularityasahotnewculinarytrend.FromNewYorktoLosAngeles,chefshavebeenenjoyingthemasawaytocreativelyaccentuateplatesoffoodandaddnewdepthsofflavortotheirdishes.Whilethistrendhasgrown,aselectfewgrowershavetakenadvantageofthisnichemarket.Eveninmetropolitanhubs,wherechefsareabletobuymostoftheirproducefromfarmersmarkets,muchofthemicrogreensmarkethasbeendominatedbymailorder.
FortheCommercialGrower
Growingmicrogreensisawayofexpandingthescopeofyouroperationtoincludethislargelyuntappedmarket.Wehavenevershownourgreenstoachefwhowasn’texcitedaboutusingthem.Thisexcitementisfilteringintotheconsumermarketaswell,makingdemandevenstronger.Asmoreandmorepeopleareexperiencingthequalitativedifferenceoffreshlocalproduce,yourmicrogreenswillselleasily.Offeringyourcommunitythisyear-roundresourcecanbeagreatwaytodiversifyyouroperation.Anotherbenefitthesegreensofferistheirabilitytobringinquickfarmincomewhilealsocontributingtoitsfertility.
Onmanyfarmsitoftentakesatleastacoupleofmonthstostartrecoupingthemoneyinvestedinpottingsoilsandcomposts.Whilethesmallfarm’sprimaryfocusisnotusuallyonmakingabuckbutratherthehealthofthelandanditssurroundingcommunity,steadyincomeisessentialtomeetingtheneedsofthefarmandfarmfamily.
Microgreensrequireminimalinitialinvestment,withmostvarietiescostinglessthantwodollarspertrayforseedandsoil.Oncesown,theycanstartgeneratingincomeinjusttwotothreeweeks.
Afteryourtrayshavebeenharvested,compostingyoursoilnowfilledwithstemandrootmatterisalsoquickandeasy.Intheheatofthesummerthissoilcanbeamended,composted,andreadytouseinunderamonth.Wehavemadeaspecialwormbinforthispurpose.Asourtraysarecomposted,alargeamountofearthwormcastingsareaddedtothesoil,enrichingitevenfurther.Atthispoint
itcanbeusedtostartyourseedlings,incorporatedintoyourfields,orevenusedtogrowmoremicrogreens.Withalloftheiradvantages,youcanseewhymicrogreenscanenhancethesmallfarm.
FortheHomeGrower
Growingyourownmicrogreensgivesyouaccesstofresh,livinggreensallyearlongwithminimalinvestmentofmoney,time,orpreviousknowledge.Thelittleamountofspacetheyrequiremakesthemaperfectfitforbothurbanandsuburbanfamilieswhodonothaveroomforagarden.Suddenlywearegiventheopportunitytocreatemasterpiecesinourownkitchens.Youwillseehowmicrogreenscantranscendthegourmetworldandbecomepartofeverydaylife.Theygiveusanopportunitytoslowdownandappreciatethebeautyoffood.Takingthetimetoexperienceourfoodinthiswayisawonderfulgifttogivetoourselvesandourfamilies.
Asidefromtheirextraordinarytasteandaestheticappeal,microgreensarealsoextremelynutritious.Theabilitytoharvestandeatthemwithinminutesgivesyouaccesstotheirmostnutritionallyrichstate.Theygiveusastrongdoseofdigestiblevitamins,minerals,andphytonutrients.Whileyourtastebudsenjoytheirintenseflavor,yourbodywillreapthebenefitsoftheirconcentratednutrients.
It’sararethingtoeatsomethingsogoodthatyougetgoosebumpsfromhowdeliciousandaliveitis.Wehavebeengrowingandeatingmicrogreensaladsforyearsandstilltheverythoughtoffixingoneforourselvesputssmilesonourfaces.Wearealwaysamazedathowmuchwecaneatinonesitting;it’scomparabletodrinkingacoldglassofwateronahotsummer’sday.Yourbodyisincompleteagreementwithyourmindthatthis,rightnow,isthegreatestthingyoucouldgiveyourself.
ChildrenandMicrogreens
Growingmicrogreensisnotjustforadults!Itcanbeafunandeasywayforchildrentoconnectwithnature.Microgreensprovideanengagingprojectathomeoratschool,teachingaboutwherefoodcomesfromandhowtogrowit.Childrenhavemoreofaconnectiontothingsiftheyareapartoftheprocess.Seedsbecometheirseedsthatgrowintotheirgreens.Anidentityandconnectionisformedwiththeplantsandtheirprogress.MollyKatzendescribedthisphenomenonwhenshetalkedabouttakingagroupofschoolkidsto“ThePizzaFarm”innorthernCalifornia.Thekidsspenttimewatchingandlearningaboutallofthecomponentsthatmadeuppizza;thecowsthatproducedthemilkthatmadethecheese,thefieldsthatgrewthewheatthattheygroundintoflourtomakethecrust,andthegrowingherbsandtomatoesthatmadeupthesauce.Then,theymadetheirownpizza.Shedescribedtheanticipationastheywaitedfortheirpizzatofinishbaking;eachonecheckingeverycoupleofminutestoseeiftheirmasterpieceswerecomplete.Thisexcitementdoesn’thappenwhileourlittleoneswaitforfrozenpizzatoappearontheirplates.Itisagifttogiveourchildrenanawarenessoftheirfoodanditsprocess.Especiallyinsuburbanandurbanareas,manychildrentodayaren’tquitesurewherefoodcomesfrom.Ifonehasneverseenacarrotharvestedoutoftheearth,howwouldyouknowthatiswhereitcamefrom?Itcouldbejustaslogicalthatacarrotcomesfromacanorsimplyfromthestore.Startingmicrogreenswithyourchildrengivesthemachancetogettheirhandsintheearth.Itgivesthemtheopportunitytodiscoverwhatelseisgrowinginthesoil.Itbecomesaliveintheirminds,astheywatchwormsbreakdowntheirkitchenscrapsorseedsspringtolife.Youmayevenfindyourpickyeatersaskingformoregreensontheirdinnerplates!Oncethislivingworldhasbeenbroached,thepossibilitiesareendless.Fromafewsimpleseedscomebrand-neweyesfornature.
Microgreensvs.Sproutsvs.BabyGreens
Sprouts,microgreens,andbabygreensareallstagesinaplant’sdevelopment.Eachhasidentifyingcharacteristicsandvaryingnutritionalvalues.Asproutisthefirststageofaseed’sdevelopment.Theword“sprout”isactuallysynonymouswithgermination.Grownindifferenttypesofcontainers,theseseedsarekeptmoistandatroomtemperatureuntiltheygerminate.Insteadof
allowingthemtogrowinamediumandestablishintoaplant,sproutsareconsumedrightaftertheygerminate.Oftenslightlyopaqueandyieldingacrunchytexture,theyhavebecomeincreasinglypopularfortheirnutritionalvalue.
Whengrowninamedium(soilorotherwise),thesecondstageofaseed’sdevelopmentinvolvestheestablishmentofitsrootsandtheopeningofitsfirstleaves,calledcotyledons.Greensharvestedatthisstagearecalledmicrogreens.Ifmicrogreensareallowedtocontinuetogrow,theyputontheirnextsetofleaves,called“trueleaves.”Trueleavesaretheleavesofaplantthatdistinguishitfromanotherplant.Whilemanybrassicas(cabbage,broccoli,arugula,etc.)allhaveverysimilarheart-shapedcotyledons,whentheirtrueleavesdeveloptheylookquitedifferentandareeasilydistinguishedfromeachother.Thesegreensareharvestedintheirinfancy,andareonlyallowedtogrowinthesoilforaweekortwo.Theyhaveallofthehealthbenefitsofsproutswiththeaddedadvantageoftracemineralsbroughtupfromthesoiltheyaregrownin.Atthisstagetheirtexture,appearance,andflavoraremuchmorelikeasaladgreenthanacrunchysprout.Iftheseedwereallowedtocontinuetogrowpastthetrueleafstageand,givenenoughspaceandtime,itwouldeventuallyreachthebabygreenstage.Babygreensaretenderleavesthatarepopularinsaladmixesoftencalledmesclunorspringmix.Theyaremoreflavorfulandtenderthanleavesfromafull-grownheadoflettucebutlosesomeoftheintensityofflavorandnutritionalvaluethattheyhadatthemicrogreenstage.
Sprouts,microarugula,babyarugula
HealthandMicrogreensAshumanbeings,ourrootslieinthesoil.Althoughmanyofushaveforgottenthisimportantlinkoverthepastfewgenerations,ourconnectionwithnatureissoancientandfundamentalthatitcannotbecompletelydisregarded.Ifwhileweareeatingwepauseforamoment,wecaneasilyfollowourfoodbacktotheplants,theanimals,thesoil,andeventhewind,rain,andsun.Allofthesethingshavetheirconfluenceonthefarm.Thereisnoavoidingthatthehealthoftheearthandthehealthofhumanbeingsareintimatelytied.
Traditionalagriculturehasbeenpracticedforthousandsofyearsallovertheworld.Smallscaleandworkedbyhand,thesefarmsarehighlydiversifiedandskillfullytended.Diversifiedfarmersmakethecraftofsoilstewardshiptheirprimarywork,farminginawaythatactuallycontributestoandenrichesthelifeofthefarmandeverythingandeveryonethatinteractswithit.Theanimalsraisedherearealertwithhealthycoats.Thesoilisrich,dark,andsweetsmelling.Theplantsarelushandgrowvigorouslywithlittlesignofstress.Thefoodgrownherecontributesbalanceandhealthtoitssurroundingcommunity.Eventheaveragepasserbycannoticethat“inexplicablesomething”thatpermeatestheairaroundsuchafarm.
Thelargerafarmisinscaleandthelargeritsindustrialintentions,thefurtheritdivergesfromthisdiversifiedsmall-farmmodel.Overthelastcenturytherehasbeenagradualshiftinthescaleandfocusofthefarminthiscountry.BytheendofWorldWarII,itwascommonlythoughtthatmodern,mechanizedindustrialsystemsweresuperiortosmall-scaletraditionalmethods.Alongwithindustrializationcamethebeginningofchemicalfertilizeruseinagriculture.Afterthewar,manyofthecompoundsthatwereusedintheproductionofbombsweretransformedintoagriculturalfertilizers.
Duringthistime,beliefthatfarmsneededtobelargetotakeadvantageofthefactoryphilosophytookhold.Manyfarmersmovedoffthelandandintothecitiestojointhegrowingtrendofindustry.Thefamilyfarmslowlydisappearedasbigagri-businesstookhold.
Overthelastcentury,theUnitedStateshaslostover4.5millionfarms.AccordingtotheU.S.censusbureau,thepercentageofpeoplelivingandworkingonfarmshasgonefrom40percenttolessthan1percent.
Alongwiththisrestructuringofournation’sfarmscametheinevitablecompromiseofthequalityofproduceavailable.InPaulBergner’sbook,TheHealingPowerofMinerals,SpecialNutrientsandTraceElements,USDAstatisticsareincludedthatillustratethisdecline.Thesefiguresshowmineralandvitamincontentdeclininginseveraltypesoffruitsandvegetablesbetweentheyears1962and1992.Amongothers,calciumdroppedbyalmost30percent,ironby32percent,andmagnesiumby21percent.
Producenutritionislimitedbythequalityofsoilitwasgrownin,howitwasharvested,itstreatmentafterharvest,andhowolditisonceitreachesyourfork.Togetasenseofhownutritiousmicrogreensare,wemustfirstlookathowthesevariablesaffectthenutritionalcontentofourproduce.
Smalldiversifiedfarm(EliotColemanandBarbaraDamrosch’sFourSeasonFarm,Harborside,ME)
Largescalemonoculture(broccoli,SalinasValley,CA)
HealthandSoil
Theinteractionsbetweenplantsandsoilaresovastandcomplexthatsomepeoplehavededicatedtheirentirelivestostudythem.Fromthesestudies,scientistsarereaffirmingwhatthetraditionalfarmerhasknownforthousandsofyears;diversityisoneofthekeystohealthysoilandthereforehealthyplantsandanimals.Croprotations,composts,soilamendments,sustainableanimalhusbandry,andthegrowingofawidevarietyofvegetablesallconvergeintotheexpandingdiversityandfertilityoftheland.Producegrowninfertilegroundisabletoacquireanabundanceofphytonutrients,minerals,andtraceelements.Afocusonthehealthofsoilbiologyleadstoinherentpestanddroughtresistance,creatingafarmthatisabletosustainlifeindefinitely.
Inconventionalagriculture,soilhasbecomemerelyamediumthatholdsourvegetablesuprightinsteadoftheliving,dynamicforcethatitshouldbe.Inthismodel,sustainablesoilmanagementisseenasin-efficientandinferior.Focus,instead,isputonlarge-scalesingle-cropproduction(monoculture)andbroad-spectrumchemicalfertilization.Insideofthissystem,thevastamountofsoil-enrichingtechniquesareignoredandreplacedwithcontinuousapplicationsofthreewater-solublefertilizers:nitrogen,phosphorus,andpotassium(N-P-K).
Biologicallifeinthesoilisgreatlyreduced,compromisingitshealthandintegrity.
Oncethisproblemhasbegunbelowthesurface,symptomsbegintoariseintheplantbodies.Suddenlytheplant’snaturalresistancetopests,fungus,anddiseasehasbeencompromised,leavingitopenandvulnerabletoattack.Thisproblemistreatedinconventionalagriculturewiththeapplicationofawiderangeofpesticidesandfungicides.Theresultsseemeffective.Fewerbugs,lessdisease,lessoveralldamagetotheplant.Tothenakedeye,thesoilstilllooksbrownandtheplantstilllooksgreen.Itseemslikeanefficient,effectivemethodofcontrollingtheseunwantedvariables.Unfortunately,asthesoilcontinuestobeignored,vegetablesaregivenheavierandheavierapplicationsofthesetoxicsubstances.Eventuallythechemicalshavetobesohazardousthatspecialsuitsandmasksneedtobeusedtoapplythem.Atthispoint,ifyouweretotakeacloserlookunderthesurface,youwouldnoticethelossofbiologicallifeandtheeventualdeathofthesoil.Onceallofthemicrobiallifehasbeenkilled,noamountofnitrogen,phosphorus,orpotassiumcanbringitback.Soilthatwasoncerichandfertilebecomesunsuitableforagriculture.Thesoilhasbecomesomethingtotreatratherthansomethingtobuildandstrengthen.Thisismirroredinthewaythatmodernmedicinecaresforthehumanbody.Muchtimeisspentaddressingapatient’ssymptomsratherthanlookingatthecause.Asvirusesaregettingstronger,soarepests.Wekeepincreasingthedosageonlytofindthattherootoftheproblemstillexistsandthesymptomsaregettingharderandhardertotreat.Somehavefoundamoreholisticapproach—lookingatthewholebody,thewholefarm,thewholeearth—tobethesolutionforbothhumanhealthandagriculture.Itisbecomingmoreandmoreofamainstreamideathathealthyfoodandanactivelifestylehelpwiththelongevityandhealthofhumans.
HealthandHarvesting
Howproduceistreatedduringharvestwillplayaroleinhowquicklyitstartslosingnutritionalvalue.Nomatterwhatthevegetable,assoonasaplantisharvesteditstartstodegrade.Themorethecellularstructureoftheplantisdamagedduringthisprocess,thefasterthelossofitsnutrients.Tokeepitsnutritionalintegrity,oneshouldputaslittlestressontheplantduringharvestas
possible.Vegetablesshouldbeindividuallyharvestedinthecoolestpartofthedayandquicklybroughtintorefrigeration.Youcanseewhyscaleissoimportanthere.Thelargerthefarm,thelessattentionispaidtoeachvegetableandtheidealharvestingcircumstancesitrequires.Qualityofproduceisoftensupersededbythevastquantitiesneededtobeharvested.Incontrast,thesmallfarmerisabletoskillfullyharvesteachvegetable,keepingasmuchofitsnutritionintactaspossible.
Aftervegetableshavebeenharvested,theygothroughthepackingandtransportationstage.Duringthisprocess,thetemperatureatwhichtheproduceisbeinghelddeterminesthespeedinwhichitlosesitsnutrients.EvidenceofthisisshownbyPennStateresearchersLukeLaBordeandSrilathaPandrangi.Theirtestingwasonthespeedofnutrientlossinspinachafterharvest.Itshowedthatthewarmerspinachisheld,thequickeritlosesitsnutritionalvalue.Theirresearchshowedthatevenwhenheldatasteady39degreesF(refrigerationtemperatures),mostofitsnutrientswerelostaftereightdays.
Basedonthisresearch,muchoftheproduceavailabletoushasalreadylostthemajorityofitsnutritionalvalue.Thisisespeciallytruewhenwearelookingatperishablegreens.EvenontheWestCoast,wheremuchofthecountry’sproduceisgrown,themajorityofthevegetablessoldinstoresarealreadyseveraldaysold.Whenyoulookattheextratimeittakestoshipalloverthecountry,youcanstartseeingwhylocalfoodissoimportant.Theaveragetimethatittakesourproducetogetfromthefieldsintoourhomeshasincreasedexponentiallyinthelastcenturyasourfarmshavebecomefewerandfartheraway.Notonlydoesthisaffectthenutritionalcontentoftheproduceavailabletousbutitalsohasasubstantialenvironmentalimpactwiththefossilfuelconsumptionitrequires.
NutritionalIndependenceandMicrogreens
Growingyourownmicrogreensgivesyouthechancetobringapieceofthesmallfarmintoyourownhome.Inessence,itgivesyouasliceofnutritionalindependence.Youcanhaveyear-roundaccesstofreshgreens,eveninthemiddleofwinter.Allofthefactorsthatcanlimitnutritionarewithinyourcontrol.Youareabletochooseasoilthatisfilledwithadiversityofingredients.Usinghigh-qualitysoilwillensureanabundanceofmineralsandtraceelementsareavailabletoyourgreens.Harvestingisonyourschedule.Youcanusesharpscissorsduringthecoolesthoursofthedaytokeepthenutritionintact.Youcanharvesttosuityourneedsandallowtherestofthetraytocontinuetogrow.The
packingandtransportationstageisvirtuallynonexistent,leavingyouwiththefreshest,mostnutrient-densegreensavailable.Youcantake“local”toawholenewlevel,providingyourselfandyourfamilywithmicrogreensallyearlongatthefractionofthepriceofgreensfromthestore.
Itcanbedifficult,overthecourseofanaverageweek,toconsumeawidevarietyofqualityvegetables.Duringthewintermonths,findingfreshlocalproducecanbeparticularlychallenging.Thishasledtothegrowingpopularityofsupplements.Peopleareverybusyandoftenreplacewhole-foodnutritionwithconvenientsubstitutes.Althoughmanybrandsofsupplementshaveincorporatedtechniquestotrytoretainpeaknutritionalvalue,nothingbeatsrealfood.Microgreenscombineconvenienceandquality.Theyprovidethequickandeasynourishmentweneedinourbusylives.Thehealthbenefitsofthesegreensdonotbeginandendwiththeirconsumption.Takingafewmomentsoutoftheweektoputyourhandsinthesoil,spreadsomeseed,andwatchyourgreensgrowcandeepenandenrichyourconnectionwithyourfoodandtheearth.Althoughoftenoverlooked,thehealthofourspiritmustalsobenourished.Beingapartofsomethingasfundamentalasthelifecycleofaplantgivesusthisopportunity.Wecanreconnectwithourheritageandbestewardsofthesoilinouronetrayofmicrogreens.Wecanslowdowntothespeedofplantsandenjoythesubtlenuancesofwater,air,andsunlightuntilwereturnagaintotherhythmofourlives.
CruciferousVegetablesandCancerPrevention
Therehavebeencountlessstudiesdoneshowingthelinkbetweencancerpreventionandtheconsumptionofcruciferousvegetables(i.e.,allbrassicas:broccoli,cabbage,arugula,etc.).Thecrystallinecompounds(indoles)foundincruciferousvegetableshavearangeofhealthbenefits.Studieshaveshownasignificantreductionofcasesoflung,breast,colon,ovarian,andbladdercancerinpeoplewhoeatadiethighinthesevegetables.Theycontainanestrogenstabilizer,diindolylmethane(DIM),whichisimportantforbothmenandwomen.Thebalancethatthiscompoundcreatesresultsingreaterresistancetocanceraswellastheencouragementofoverallhormonebalance.Cancergrowthcanbespurredbycertainestrogenmetabolitesactiveinthebody.DIMactsasadeactivator,stoppinggrowth.Therehasalsobeenextensiveresearchdoneontheeffectsofthephytonutrientsulfuraphane,whichisalsoabundantincruciferousvegetables.Thispowerfulphytonutrientaidsindetoxification,jump-startingtheliver’snaturaltendencytoflushthesystem.Unfortunately,itishardtoconsume
thequantitiesofcruciferousvegetablesneededtoreapthebenefits.Entermicrogreens.Studieshaveshownthatone-and-a-halfcupsoffull-grownbroccolihasthesameamountofthisphytonutrientasjustoneounceofbroccolifourdaysafterithasgerminated.Itisbelievedthattheyoungbroccolihastwentytofiftytimesasmuchsulfuraphaneasthefullygrown.Makesyouwanttoeatyourbrassicas,doesn’tit?
MaterialsGrowingmicrogreensrequiresonlyafewsupplies.Someofthesethingsyoumightalreadyhavearoundthehouse,whileotherswillbejustaminimalinvestment.
Trays
Duetotheshortperiodoftimemicrogreensspendintheircontainer,anyshallowreceptaclecanbeusedtogrowthem.Wefindthatstandard20x10-inchblackplastictraysworkwell.Thesetraysareoftenavailableatstoressellinggardeningsuppliesforaroundtwodollarspertray.Ifyouhavealocalnursery,youcouldchecktoseeiftheyhaveanytraysthatwouldotherwisebethrownaway.Especiallyinthespring,wehavefoundthatourlocalnurserygetssmallpacksofannualflowersheldinthesamesizetraysandhavenouseforthem.Wehavehundredsoftraysthatwouldhavebeenanaddedinvestmentifwehadn’tfoundthisniche.Theyarestackable,lightweight,reusable,andfairlydurable.Evenwhentheystartcrackingtheycanbereusedbystackingtwotogether.
Woodisanotheralternative.Ifyoufeelinspiredtomakeyourcontainersoutofwood,theywouldworkjustaswell.Youcouldevenuseanoldbakingpan;youwouldjustneedtocutafewholesinthebottomfordrainage.Whatyouarelookingforisashallow,lightweight,movabletray.
Anotheroptionisusingashallowflowerpot.Thereareafewfactorstobeawareofwhenchoosingapottogrowyourmicrogreens.Althougheasytofind,claypotscanhindergerminationbecauseoftheirtendencytodryoutquicklyandwickmoisturefromthesoil.Chooseawideshallowpotoveralargetallpottomaximizethesurfaceareaforyourgrowinggreensandminimizeunnecessaryextrasoiluse.Youmaywanttouseseveralpotsasyouryieldwillprobablybelessthanifyouwereusingastandardtray.
Whetheryoudecidetousewood,plastic,ormetal,properdrainageisveryimportant.Althoughoftenoverlooked,drainageisoneofthekeysforaplanttothrive.Whilebeingveryimportantinthegarden,itisevenmoreimportantinyourtrays.Ifyouarebuyingorcollectingplastictrays,theywillprobablyalreadyhaveholescutinthebottoms.Ifyouaremakingyourowntrays,besure
tocreateslitsorholestoallowexcesswatertoflowthrough.Ifthereisalackofdrainage,youwillfindstuntedgrowth,rot,andmoldinyourgreens.
Soil
Theheartofanyfarmorgardenisitssoil,andmicrogreensarenoexception.Choosingthepropersoiltogrowyourmicrogreensinisvital.Arich,fertilesoilisteemingwiththebiologicalandmineralinteractionsnecessaryforvibrant,nutrient-richplants.Apartfromafewelementsacquiredfromtheatmosphere,plantsdrawalloftheirnutritionfromthesoilandwater.
Duringourfirstseasonofgrowingmicrogreens,weusedseveralbrandsofpottingsoil,lookingforthebest.Throughoutthesetrialswewereastoundedtoseethedifferencesbetweenthem.Allofthesoilsthatweusedwerelabeled“organic”withingredientssuchasearthwormcastings,batguano,compost,etc.Asourgreensgrewinthesemediums,wequicklynoticeddramaticdifferencesingermination,growth,andoverallhealthoftheplants.Mostofthecheapersoilstoutingthesameingredientsfellshortwhenitcametosustainingthedensegrowthofthegreens.
Thesoilthatstoodoutinbothqualityandperformancehadadditionalingredientsderivedfromtheoceansuchaskelp,crabmeal,andshrimpmeal.Whileyoucouldusealesser-qualitysoilforotherthings,yourmicrogreenswilloftendemandmore.Usingahigh-qualitysoil,youwillenjoystrong,evengrowthandanincreasedyield.Whileyieldpertrayislessimportantforthehomegrower,acommercialgrowermustpaycloseattentiontothisdetail.Thecostofhigher-qualitysoilisoftenabsorbedbytheyieldsyouwillreapfromyourtrays.Wesuggestgoingtoyourlocalnurseryorhorticulturalstoreandspendingsometimelookingattheavailableoptions.Talkwiththeshopkeepersandchooseafewbrandsofpottingsoiltotakehomeandexperimentwith.Makesurethebagsarelabeledwiththeiringredientssoyouknowwhatyouaregetting.
SoilPress
Afterfillingyourtrayswithsoil,youwillneedatooltocreateaflatseedbed.Whenwefirstexperimentedwithgrowingthesegreens,wecutathickpieceofcardboardintheshapeofourtrays.Itworkedwellfortheshorttermbutinthelongrunbecamesoggyanddamagedfromweatherandwettrays.Ifsowingjust
afewtraysatatime,cardboardisagoodoption,butyoumayneedtoreplaceiteveryonceinawhile.Cardboardiseasytofindandisusuallyfree.
Asouroperationgrew,weneededamorepermanentpress.Insteadofmakinganotheroutofthesamematerial,wefoundsomewoodscrapsandconstructedapresswithahandle.
Seeds
Qualityseedsareanotherintegralpartofgrowingmicrogreens.Factorsthatwillaffecttheviabilityofyourseedsarestorage,handling,age,andseedsource.Ifyousowonethousandseeds,thedifferencebetweena95-percentgerminationrateanda50-percentgerminationrateisquitenoticeable.Itcanbedishearteningtohavegonethroughtheeffortofsowingandcaringforyourtraysonlytoseeasmallpercentageofyourseedscomeup.
Whenitcomestostoringandhandlingyourseeds,youwillwanttokeepthemcoolanddry.Avoidgreatfluctuationintemperatureandmoisture.Duringhot,humidsummerdays,bemindfulnottoleavetheminthesunorletthemgetcaughtinasummerthunderstorm.Properlycaringforyourseedswillmaintaintheirviabilityforalongerperiodoftime.
Yourseedpacketsofferyouvaluableinformationsuchasgerminationrate,age,andseedvariety.Unlesskeptinaspecialenvironment,yourseedswilllasttwotofiveyearsdependingonthevegetable.Theamountoftimethatyourseedswillstayviableisanaverageanddependsonwhetheryoukeeptheminproperconditions.
WithaccesstotheInternet,youhavehundredsofseedcompaniesatyourfingertips.Forthepurposeofgrowingmicrogreens,youarelookingforseedcompaniessellinginbulk.Manycompanieswillsellonlysmallpacketsofseeds,whichiswhatyouwouldfindatyourlocalgardeningstore.Whentryingoutanewcompany,startwithasmallquantityofseed.Ifrequested,manycompanieswillprovidefreesamples.Whenyouhavefoundthevarietiesyoulike,youwillprobablywanttomoveuptoquarter-poundbags.Ifyounoticeyourselfgoingthroughseedquickly,mostcompaniesofferpricebreaksatoneandfivepounds.Duetothevolumeofseedyouwillbegoingthrough,priceisaconsideration.Obviouslythecommercialgrowerwillgothroughquiteabitmoreseedthanthehomegrower.Therefore,theymightwanttoshoparoundtofindthebestcombinationofqualityandprice.
Asyouarebrowsingthroughseedcatalogs,youwillnoticesomecompaniesofferingbothorganicandnonorganicvarieties.Whilewealwaysadvocatesupportingsmall,local,andorganicsourcesofseeds,theyarenotalwaysavailableoraffordable.Aboveanythingistheimportanceoffindinguntreatedseedsfromreputable,service-orientedseedcompanies.
Somethinguniqueaboutgrowingmicrogreensistheneedforseedsthatnotonlyhaveahighgerminationratebutalsogerminateatthesametime.Wehavenoticedwithsomeofourseedstockwhatwecall“wavegermination.”Withtheseseedsthereisadifferenceinthetimingofgerminationwithinthesamesowing.Wehavenoticedasmuchastwotothreedaysbetweenthefirstandlastseedsgerminating.Thisphenomenonwouldusuallygounnoticedbymostpeoplegrowingfull-sizedvegetables.However,sinceweareharvestingourgreensjustonetotwoweeksaftergermination,weneedallofourseedsto“pop”atthesametime.
Seedqualityalsoplaysaroleafteryourseedshavecomeup.Wehavegrownbroccolithathadgreatgerminationbuthadterrible-lookingcotyledons.WehavehadChinaRoseradish,whichisnormallyabeautifulpink-stemmedmicrogreen,comeupwithwhitestems.Wehavealsohadpurplecabbagerangefromdarkpurpletogreen.Someofthesevariationswon’tbotherthehomegrower,butforthecommercialgrowerthesedeviationscanbefrustrating.
Seeds AverageYearsViableAmaranth 2Arugula 3Broccoli 4Beet 4Cabbage 4Celery 3Chard 4Cress 5Endive 5Mustard 4PacChoi 3Pea 3
Radish 5TokyoBekana 3
SeedViabilityChart
Towels
Usingclothorpapertowelsisaquickandeffectivealternativetocoveringyourseedswithsoil.Usuallyonewouldcoverasowntraywithadustingofsoil,enoughtocovertheseeds.
Forthehomegrower,withaccesstoawashingmachine,clothtowelsworkwell.Werecommendathin,lightweightcottoncloth.Youwillwanttowashthemfrequently,aswettowelscanbuildupmoldandbacteria.Inourcommercialoperation,papertowelshavebeenextremelyeffective.Withtheamountoftraysthatwesoweveryweek,usingpapertowelsbecameabetteralternative.Betweencompostingandusingtheminourvermiculturebins,papertowelsfiteasilyintooursystem.Justremembertopurchaseunbleachednaturalpapertowels,asyoudon’twanttobewateringbleachandotherchemicalsontoyourgerminatingseedsandsoil.Whichevertypeoftowelyouuse,itspurposewillbetoprovideacoveringlayertokeepyourseedswarmandmoistuntiltheygerminate.
Watering:Hoses,Sprayers,andWateringCans
Ifyouhaveasmallgardenorhouseplants,youmayalreadyhavesomeofthesuppliesyou’llneedtowateryourgreens.Ifyouaregrowingoutside,agardenhoseandasprayerwithseveralsettingswillbeimportant.Makesureyoucanadjustthestrengthofitsspray.Outofallthesettingsprovidedonoursprayer,amediumshowerhasbeenthemosteffective.Ifyouaregoingtobegrowingindoors,you’llneedawateringcan.Makesureithasanattachmentthatallowsthewatertosprinkleoutratherthanpouroutinonestream.
Sinceyouaregrowingthegreenssodensely,aircirculationisveryimportant.Youdon’twanttowaterthemsohardthattheyfallandmat.Ifthishappens,thelackofairandexcesswaterwillcausethemtorot.Ifyoufindthatyourgreenshavefallen,youcantrygentlybrushingthemuprightwithyourhand,orinotherwords,“fluff”them.Thekeytogoodwateringistobegentleyetthorough.
ThepHMeter
ThemeasurementofacidityoralkalinityofasolutionispH.ApHmeterisanimportantinvestmentwhengrowingmicrogreens.ThepHofyourwaterwilldeterminehowwellyourgreensareabletoaccessthenutrientsinthesoil.IfthepHistooloworhigh,thesenutrientsgetlockedupandbecomeunavailabletotheplants.Metersrangeinpricefromeighttoeightydollars.Cheaperoptionsrelyonliquidsolutionsandcolormatchingwhilethemoreexpensivemetersareoftendigitalandcanbeplaceddirectlyinthewaterbeingtested.WecannotsayenoughabouttheimportanceoftestingthepHofyourwater.WespentourfirsttwoseasonsunawareofthespecificwaterpHneedsofmanyofourcrops.Westruggledwithsomecropssuchasbeet,basil,andamaranth,uncertainofwhatwascausingtheinconsistencieswewereencountering.Wecameacrossrotandpoorgrowthinmanyofourtraysandspentalotoftimechangingdifferentvariablesinoursystemsothatwecouldcorrecttheseproblems.Nothingseemedtohelppermanently.Wewouldoftenseepromisingresults,onlytofindthatthesameproblemscamebackinfuturesowings.Whilebuyingsoilatourlocalhorticulturalstore,wespokewiththeowneraboutourplight.HesuggestedtestingandmonitoringthepHofourwater.Wefoundoutthatourwaterwasveryalkaline,registeringatan8onthemeter.WhilesomeofourAsiangreenshavebeenabletotoleratethishighpH,wediscoveredthatthecropsthatwehad
beenhavingtroublewithpreferredamuchlowerreading.Onceweadjustedaccordingtotheirneeds,allrot,dampingoff,andpoorgrowthceased.Itwaslikemagic.Still,weareastoundedatthedifferencebalancingourpHhasmadeforourgreens.
AdjustingthepHrequiresplayingalittlewithchemistry.ThereareseveraldifferentorganicproductsavailableforloweringorraisingpH.AsimplesolutionforloweringpH(increasingyourwater’sacidity)isusingabitoflemonjuice.Bakingsoda,powderedoystershells,orpowdereddolomitelimewillraiseyourpH(increasingyourwater’salkalinity).
Aswesaidearlier,oncethepHisbroughtintotheproperrangeforthecrop,theplantisabletodrawkeynutrientsfromthesoil.Nowthatwehavebeguntakingcareofthisfactor,weareabletogrowourgreenswellintotheirtrueleafstage.Insteadofbecomingstressedandstunted,thegreenshavecometoanewlevelofbeauty.Althoughitmayseemlikeanotherstep,webelievethatmonitoringyourpHiswellworthitandcangiveyouimpressiveresults.CropssensitivetohighpHarenotedintheIndividualCropschapter.
LidsforGermination
Ifyoudonothaveagreenhousetogrowin,youwillneedtoinvestinorinventlidstocoveryourtrays.Thiscreatesa“minigreenhouseeffect”andkeepstemperatureandmoistureatamoreconsistentstatethanifyourgerminatingseedswereexposedtoopenair.Thisisespeciallyimportantindryclimatesorinseasonswhenthereislargerfluctuationbetweenthenightanddaytemperatures.Iflidsarenotused,youmayfindyourseedgerminationisgreatlyreduced,uneven,andmuchslowerthancoveredtrays.Theextraexpenseiswellworthitinordertogetagoodyield.
Ifpurchasingyourlids,anylocalhorticulturalsupplystoreornurseryshouldcarrythem.Iftheyarenotavailableinyourarea,youcanfindthemonline.RefertotheresourcesectionofthisbookforspecificWebsites.Theaveragepriceseemstobearoundthreedollars.Rememberthatyouwillwantalidthatfitsyourcontainer.Onegoodthingaboutusingastandard-sizetrayisthatitiseasytofindlidsthatwillfitthem.Keepthisinmindifyoudecidetobuildyourowntraysorareusingaflowerpot.Ifyouuseatraythatisadifferentshapeorsize,youwillneedtocreateanalternativelid.Forthisyoucoulduseplasticbagsorapaneofglass.Ifplasticlidsareused,makesuretheyarestoredintheshade
topreventmeltinganddisfigurationoftheplastic.Ifapaneofglassisused,keepthetraysoutofdirectsuntoavoidexcessheat.
HeatMats
Heatmatscanprovideextrawarmthforwarm-weathercrops(suchasamaranthorbasil)orjump-startthegerminatingprocessofanyseed.Theyareoftenunnecessarybutcanbeespeciallyhelpfulforstartingseedsincolderclimates.Relativelyinexpensive,heatmatscanbefoundatlocalhorticulturalstoresoronline,ranginginsizeandprice.Heatmatsarepoweredbyelectricityandgentlywarmthesoilfrombelow.
ScissorsforHarvesting
Wefindthatscissorsarethemosteffectivetoolforharvestingmicrogreens.Buyingaseparatepairsolelyfortheuseofharvestingisnotabadidea—thatwaytheystaysharpandcleanandmakecuttingeasy.Havingacoupleofdifferentsizesofscissorscanbehelpfulforcuttingdifferentvarietiesanddensitiesofgreensaswell.Themostimportantthinghereissharpness.Onceyourscissorsbegintodull,youcaneitherbuyanewpairorsharpenyourexistingpair.
Afteryearsoftryingdifferentsharpenersforourknivesandscissors,wehaverecentlyfoundonethatishighlyeffective.Thedifficultywithmostmanualsharpenersiskeepingthebevelataconsistentanglewhileyousharpen.Ifyoudonotkeeptheangleofthebevelconsistent,itbecomesmoreandmoredifficultovertimetomaintainarazor-sharpblade.Thesharpenerwehaverecentlyfoundclampstothebackofanysizeknifeorscissorbladeandwillallowyoutosharpenitataconstantangle.Thistakesanyguessworkoutofkeepingyourbladesharp.Formoreinformationonhowtofindasharpener,takealookattheRecommendedBooksandResourcesinthebackofthisbook.
Makingacleancutthroughthestemisoneimportantcomponenttothelongevityofyourgreens.Thelesscelldamagedoneduringtheharvest,thelongertheywillhold.Oncescissorsareallowedtodull,theywillstarttotearthestemsofthegreensversusmakingacleancut.Ifstoredforlateruse,youmaynoticedeteriorationanddiscolorationatthebottomofthestemwheretheyhavebeenpoorlycut.
Scale
Ascaleisessentialonlyforthoseplanningtoselltheirgreens.Youwillfindmanyoptionsavailableonlineoratlocalrestaurantsupplystores.Theywillrangeinpricefromfortytofourhundreddollars.Whenchoosingyourscale,precisionisthemostimportantfactor.Asyouwillbedealinginouncesandfractionsofounces,youwillwanttofindascalethatwillgiveyouareadingof1/10-ounceincrements.
Fan
Anysmallstandardhousefanwithafewsettingstochoosefromwillworkwellfordryinggreensyouplantostoreorsell.Youwillwanttochooseonethateitherrestsonthegroundorhasapivotingheadsothatitcanbepointeddirectlyonyourdryinggreens.Werecommendalowtomediumsettingthatwon’toverdryyourdelicatemicrogreens.
StorageContainers
Youhaveafewoptionsforstoringyourharvestedgreens.Ifyouareplanningtosellyourgreenstoothers,youcanuseeitherfood-graderesealablebagsorplasticclamshells.Bothoftheseareavailableinbulkfromvarioussuppliers.Forgreensgrownforhomeuse,anybagorsealablecontainerwillwork.Treatyourmicrogreensasyouwouldanydelicatesaladgreen.
How-to-GrowTen-StepProcessGrowingmicrogreensisasimpleprocessthatcanbedoneintensteps.Youwilldiscoverthatittakeslittletime,energy,andexperience.Youwillquicklybecomeskilledandefficientasyouintegratethegrowingoffresh,nutritiousgreensintoyourlife.
Step1:FillingYourTraysWithSoil
Nowyouarereadytogrowmicrogreens!Thefirststepistofillyourtrayswiththegrowingmediumthatyouhavechosen,creatingtheseedbed.Wefindthatfillingthetrayswithaboutaninchtoaninchandahalfofsoilissufficient.Useyourhandtoleveloutthesoil.Makesurenottofillyourtraystotheverytoptoavoidsoilandseedspillingovertheedgeswhenyoufirstwater.Useyoursoilpresstosmoothandflattenthesoil,beingmindfulnottocompactyourseedbed.Overcompactionwillresultinpoor,slowgrowth.
Step2:SowingYourSeeds
Nowthatyouhaveasmooth,evenseedbed,youarereadytosowyourseeds.Takeasmallpinchofseedswithyourfingertipsandsprinklethemoveryourtrayusingthesamemotionasifyouwerespicingadishinthekitchen.Takeyourtimetoevenlyspreadtheseedsovertheentiretray.Ifyoufindthatyouhavesowntoomanyortoofewseedsinanyportionofthetray,simplyaddmoreseedorspreadouttheexcess.Youcaneithersticktoonevarietyforyourentiretrayorsowasmanytypesofseedasyoulike,creatingamixedtray.Thisisniceifyouaresowingonlyacoupletraysatatimebutstillwouldlikeavarietyofgreenstoeat.Theonlythingtobeawareofwhengrowingamixedtrayistousevarietiesthatareabletobeharvestedatapproximatelythesametime.
Thedensityofsowingdependsontheseedvarietyandthesizeatwhichyouwouldliketoharvest.Ifyouwantadensetrayofcotyledons,werecommendbroadcastingathicklayerofseed.
Ifyouwouldliketoexperimentwithgrowingyourgreenstotheir“trueleaf”stage,simplysowthemlessdenselyandallowthemtogrowforalongerperiodoftime.Inthebeginning,itmaytakesomeexperimentingtogetyoursowingdown.Youmayfindthatyouhavesownsomevarietiestoodenselyandareencounteringpoorgrowthandrotinyourtrays.Ontheotherextreme,ifyou
havesownthemtoosparsely,youryieldpertraywillbeverylow.Soilqualityalsoplaysaroleinsustainingthegrowthofyourgreens.Startoutwithjustafewtraysandfindyourbalance.Onceyourtrayhasbeensown,youwillwanttogiveitalightpressing.Theobjectiveistoverylightlyseatyourseedinthesoil,againbeingmindfulnottocompactit.Seatingyourseedensuresthatyourseedshavecontactwiththesoilsothattheycaneasilysetroots.
Step3:CoveringYourSeeds
Forthisstepyouhavethreeoptions.Traditionally,onewouldcoverhisorherseedswithsoil;alayeraboutthedepthofwhicheverseedisbeingsown,butmakingsuretheseediscovered.Anotheroptionistocoverwithclothorpapertowels.Yourthirdoptionistoleaveyourseedsuncoveredifyouaregerminatingtheminadarkplace.Outofthesethreemethods,webelievecoveringtrayswithtowelstobetheeasiestandmosteffective.
CoveringwithSoil
Ifyoutochoosetocoverwithsoil,smallerseeds(i.e.,brassicas,endive,amaranth,etc.)willrequireyoutocoverthemwithsiftedsoil.Whilesoilsiftersareavailable,wefindthatusingapastastrainerworksjustaswellandcanbefoundinmostkitchens.Simplyputahandfulofsoilinthestrainerandshakeit
overyourtrays.Afterdoingthisyouwillbeleftwiththelargerpiecesofyourpottingsoilthatwon’tfitthroughyourstrainer.Settheseasideandrepeatthisstepuntilyourseedsarecovered.Whencoveringyourlargerseeds(i.e.,pea,chard,beet,etc.),siftingisunnecessary.Justtakeahandfulofsoilandsprinkleanevenlayeroverthetray.Afteryouhavecoveredyourtray,youwillwanttogiveitanothergentlepressing.Applythesameamountofpressureaswhenseatingyourseed.Ifyoufindthatonceyouhavewateredyourtraysyouarestartingtoseeseedsonthesurface,justsprinklealittlemoresoiloverthetop.
CoveringwithTowels
Analternativetocoveringwithsoilistouseclothorpapertowels.Whilewedon’tusethismethodformostlargeseeds,itisextremelyeffectiveforcoveringsmallerseeds.Layingatoweloveryoursowntrayscreatesamoistureblanket.Takeyourlightweightcottonorpapertowelandlayitdirectlyonyourseeds.Onceinplace,keepmoistuntiltheseedshavegerminated.
Afterourfirstseason,westartedexperimentingwithtowels.Wefoundthatthetowelshadallthebenefitsofcoveringwithsoilandnoneofthedrawbacks.Thismethodstartedsavingustimeandmoney.Wecutoursoilcostsandsavedtimecoveringourtrays.Towelsalsoallowyoutosneakapeekintotheday-to-dayprogressofyourgerminatingseeds.Thiscanbeentertainingtochildren,astheycanlookunderthetowelandwatchtheseedsslowlyopenanddevelopintoplants.
UncoveredSeeds
Withthismethodyouarenotcoveringtheseedswithanything.Thismeansmoretimemustbespentmonitoringmoisturetoensuregermination.Yourtrayswillneedtobeundersomekindofprotection,whetheritbeagreenhouseorlids.Itwillalsobehelpfultokeepthesetraysoutofdirectsunlight,especiallyinthesummer.Thiswillhelpwithmaintainingadequatemoisture.Ifyouchoosetoleavetheseedsuncovered,paycarefulattentionwhenseatingthem.
Step4:InitialWatering
Thenextstepistowateryourtrays.Setyoursprayertoalight/mediumshowersettingsothattheentiretraygetsgentlysoaked.Preliminarywateringistheonlystageatwhichoverwateringisnotanissueaslongasyourseedsarenotdrowninginwater.However,underwateringwillresultinpoorornogermination.Agerminatingseedmustremainmoist.Iftheseedbed,andthereforetheseed,isallowedtodryout,theprocesswillhaltandyourseedswillnolongerbeviable.
Step5:CoverwithLids
Onceyourtrayshavebeenwatered,youwillneedtocoverthemwithlidsifyouarenotgrowinginagreenhouseofsomesort.Thereasonforusingtheselidsistospeedupgerminationbyholdinginheatandretainingmoisture.Keepinmindthatifusingplasticlids,youwillwanttokeepacloseeyeonyourtrayswhenindirectsunlight.Duetothe“minigreenhouseeffect”thatthelidscreate,temperaturesinsidecanbecomesubstantiallygreaterthantheairoutside.Thisisabenefitforstimulatinggerminationandgrowth,butitmustbemonitoredinordertoavoidexcessbuildupofheatinyourtrays.Ifyounoticethatthingsareabittoosteamyinside,simplymovethelidslightlytothesidetocreatesomeventilation.
Step6:WateringYourGerminatingSeeds
Asyourseedsaregerminating,itisimportanttokeepacloseeyeontheirprogressandtomaintainpropermoisture.Whenusingthetowelmethod,observethedampnessofthetowelandwaterdaily,keepingthetowelandtheseedbelowitmoist.Onebenefitofthetowelmethodisthatitgivesyouawindowintothegerminationprocess.Insteadoftheseedsbeinghiddenfromyourview,youcanliftacornerofthetowelatanytime,allowingyoutowatchthestagesofgermination.Youwantyourseedstoremaincovereduntiltheyarefullygerminated.Afterafewdays,youwillnoticethatthetowelswillhavestartedtoliftoffthesoil,givingyouahintthatyourgreensaregettingreadytoneedtoseethelight.Asillustratedinthephotographs,certaingerminatingseedsacquireawhitefuzzontheirstems.Thisisnotmoldandisanaturalpartoftheprocessasyourseedlingssetroots.
Trayscoveredwithsoilwillrequireabitmoreattention.Soilwilldryoutmorequicklythantowels,somakesurethesetraysarewateredacoupleoftimesaday.Withmicrogreens,yourtrayswillbesodenselysownthatwhentheygerminate,thecoveringlayerofsoilwillliftwiththeseeds.Ifthesoilisnotevenlyrinsedfromtheseedsearlyinthisprocess,theywillremainunderthesoil
indarkness.Theseseedlingswillquicklybecomeweedyandpale.Whenwateredatthispoint,thecoveringsoilcandrownandkillmuchofthetray.Thatsaid,wecoveredourseedswithsoilourentirefirstseasonofgrowingourgreens.Whileitisnotdifficulttodo,losingtraysbecauseyouareafewhoursoffcanbefrustrating.
Ifyouchoosenottocoveryourseeds,takecautionwhenwatering.Agentleshowerwillensurethatyourgerminatingseedsaren’tdisrupted.Rememberthatwhichevercoveringmethodyouchoose,yourseedswillneedconsistentmoisturetogerminate.
Stage1
Stage2
PullingOffTowel
Stage3
Step7:FindingAGoodSpotToGrow
Onethingthatmakesgrowingmicrogreenssoaccessibletosomanypeopleisthelackofspacetheyrequire.Peopleoftenrefertousas“porchfarmers,”asweareabletosupportourentiremicrogreenclientbaseonlessthan100squarefeet.Ifyoudon’thaveenoughroomtoplantagardeninthebackyardordon’tevenhaveabackyard,awindowsill,porch,patio,orfrontstepwillprovideplentyofspacetogrowfresh,deliciousmicrogreensforyourselfandyourfamily.
Asweallknow,plantsneedlighttothrive.Thegerminationprocess,however,doesnotrequirelight.Thisallowsyoutokeepyourgerminatingtraysanywhere,solongastheyarekeptwarmandmoist.Oncegerminated,microgreens,likemostotherplants,requirelighttogrowandflourish.Thisprocessoftakingsunlightandconvertingittoenergyisknownasphotosynthesisandisafundamentalprocessinthegrowthofyourgreens.Onceyourseedshavegerminated,youwillwanttofindasunnyspotinsideoroutsideforthemtogrow.
Choosingthelocationofyourtraysrequirespayingattentiontoyourgreens.Intheheatofthesummer,somevarietiesmaypreferfullsun,whileothersrequiredappledshade.Nomatterwhatthevariety,someamountoflightandwarmtharerequired.Youwillfindthatplantsdeprivedoflightwillbeginreachingforwhateverlightsourcetheycanfind.Theywillthenbecome“leggy”andscrawnyasopposedtobeingstrong,stouthealthy-lookingplants.Youwillalsonoticeachangeintheircolor.Whilethetraysgivenenoughlightarelookinglikeadenselawnofrichlycoloredgreens,thetraysdeprivedoflightwillbeginlookingyellowandweak,makingthemmoresusceptibletorotanddisease.Thisiseasilyavoided.Letthemseethelight!Strivetofindaplaceforyourgreensthatprovidesthemostamountofsunlight.Asunnywindowsill,yourporchledge,orevenyourfrontstepcouldallserveasgreatplacestogrowyourgreens.
Ifyoufeelyouareunabletogetadequatesunlight,growlightsarealsoanoption.Thereareavarietyofgrowlightsavailablefromyourlocalgardeningstoreoronline,ranginginsizeandprice.Keepinmindyourenergycostswhenpurchasingasystem.Livinginsunnyplaces,youmayneverusethem,buttheycouldbequitehelpfulinplaceswheresunlightisscarceduringthewintermonths.Growlightscanbesetupanywherethatisconvenient.Abasementorunusedclosetcouldeasilybetransformedintoagreens-growinghaven.
Step8:MaintainingYourGrowingGreens
Nowthatyourseedshavegerminated,theywillrequirelighttogrowandthrive.Ifyouareusingthetowelmethod,youwillnowwanttoremovethetowelandtheplasticlid.Oncethetowelisremoved,itcanbecomposted,usedinavermiculturesystem,burned,orthrownaway.Ifgrowingindoors,youcanflipyourlidoverandplaceyourtrayinside.Thiswillkeepexcesswateroffofyour
counters.Besuretoemptythiswaterdailysothatyoursoilisn’tstandinginwater.
Dependingonthevariety,thegreenswillneedtoremaininthelightforanaverageofseventofourteendays.Afast-growinggreenlikearugulawillrequireaminimumgrowingperiod,whileslow-growingbasilwillneedmoretime.Keepinmindthatweather,location,andwateringpatternsallplayaroleinthistimeline.Whileyoumaygothroughseveralgrowingcycleswiththesameresults,greatvariationdoestendtooccurifanyofthepreviouslynamedfactorsarealtered.Shouldyoudecidetobranchoutafterexperimentingwithsomebasicvarieties,youwillnoticethatmoreexoticmicrogreenssuchasmintorsorrelwilltakesubstantiallylongertobothgerminateandgrowtosize.SpecificdataonaveragegerminationandgrowthtimesforanumberofcropsislocatedintheIndividualCropschapterofthisbook.
Sinceyourseedlingsarenowoutinthelight,youmustpayattentiontotheirmoisture.Merelylookingatthesurfaceofthesoilwillnotgiveyouanaccuratereadingofitsmoisturecontent.Youwillneedtogetyourhandsdirty.Stickyourfingerinthecornerofthetraytomakesurethatallofthesoiliswet.Wateringonceadayisoftensufficient—justbecarefulnottooverwater.Overwateringatthisstagecandrowntheseedlingsandstopthegrowthprocess.Underwateringwillresultinwiltedgreens.Oncetheircellulosestructurehasbeencompromisedbyeitherover-orunderwatering,thegreensmayremaindamagedbutareoftenabletorecover.Youmightnoticethisifyouhavechosenapoorlylitplaceforyourgreensandlaterrelocatedthem.Youcouldalsoleaveyourgreensduringacloudyday,thinkingyouhavewateredthemsufficiently,onlytofindthatitissunnywhenyoureturnandyourgreenshavewilted.Often,agentlesoakingwillrevivethemafteracoupleofhours.
Thisphenomenonoccursallthetimeinnature,especiallyinhot,dryclimateswhereplantsmustpreservetheirenergy.Iffacingintensedirectsunandtherebyheat,energyissenttotherootstosustainthelifeoftheplant,allowingtheleavesandflowerstodroopandwiltduringtheheatoftheday.Onecouldcomeuponsuchaplantmiddayandthinkitwasdying,onlytofindthesameplantinitsfullgloryduringthecoolestpartoftheevening.Thatsaid,youwanttoavoidasmuchstressonyourgreensaspossible,keepingthemproperlywatered.Takenoteofthestrengthofthesunandavoidwateringmidday.Whenplantsarewateredintheheatoftheday,thedropsofwateractaslittlemagnifyingglassesandcanburntheleaves.Thisiseasilyavoidedbywateringeitherinthemorningoreveninginclimatesandtimesofyearwhenthesunisatitsstrongest.
Step9:Harvesting
WhentoHarvest
Microgreenscanbeharvestedatdifferentstagesofgrowth.Youcaneitherharvestthemjustaftertheircotyledonshaveopenedorwaitforthemtoputonasecondsetofleaves,knownastrueleaves.Ifallowedtocontinuetogrow,eventuallythegreenswillbegintoshowsignsofstresssuchasyellowing,stuntedgrowth,andlookingweakor“leggy”(tallandunhealthy),andtheywillstarttorotfromunderneath.Thisgenerallystartstohappenbecauseofhowdenselyyouaresowingtheseedsandthesmallamountofsoilyouaregrowingthemin.Ifthesameseedwereallowedtogrowlessdensely,inabiggercontainerordirectlyinthegroundwithplentyofroomforitsroots,youcouldwatchitgrowthroughmanystages.Dependingonthevariety,itwouldeventuallygrowintoafull-sizedplantfromwhichyoumightharvestitsfruitorleaf(i.e.,aheadofbroccoliorfull-grownleavesofarugula).Soilqualityalsoplaysamajorroleinthehealthandvitalityofyourgreens.Ifyouareusingalesser-qualitysoil,signsofstresswillbecomeapparentmuchearlierandmorefrequently.
HowtoHarvest
Whengettingreadytoharvestyourgreens,oneofthemostimportantfactorstobeawareofistheheatoftheday.Cuttingthegreenswhiletheyhavebeeninthesunforafewhoursorevenintheshadeduringahotsummer’sdaywillresultinwiltedgreensthatwillquicklyturntomush.Youcanalwaystrysoakingthemincoldwatertorevivethem,buttheyareusuallytoofargonetoperkbackup.Earlymorningsandeveningsaretheidealtimestoharvest.Thekeyhereistokeepyourgreenscool.Harvestingatthepropertimewillkeepthemlookingasfreshandaliveaswhentheyweregrowing.Thisisespeciallyimportantforgreensyouplantoselltoothersorstoreforyourself.
Wefindthatscissorsmakethemosteffectivetoolforharvestingmicrogreens.Thinkofcuttingyourtraylikegivingyourgreensahaircut.Holdasectionlooselywithonehandandusetheotherhandtosnipwithyourscissors.Yourgreensmayrangefromonetofourinchestall,dependingonthevarietyandageatwhichtheyarecut.Togetaniceratioofgreensandstem,cutaboutoneinchabovethesoilformostgreens.Ifthegreenshavebeenallowedtogettalloryoupreferlessstem,cuthigherup.Afteryourcut,takethegreensinonehandandlooselyflickthestemsideofthecuttoknockoffanysoilordamagedends.Thisstepwillkeepyourhomesaladcleanandwillsavetimewashingifyouareplanningonsellingyourgreens.Aftercutting,puteachhandfulinabowloronaplateanduseasmuchasyouneed.Unlessyouarecuttingabovethecotyledons,
yourtrayswillnotgrowagain.Theremainingsoilandrootscanbecomposted.Thechapteroncompostingwillgiveyoumoreinformationon“recycling”yourusedsoil.
Weharvestourgreensdifferentlyifwearecuttingtosellorifwearemakingahomesalad.Whenharvestingforourrestaurantorders,weuseasmalldigitalscaleandzeroouttheweightofaplatetogetaccurateweightsaswearecutting.Weusuallyharvestabitmorethanweneedtoaccountforlostweightafterwashing.
Whenweareharvestingforourselvesit’smuchmorecasual.Obviouslywedonotuseascaleandoftensnipabitfromseveraltrays,makingacustomsaladaswelikeit.Don’tfeellikeyouhavetoharvestawholetrayorharvestfromonlyonevarietyatatime.Youcanalsoexperimentwithgreensatdifferentstagesofgrowthandcreateauniquemixbyusingjustacoupleofvarietiesatdifferentsizes.Thiswillprovidedifferenttexturesandavariedlooktoyourmix.
Oneofthegreatestthingswefindaboutgrowingmicrogreensistheabilitytocutandeatthemwithinminutes.Thisallowsyoutohavethefreshest,tastiest,andmostnutritioussaladavailablerightfromyourownhome.IntheRecipes:FoodasArtchapter,wedescribedifferentmixeswelikeandpairthemwithrecipesforyoutoexplore,butkeepinmindthatyouronlylimitationsareyourtastebudsandimagination.
Step10:WashingandStorage
Washing
Unlessyouareplanningonsellingyourgreenstorestaurantsorindividuals,itisoftenunnecessarytowashthem.Youcantreatthemasyouwouldsaladgreensfromyourgardenorthestorebygivingthemaquickrinsebeforeservingthem.
Somegrowerschoosenottowashtheirgreensbeforetheysellthem.Inoperationswheresoil-lessmethodsareused(i.e.,hydroponics),sellingunwashedgreensismoreofanoption.However,ifgrowingwithsoil,washingthegreensisimportantsothatyoucanofferacleanproduct,freeofsoilandrottenleaves.Theprocessofwashingthegreensgivesyouacloserlookatyourproductandallowsyoutoremoveanysoil,debris,seedhulls,orrottenleavesbeforeyousellittoyourclient.Thiswillgiveyoutheconfidenceofknowingexactlywhatyouaresellingaswellasanedgeoveranycompetitionsellingunwashedgreens.
Theprocessofwashingmicrogreensissimplebutcanalsobetediousandtimeconsuming.Wefindthatpurchasingaplastictubtousesolelyforwashinggreensisconvenient.Youwillwanttofindasizethatfitsinthesinkwhereyouwillbewashingtohaveeasyaccesstorunningwater.Washyourgreensincoldwatertomaintainfreshness.Properlightingisimportantsothatyoucangetagoodlookatyourharvestandremoveanydufforrottenleaveseasily.Wefindthatawell-litroomandtheuseofaheadlampmakesthisprocessmucheasier.Techniquevariesinthecleaningofgreens.Mostoftheseedhulls,seeds,duff,anddamagedleavesfloattothetop,wheretheycanbeeasilyskimmedoffusingyourhand.Soilandotherheavyparticlesoftensinktothebottom.Thisprocesstakesaneyefordetailandagreatdealofpatience.Inordertoreallyshowcaseyourgreens,wefinditimportanttobeimpeccablewithyourprocessing.Whilethismayseemdauntingatfirst,withpractice,youwillbecomebothskilledandefficient.Youmayfindthatyouinventnewmethodsthathelpyoutostreamlineprocessing.Differentcropsoftencallfordifferentmethods.Whilesomegreensareeffortlesstowash,othersprovemoredifficultandrequiremoretimeandattention.Wehavefoundthatgreensthatareespeciallydirtyorfullofdamagedleavesrequireatwo-stagewashingmethod.Aftertheinitialwashing,wetakeoutahandfulatatime,examineitonaplate,pulloutanythingwehavemissedandcontinueuntilfinished.Often,thesegreenswillrequireasecondrinse.Ifyouchoosetousethe“towelmethod”forcoveringyourgerminatingseeds,theywillrequirefarlesswashingthanifcoveredwithsoil.Coveringwithtowelseliminateshalfofthesoilandseedhullnormallyfoundinyourrinsewater,
therebycuttingyourworkinhalf.Whenweswitchedfromcoveringwithsoiltocoveringwithtowels,wewentfromthreetofourrinsespercropdowntooneortwo.
Drying
Afteryourgreenshavebeenwashed,yournextstepisdrying.Usingasmallfanisveryeffective.Youwillwanttouseyourfanonalowtomediumsettingandbesuretokeepaneyeonthegreens.Youwillneedtoturnandfluffthemeveryfewminutes,beingcarefulnottooverdrythem.Yourbeautiful,delicatemicrogreenscanturnquitetheoppositeifallowedtobecomeover-orunderdriedandstoredintherefrigerator.
Storing
Ifyouarestoringyourgreensforyourself,werecommendusingaresealablebag,filledwithabitofair,andputtingitdirectlyintherefrigerator.Anotheroptionisusingareusablecontainer.Althoughquiteperishable,microgreenswilllastatleastthreetofourdaysandoftenuptoaweekormore,dependingontheirquality,variety,andtheamountofmoistureinthecontainer.
Ifyourgreensarebeingsold,youwillwanttoinvestinasmallaccuratescaleandeitherfood-graderesealableplasticbagsorplasticclamshells(resourcesavailableinthebackofthebook).Wefindsellingfour-ouncepackagestobeconvenientforboththechefandthegrower.Creatingalabelofsomekindisusefultodistinguishthedatethegreenswereharvestedaswellastheirvariety.
ScaleofProduction
HomeGrower
Whendecidinghowmanytraystogrow,yourfirstconsiderationwillbehowmanypeopleyouwouldliketofeed.Everyhomehaspeoplewhoeatavaryingamountofgreens;therefore,thenumberoftraysyouneedwillalsovary.Forafamilyoffour,wewouldstartwithtwotothreetrays,twiceaweek.Becausethegrowingcycleissoshort,itiseasytostartsmallandadjustaccordingly.Eachtraycanbesownwithafewdifferentvarietiestohaveanenjoyableassortmentofcolors,flavors,andtextures.Youwillgenerallyhaveabatchoftraysthatyouareharvestingfrom,abatchthatisgerminating,andabatchyouaresowing.Thiswillallowfortheconstantflowoffreshgreensforthehome.Ifyou’regrowingforjustyourself,orspaceisaconsideration,sowingevenonetrayaweekwouldbegreat.Havingasmallinfluxoffreshhomegrowngreensforthefamilyispriceless.
CommercialGrower
Ifyouwanttosellyourgreenstorestaurantsorindividuals,startsmall.Thiswillallowyoutimetoworkoutanykinks,choosevarietiesthatworkforyou,andgetasenseoftheaverageweightpertray.Aswiththehomegrower,sowingtwiceaweekwillallowforaconstantflowofgreensforyouraccounts.Whenwestartedoursmalloperation,wetookononeortwoaccountsatatime.Thisenabledustogetcomfortablewithsupplyingthenewdemand.Astheseasonprogresses,youwillnoticethatyourchefswillhavetheirfavoritesandwillalsowantnewvarietiestotry.Onceagain,theshortgrowingcycleandfrequentsowingswilleasilyaccommodateanyfluctuationinyourorders.
IndividualCropsThischapterwillhighlightarangeofvegetablesthatcanbegrownasmicrogreens.Therearemanymorevarietiesthatcanbeexperimentedwith,butthesewillprovideyouwithaplatformtobranchoutfrom.Keepinmindthattheaveragesprovidedfordaystogerminationandharvestarebasedongrowingtemperaturesrangingfrom65to75degreesF.Usetheseaveragesasaguideandadjustaccordingtoyourclimate.Theweightrangesthatweobtainarebasedonusingstandard20x10-inchblackplastictrays.Rememberthiswhenyouarecomparingweightsofahomemadeoralternativevessel.
Don’tbelimitedbythecropslistedinthischapter.Manyvegetablesandherbsmakegreatmicrogreens.Oneruleofthumbwhenchoosingvegetablevarietiesistoavoidfruitingvegetablessuchassquash,tomatoes,etc.,andleantowardsleafycropssuchaskaleorcollards.Youwillfindthatsomevegetablesaremoresuitedthanothers.Experiment!Herbsmakeveryinterestingmicrogreens.Youcantryeverythingfromcherviltochives.Whileherbstendtotakealongtimetogerminateandgrowtosize,theyaddexcitingflaretothehomegrower’skitchen.Johnny’sSelectedSeedsinMaine(www.johnnyseeds.com)offersanextensivelistofmicrogreenoptionsthatcanbehelpfulinspurringyourimagination.
Whilethereareafewdifferentmethodsusedtogrowmicrogreens(i.e.aeroponics,hydroponics),ourexperienceiswithusinghigh-qualityorganicpottingsoilandourdatareflectstheuseofthatmedium.Ifyouareinterestedinusingeitheroftheothermethods,yourweightsandappearancesmayvary.Wearesoilloversandhavenotspentanytimeorenergylearningabouthydroponicsoraeroponics,butthereareplentyofpeoplewhohavegottengoodresultsandthereisampleinformationonthesetechniquesonline.
Amaranth
Family AmaranthaceaeGenusandspecies AmaranthuscruentusVarietieswerecommend RedGarnetTaste Slightlyearthy
Averagedaystogerminate 2to3daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 8to12daysAverageweightpertray 2to3ouncesDifficulty Mediumtodifficult
GrowingTips
Amaranthrequiresconsistency.Fluctuationintemperatureresultsinsloworlowgerminationaswellaspoorgrowthaftergermination.
Traditionallygrownasagrainindryclimates,amaranthdoesn’tlikeconstantsoilsaturation.
Youcanharvestitatthecotyledonstageorallowittomatureandgrowtrueleavesforadifferenttexture.
Amaranthisasummercropandpreferstheheat,avoidgrowingitinthewintermonths.
Thetowelmethodworkswellwiththissmallseed.
KeepyourwaterunderapHof7.
HarvestingTips
Harvestclosetothesoil.
Amaranthisverylightweightandisgenerallyusedsolelyasasplashofcolorratherthancontributingtotheweightofamix.
WashingTips
Whenharvestedyoung,amaranthcanbetrickytowash.Itissolightandsmallthattheleavesmayfloatthroughyourfingers.Werecommendusingasmallhand-heldstrainertoprocessthiscrop.Ifyouallowittomature,astrainerwillbeunnecessary.
Itcanbetedioustoseparatethetinybeigeseedhullsfromthemagentagreens.Useyourhandtoremoveanyseedhullsfromthesidesofyourwashingreceptacle.
PossibleChallenges
Overwateringandinconsistenttemperaturescanleadtopoorgerminationandgrowth,aswellasrot.
Takeextracarewiththiscrop.
Amaranthhatesanalkalinesoil,andapHover7willresultinrotting.
OurThoughts
Rangingfrombrightmagentaatitscotyledonstagetoadeeperpurplewhenformingitstrueleaves,amaranthisthekeytoourmostpopularmix.Itisstunningatanystageandcreatesrich,brilliantcontrast.Amaranthmaintainsitsvibrantcolorinbothitsstemandcotyledon,makingitauniqueassettoyourrepertoire.
BriefHistory
NativetotheAmericas,amaranthwasastapletosomeofthegreatcivilizationsofCentralandSouthAmerica.Amaranthwasthoughtofasa“supergrain”andwasrotatedinthefieldswithmaizeandbeans.Sinceitsearlycultivation,amaranthhasseengreatdeclineinitsproduction.Althoughthereasonforthediminishmentofthisnutritiousgrainislargelyuptospeculation,theoriesincludeinconvenientsmall-seedsizeormodernizationinagriculture.AztecloreattributesitsdeclinetoanattemptbytheSpanishconquistadorstoeradicateamaranthbecauseofitskeyroleintraditionalAztecsacrifices.Itisthoughtthatithasprevailedthusfarpartlyduetoitsbeauty.Theentireplantfeaturesanunmistakablevibrantmagentacolornotfoundinmanycropstoday.WhilestillunknownbymuchoftheU.S.population,amaranthhasbegungrowinginpopularitysincethe1980sforitshighproteincontentandoverallhealthbenefits.
Arugula
Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies ErucasativaVarietieswerecommend StandardArugula,AstroTaste Sharp,peppery,spicy
Averagedaystogerminate 2to3daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 5to7daysAverageweightpertray 4to6ouncesDifficulty Easy
GrowingTips
Easyandfasttogrow.
Cangerminateintemperaturesaslowas40degreesF.
Towelmethodhelpswithseedsstickingtoleaves.
TrueleavescanbedifficulttoobtainifpHisover7.
HarvestingTips
Generallyquickandeasytoharvest.
Lackofairflowmakesthiscropsusceptibletorot.Ifrottingoccurs,bemindfultoavoidthesepatcheswhenharvesting.
WashingTips
Canbetedioustowash,especiallyifcoveredwithsoil.
Arugulahasamucilaginousseed,whichmakesitclingtothebottomofitscotyledons.
Werecommendusingthetwo-stagewashingmethod.
Usingthetowelmethodalsohelpspullawayseedhulls.
PossibleChallenges
Arugula’sthinstemmakesitmoreapttofallandmatwhenbeingwatered.Waterlightlyandiftheyfall,gentlybrushthembackup.
Mucilaginousseedcanmakewashingtimeconsuming.
OurThoughts
Oneofthemorecommonmicrogreens,arugula’sspicyflavorandprettyheart-shapedleafmakeitgreatonitsownorasthebaseofamix.Arugula’sstrongfamiliartastealsomakesitagreatadditiontolargersaladmixes.Itsquickgerminationandgrowthmakeitaccessibleforjustaboutanyonetogrow.
BriefHistory
Likemanyotherspicy,pungentvegetables,arugulawasthoughttohaveaphrodisiacqualities.Recordsdateearlyusebacktothefirstcentury.Inadditiontoitspepperyleaves,arugulaseedswerealsoaresourceforaddingtheirdistinctflavortooils.Commonlyreferredtoas“rocket”or“roquette”inEngland,ithasbeenreveredforitsstrongflavorandmedicinalqualities.Withhealthclaimsrangingfromcuringfrecklestoactingasanaturaldeodorant,arugulacertainlyhasmoreallurethanjustasimplesaladgreen.IntheUnitedStates,ithasbecomeincreasinglyfamiliartooureyesandtastebudsasithasgainedpopularityinmoderncookingsincetheearly1990s.
Basil
Family LamiaceaeGenusandspecies OcimumbasilicumVarietieswerecommend DarkOpal,Genovese,SweetItalianTaste Potent,aromaticbasilflavor
Averagedaystogerminate 4to5daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 14to21days
Averageweightpertray 2to4ouncesDifficulty Mediumtodifficult
GrowingTips
Requiressteadywarmtemperatures.
Usingaheatmathelpswithgerminationwhennighttimetemperaturesdrop.
HarvestingTips
Basilisalowgrower.Besuretocutclosetothesoiltokeepthefullplantintact.
Takeyourtimeduringharvesttoavoidcapturingexcesssoilwithyourscissors.
WashingTips
Avoidwashingunlessverydirty.
Basilisaverysensitiveherb.Ifwashedandstoredincoldtemperatures,itwillblacken.Ifyouareusingitimmediately,aquickrinsewon’taffecttheleaves.
Toremoveanydirtcollectedintheharvestingprocess,layyourharvestonacottoncloth.Transferthegreensfromtheclothtoanothercloth.Extradirttendstosticktotheclothinsteadofyourbasil.Youcanrepeatthisprocessseveraltimes,butbesuretohandlethedelicatebasilwithcaretoavoidbruisingtheleaves.
PossibleChallenges
Basilisaverydelicatemicrogreenandbruiseseasily,soitrequiresextracare.
Beingasummercrop,itlikeswarmweatherandwillnottolerategreatfluctuationintemperature.
Whenstoring,besuretokeepplentyofairinthebagstokeepthebasilfrombruisingandblackening.
OurThoughts
Microbasilisgorgeous.Greenvarietiesoffersignaturebasilflavorinminiatureform.Itisabeautifulaccenttomanydishesandcanevenbeincorporatedintodesserts.Purplebasilcanbeusedonitsownormixedwithgreentowowyoureyesandyourtastebuds.Onceyouhaveovercomesomeofthechallengesofgrowingmicrobasil,youwillfindthatitmakesordinarydishesextraordinaryandneverdisappointsinflavor.
BriefHistory
Basilinsomeform,freshordried,canbefoundinmostkitchenstoday.ItisafairlyversatileherbthathasfounditswayintorecipesfromItaliantoThaicooking.Arelativeofmint,itisthoughttohaveoriginatedinAfricaandAsiaoverfivethousandyearsago,eventuallymakingitswaytotheUnitedStatesbytheearlyseventeenthcentury.Basil’sstrongflavorhasmadeitthecenterofmanydifferentfablesandfolklore.Forsomereasonthereseemstobeastrangeconnectionbetweenbasilandscorpions.Medicinally,itwasthoughtthatbasilcouldtreatascorpionsting.Itwasalsocommonthoughtthatifyouleftabasilleafunderapot,itmightturnintoascorpionitselforthatsimplyeatingbasilmightcausescorpionstogrowinyourbrain!InItaly,itisthoughtofasasymboloflove,whileinMexico,itissaidthatbasilwillensurealover’seyedoesn’twander.Boththeleafandtheseedhavebeenusedmedicinally.Ithasbeenthoughttobeacureformanyailments,fromintestinalissuestowarts.Eventoday,researchhasbeendoneonbasil’santi-inflammatoryandantibacterialeffects.Italsocontainsspecialcomponentscalledflavonoidsthatofferprotectionatacellularlevel.Basilhasproventobeanassettobothyourkitchencupboardandmedicinecabinet.
Beet
Family ChenopodiaceaeGenusandspecies BetavulgarisVarietieswerecommend RubyQueen,DetroitRed,RedAceTaste Earthy
Averagedaystogerminate 4to6daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 8to12daysAverageweightpertray 5to7ouncesDifficulty Mediumtodifficult
GrowingTips
Soakingbeetseedsfor24hourshelpswithgerminationrateandspeed.
Addingateaspoonofliquidkelptothewaterisbeneficial.
Bestresultsoftenoccurifthefirstpressingofthesoilisskipped.Afterbroadcastingtheseeds,pressthemlightlyintotheloosesoil,andthencoverwithatowelorsoil.
Makesurethatthislargeseediscompletelycoveredsoitstaysmoist.
Toobtaingreatgermination,keepyourbeetatasteadytemperature.
Aftergermination,avoidkeepingsoiltoomoist.
KeepyourpHunder7.
HarvestingTips
Ifmostoftheseedlingsstillhaveseedhullsattachedtotheirleaves,waitafewmoredaystoharvest.
Thelargeknobbyseedsthatremaincanbegentlypulledoffbeforeharvesting.
Featurethebrightstemofthebeetbycuttingclosetothesoil.
WashingTips
Beet’slargeseedsareeasytoseeinthewashwater.Whenharvestedyoung,youwillfindmanyseedhullsstucktotheleaves.Removingthemcanbetimeconsumingbutcanbegreatlyreducedbybeingdiligentwhileharvesting.
Werecommendthetwo-stagewashingmethodtobesuretoremoveallhulls.
PossibleChallenges
Beetrequiresextraattention;monitoryourpHtoavoidrot.
Overwateringwillresultinrotting.
OurThoughts
Redbeet’svibrantstemisunmistakable.Itisstunningasasinglecroporbeautifulasabrightaccentinanymix.Bull’sBloodisthemostwidelyknownvarietygrownformicrogreensandalsooneofthemostexpensive.WhileBull’sBloodyieldsarichlycoloredstemandanicegreen,wehavefoundthatRubyQueenisareasonablypricedalternativethatofferssimilarqualities.
BriefHistory
ThebeetoriginatedintheMediterraneanregion,whereitwasusedmedicinallybeginningbeforethewrittenword.BeetswereoftenusedinRomantimesforfeverandconstipation.Calledthe“bloodturnip”inthenineteenthcentury,beetswerealsowildcraftedfortheirleaves.Anyonewhohaseatenthemodern-daybeetmightnoticeitsdistinctlyearthytaste;thisisduetospecialmicrobiallifeinthesoilthatcreatesanorganiccompoundcalledgeosmin.
Broccoli
Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies Brassicaoleracea
Varietieswerecommend StandardBroccoli,DiCicco,Waltham
Taste CabbagelikeAveragedaystogerminate 3to4daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 5to7days
Averageweightpertray 5to7ouncesDifficulty Easy
GrowingTips
Oneoftheeasiermicrogreenstogrow.
Sowthicklyforheavyyields.
Itcangetwoodyifallowedtogrowtotrueleafstage.
HarvestingTips
Easyandquicktoharvest.
Cuthighonthestemtokeepabalancedratioofleaftostem.
WashingTips
Easyandquicktowash.
Oftenrequiresonlyonerinse.
Seedhullswillgravitatetotheedgesofthewashingtubforeasyremoval.
PossibleChallenges
Nonethatwehavefound.
OurThoughts
Broccoli’srichdarkgreensareaniceadditiontoanymixorarebeautifulontheirown.Broccolimicrogreens,alongwithothercruciferousvegetables,offermanycancerfightingproperties.TheycontainDIM(diindolylmethane)whichhasbeenshowntoprovidehormonalbalance,animportantfactorinhuman
health.AddingthesemicrogreenstoyourdietisaneasywaytoobtaindigestibleDIM.
BriefHistory
Broccolioriginatedfromwildcabbage,whichisnativetopartsofEurope.ItisnotcertainwhetherornotRomanscultivatedit,butitisclearthatitwasbeingenjoyedinItalywellbeforetherestoftheworld.BroccoliisderivedfromtheItalianwordfor“arm”(braccio).Formuchofitsearlyhistory,broccoliwasoftenconfusedwithitsparentplantcauliflower.Becauseofthislackofclarity,itshistoryisnotverywelldocumented.Calledsproutedorasparagusbroccoli,earlycultivarsresembledmoreofabroccolirabethanthetighttreelikestalkswerecognizetoday.ItdidnotmakeittoNorthAmericauntiltheearlynineteenthcenturywhenitwasbroughtbyItalianimmigrants,andittookanothercenturyforittobecomewidelyknownandaccepted.
PurpleCabbage
Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies BrassicaoleraceaVarietieswerecommend RedAcre,RedMammoth,O.P.RedTaste Distinctivemildcabbageflavor
Averagedaystogerminate 3to5daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 4to7days
Averageweightpertray 4to6ouncesDifficulty Easy
GrowingTips
Somevarietieshaveamorevividpurplecolorthanothers.
Coldorheatstresscancreatedeeperpurpleshades.
Becomeslesspurplewithage.
Whenharvestedyoung,cabbagehasasweeterflavorandamoretendertexture.
HarvestingTips
Veryeasytoharvest.
Ifthereisanyrotorsoilinyourharvest,thedarkerpurplecolorcanmakeitmoredifficulttospot.
WashingTips
Becauseofcabbage’sdarkpurplecolor,seedhullscanbedifficulttospot.
Again,spottingblackenedleavesfromrotcanbechallengingduetotheleaf’sdarkcolor.Thetwo-stagewashingmethodcanbehelpfultosavetimeandyoureyes.
Whenwashingahealthyrot-freetrayofcabbage,itisquickandeasy,oftenrequiringonlyoneortworinses.
PossibleChallenges
Cabbage’sdarkcolorcanhideleafflaws.Whilethisisnotaconsiderationforthehomegrower,itcanslowdownwashingfortheseller.
OurThoughts
Cabbage’srichpurplecotyledonsandlightpurplestemmakeituniqueandbeautiful.Ithasamildcabbageflavor,makingitperfectasabaseforamix.Pairedwithbrightyellowsandthemagentaofamaranth,cabbagemakesforabeautifulcanvasforlightcolorstopop.Cabbagemicrogreens,alongwithothercruciferousvegetables,offermanycancerfightingproperties.TheycontainDIM(diindolylmethane)whichhasbeenshowntoprovidehormonalbalance,animportantfactorinhumanhealth.AddingthesemicrogreenstoyourdietisaneasywaytoobtaindigestibleDIM.
BriefHistory
Cabbage’sancestrylinksittoitswildformthatresembledamodern-daykalebecauseofthelackofitssignaturetighthead.Wildcabbageisprehistoric.Believedtohavebeencultivatedforthousandsofyears,ithasservedasbothfoodandmedicine.CabbagewasusedonshipsasapreventativeagainstscurvybecauseofitshighlevelsofvitaminC.HailedasacureforahangoverinRomantimesandusedasananti-fungalandanti-inflammatory,itsmedicinalscopeisbroadreaching.Alongwithitshealthclaims,cabbagehasbeenaninexpensivestapleenjoyedbymanyearlyEuropeans.Varietiesrangeinsize,color,andappearance.Purpleorredtypescanbeusedfordying,creatingafairlycolorfastsolutionfordarkpurpleusingnaturalsources.
Celery
Family ApiaceaeGenusandspecies ApiumgraveolensVarietieswerecommend Utah,StandardCuttingCeleryTaste Surprisinglystrongceleryflavor
Averagedaystogerminate 5to7daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 14to17daysAverageweightpertray 2to4ouncesDifficulty Easytomedium
GrowingTips
Celeryisaslowgrower.Itcanbeslowtogerminateandslowtomature.
Becauseofitstinycotyledons,itisacropyouwilldefinitelywanttogrowtoitstrueleafstage.
Adelicatecrop,celerycanbeeasilystunted.Whenoptimalconditionsarecompromised,itcanbegintoyellowandstopgrowing.
Keepceleryinconsistenttemperatures.
Becauseofitssmallseedsize,thetowelmethodworkswell.
KeepyourpHunder7.
HarvestingTips
Harvestclosetothesoil.
Celerymicrosarecompactandverylightweight.
Cutbelowthecotyledonstomakesureyouareharvestingtheentireseedlingwithitstrueleaf.
WashingTips
Putonyourspectaclesforthisone—celerymicrosarequitedaintyandoftenholdontotheirseedhulls.
Itcanbechallengingtogetallofthelittleredceleryseedhullsoutofyourwashwater.Thiscroptakespatienceandakeeneye.
Thetwo-stagewashingmethodwithacoupleofextrarinsesisrecommended.
PossibleChallenges
StuntedgrowthandyellowingmayoccurifpHisover7.
OurThoughts
Celeryisworthgrowingforflavoralone.Althoughitdoesn’tweighmuchforthecommercialgrower,itisaninterestingandzestycropthatisoftenahitwithchefsorhomecooks.Celerytakespatienceinallstages,butintheend,itdoesn’tdisappoint.
BriefHistory
CeleryisanancientvegetablethoughttohaveoriginatedintheMediterraneanarea.NativevarietieshavebeenfoundfromAsiaMinortothesoutherntipofSouthAmerica,makingithardtobesure.IthasbeenfoundinEgyptiantombs,wornbyGreekathletes,andusedmedicinallybymanycultures.CeleryseedwasusedinAyurvedicmedicineforeverythingfromcoldstoarthritis.Throughcultivation,wildcelery’sunappealingbittertastewastamedandslowlystartedbeingappreciatedasaculinaryasset.Bytheearlyeighteenthcentury,celeryhadfounditswayintothesoupsandbrothsofEngland,Italy,andFrance.
Chard
Family ChenopodiaceaeGenusandspecies BetavulgarisVarietieswerecommend RainbowMix,RubyRedTaste Similartobeetgreensbutsweeter
Averagedaystogerminate 4to6daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 8to12daysAverageweightpertray 4to6ouncesDifficulty Medium
GrowingTips
Soakingchardseedsfor24hourshelpswithgerminationrateandspeed.
Addingateaspoonofliquidkelptothewaterisbeneficial.
Bestresultsoftenoccurifthefirstpressingofthesoilisskipped.Afterbroadcastingtheseeds,pressthemlightlyintotheloosesoil,andthencoverwithatowelorsoil.
Makesurethatthislargeseediscompletelycoveredsoitstaysmoist.
Toobtaingreatgermination,keepyourchardatasteadytemperature.
Aftergermination,avoidkeepingsoiltoomoist.
KeepyourpHunder7.
HarvestingTips
Ifmostoftheseedlingsstillhaveseedhullsattachedtotheirleaves,waitafewmoredaystoharvest.
Thelargeknobbyseedsthatremaincanbegentlypulledoffbeforeharvesting.
Featurethebrightstemofthebeetbycuttingclosetothesoil.
WashingTips
Chard’slargeseedsareeasytoseeinthewashwater.Whenharvestedyoung,youwillfindmanyseedhullsstucktotheleaves.Removingthemcanbetimeconsuming,butthiscanbegreatlyreducedbybeingdiligentwhileharvesting.
Werecommendthetwo-stagewashingmethodtobesuretoremoveallhulls.
PossibleChallenges
Chardrequiresextraattention;monitoryourpHtoavoidrot.
Overwateringwillresultinrotting.
OurThoughts
Chard,withitsunobtrusiveflavor,addsacolorfulflairtoanydish.Thevarietyofcolorsintherainbowmixmakesitpopularwithchefs.Rainbowmixisniceonitsownorasanadditiontoanymix.Anyoftheindividualcolorsintherainbowmixareavailablefrommostseedsources.Thismakesitpossibletocustomizeyourchardmix,isolatingthecolorsthatyouprefer.
BriefHistory
Chardandbeetsharethesamegenusandspecies.Thisisbecausetheyoriginatefromthesameplant,wildseabeet.Ashasbeendoneforcenturies,farmershaveaccentuateddifferentpartsofaplantthroughselectivepropagation.Insteadofaccentuatingitsroot,chardhasbeenallowedtogrowbroadleavesthatcanbeusedforcookingoreatenraw.Recordsdateearlycultivationbackto350BC.GreeksarethoughttohavecultivatedtheBetavulgarisspeciesforitsleafby400BC.TradedallovertheMediterranean,itwasenjoyedinamassofcolorsandvarieties.Specificsonitsmedicinalusearenotverywelldocumented,butitisthoughttohavebeenusedchieflyforitsmedicinalpropertiesinancienttimes.
Cilantro(Coriander)
Family ApiaceaeGenusandspecies CoriandrumsativumVarietieswerecommend StandardCilantro,SantoTaste Verypotentflavorandaroma
Averagedaystogerminate 5to7daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 10to14daysAverageweightpertray 3to5ouncesDifficulty Mediumtodifficult
GrowingTips
Cilantroseedsoldwithsplitseedhullshasasubstantiallyhighergerminationrate.
Ifsplitseedsareused,thetowelmethodiseffective.Seedsthatarenotsplitshouldbecoveredwithsoil.
HarvestingTips
Beforeharvesting,takethetimetopulloffexcessseedhullsfromthegreens.Thiswillsaveyoutimewhenwashing.
Makesureandallowtogrowtothetrueleafstage.
WashingTips
Generallyeasytowash,requiringonlyoneortworinses.
Watchoutforlargeseedhullsthattendtoremainattachedtothetipsofthegreens.
Becarefulnottooverdry.
PossibleChallenges
Ifusingwholeseeds,itcanbedifficulttoobtaindensegerminationandgoodyields.
OurThoughts
Microcilantroisabeautiful,uniquemicrogreenpopularwithchefs.Itboastssuchstrongaromathatitcanoverwhelmotherflavors.Werecommendusingitaloneversusaddingittoamix.Althoughsometimesdifficulttogrowand
achievegoodyields,itmakesanicespecialtymicrogreentooffer.Findingasourceofsplitcilantroseedscanhelpyouachievesuccesswiththiscrop.
BriefHistory
Cilantro,alsoknownascoriander,isoneoftheworld’soldestspices.Spanningfrom5000BCtomoderntimes,ithasbeenusedmedicinallyandculinarilyaroundtheworld.ItisthoughttobenativetoSouthernEuropebuthasbeenknowninAsiaforthousandsofyears.China,India,Egypt,Greece,andRomealluseditinancienttimesforbothitsseedandleaf.Thisstrongherbhasbeenusedtoeaselaborpainsaswellastoreduceflatulence.Manyculturesbelieveittobeanaphrodisiacand,iftakeninlargedoses,itcanevenactasanarcotic.Itisalsoveryeffectiveinthechelationofheavymetalsoutofthebody.SomerecordsreportcilantromakingitswaytotheNorthAmericancoloniesbythelateseventeenthcentury.
(Garden)Cress
Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies LepidiumsativumVarietieswerecommend Presto,Cressida(Curly)Taste Tangy,veryspicy
Averagedaystogerminate 2to3daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 8to10daysAverageweightpertray 3to5ouncesDifficulty Medium
GrowingTips
Cresshasamucilaginousseed.Thismakesthetowelmethodespeciallyusefulforpullingoffseedhullsandavoidingexcesssoilwhenwashing.
Fairlylightweight;sowthicklyforbiggeryields.
Ifthetowelisremovedearlyinthegerminationprocess,youwillpulloutmuchofthestill-germinatingseed.Waitanotherdaytoremovethetoweluntilrootshaveset.
HarvestingTips
Thestemsandcotyledonsofcressbreakeasily,sobegentlewhenharvesting.
Beawareofsoilclumpingonthebaseofthestem.Whenharvesting,simplycuthighenoughtoavoidit.
WashingTips
Canbequicktowashiftowelmethodisused,usuallyrequiringonetotworinses.
Ifsoilisusedtocoverthecressseed,youwillfinddirtandseedhullsstucktothegreens.Thismakeswashingverytimeconsumingandrequiresseveralrinsesevenwhenusingthetwo-stagewashingmethod.
PossibleChallenges
Slowandtedioustowashifsoilisusedtocover.
Willstarttoyellowandrotifitcontinuestogrowpastitspeak.
Iseasilyoverdried.Bemindfultofluffoftenifusingafantodry.Fluffbygentlyturningthegreenssothatwhatwasonthebottomgetsputontopandwhatwasonthetopgetsputonthebottom.
Duetoitsdelicatenature,cresshasashortshelflife.Useanairtightbagorcontainerwhenstoringtoavoidrapiddegradation.
OurThoughts
Thislittlegreenpacksalotofspiceforitssize.Itisdeliciousinsaladdressingsandaddsflairtowrapsandsandwiches.Althoughitcanbechallengingtokeepitlookingfreshandvibrantwhenstoring,itmakesaniceadditiontothehomegrower’spallet.Avoidaddingittoamixasitmaydegradefasterthanyourotheringredients.
BriefHistory
Gardencress,alsoreferredtoaspeppercress,isrelatedtobothcommonwatercressandmustard.Asevidentfromitsname,ithasastrongpepperyflavor,makingitpopularasafreshadditiontosandwichesandsalads.Thelineageofgardencresshasbeenidentifiedbythevarietyoflanguagesinwhichitisdescribed.Recordsdateitsearlyusebackto400BCbythePersians.Alongwithhelpingwithdigestiveandparasiticissues,peppercresshasahostofothermedicinalproperties.Itisknowntobothrepelinsectsandhelpwithinsectbites.Itsstimulatingqualitieshavemadeitknownforbeinganappetitestimulantandaphrodisiac.Otherhealthclaimsrangefromstoppinghairlosstoprotectingagainstleprosy.Cressenjoyedaroyalstatureinthemiddleages,preparedwithbreadandeateninsalads.GardencresswasbroughttotheAmericasbythelatesixteenthcentury.
Endive
Family AsteraceaeGenusandspecies CichoriumendiviaVarietieswerecommend BiancaRiccia,RuffeaTaste Pleasantlybitter
Averagedaystogerminate 3to5daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 8to12daysAverageweightpertray 3to5ouncesDifficulty Medium
GrowingTips
Cangerminateandgrowincoldconditions.
Oversowingcanleadtostuntedgrowth.
CanbepHsensitive,sotrytokeepitunder7.
HarvestingTips
Endivedoesn’tproducealongstemlikemostotherseedlingsbutinsteadstaysshortandwide,soyouwillwanttoharvestclosetothesoil.
Duetohowcloselyendivegrowstothesoil,it’seasytocatchalotofdirtwithyourgreensduringharvest.Toavoidthis,useasmallerpairofscissorsandtakeyourtimeharvesting.
WashingTips
Generally,thisisacropyouwillwanttotakeyourtimewith.Itoftentakesatleasttwowashestogetclean.
Ifusinginamix,washseparately.
PossibleChallenges
Intheheatofthesummer,endiveleavescanburnifleftinthemiddaysun.Toavoidburning,donotwatermiddayandkeepyourgreensoutofdirectsunlightwhenthesunisatitsstrongest.
Birdslovethisseed.Ifourendivetraysarenotcoveredwithlids,eveninthegreenhouse,ourlocalsongbirdswillpeelbackthepapertowelsanddevourallthegerminatingseed.(Theyseemtobeconnoisseursoftheendiveseedinparticularanddon’tbotherwithourotherseedvarieties.)
Endive’sgrowthcanbeaffectedbyyourwater’spH,soithelpstokeepitunder7.
OurThoughts
Endivecanprovideinterestingvariationinanymicromix.Itsuniqueleafshapeandboldbitterflavorcreatevaryingtextureandcontrast.Itscotyledonsandtrueleaveslooksimilartolettuce,butendiveismuchhardierasamicrogreen.
BriefHistory
Endive,escarole,andchicoryareallnamesforthisbitter,nutritioussaladgreen.Likemanyvegetables,itwasoriginallyfoundgrowingwildandwasusedmedicinally.TheEgyptians,Greeks,andRomansallrecognizedendiveforitsstimulatingeffectontheliver.Ithasalsobeensaidtobeaneffectivesedativeandappetitestimulant.Itsuniqueflavorwasacatalystforitsearlycultivation,whichbeganinthemid-sixteenthcenturyinEngland.WhileitisunclearwhenendivebeganbeingcultivatedintheUnitedStates,therearerecordsofsomeformofendivegrowinginUnitedStatesgardensbytheearlynineteenthcentury.Todaythereareseveralvarietiesbeingcultivated.Manygrowerschoosetoblanchthisplantforafewweeksbeforeharvesting.Thiscreatesa“whitening”ofitsheartthatlendsamoretendertextureandlessbittertaste.Othertypesofendive,suchasBiancaRiccia,areoftengrownasa“cut-and-come-again”saladingredientandhaveabrightyellowcurlyleafwithamildlybitterflavor.
Mustard
Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies BrassicajunceaVarietieswerecommend RedGiant,RubyStreaks,GarnetRedTaste Mildlyspicy
Averagedaystogerminate
3to4days
Averagedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 6to10days
Averageweightpertray RedGiantandGarnetRed,4to6ounces,RubyStreaksandCrimsonTide,4to8ounces
Difficulty Easy
GrowingTips
Easytoobtaintrueleaves.
Coldweatherhardy.
HarvestingTips
Toshowcasethecolorofthecotyledons,youwillwanttocuthighontheirwhitestems.
Fastandeasytoharvest.
WashingTips
Mustard’smanysmallseedhullstendtocollectontheedgesofyourtub.
Onewashisusuallysufficient.
PossibleChallenges
Mustard’scotelydonscanyellowifallowedtogrowfortoolong.
OurThoughts
Thegreensofthemustardfamilyarecolorful,hearty,andeasytogrow.MustardisagreatadditiontoanyAsianmix.Itsdependabilityingerminationandyieldmakeitanassettoanygrowingrepertoire.Therearemanyvarietiesofmustardtochoosefromandeachlookdistinct.Mizuna,CrimsonTide,andRubyStreaksallofferatooth-shapedleafwithvaryingcolors.GarnetRedandRedGianthave
aroundedleafwithdeepcontrastingcolors.Mustardsrangefromgreentodeeppurple,makingthemaverydiversecrop.Theyareverytasty,offeringmildtospicyflavor.
BriefHistory
Knownforitsfierynature,mustarddatesbackfivethousandyears.Itisoneofthefewplantsthathavebeencultivatedforbothitsseedandleaf.MustardasacondimentevolvedfromapastecreatedbytheGreeks.Alongwithitsintenseflavor,mustardalsoyieldsmedicinalbenefits.Itwassaidtohelpwiththestingofascorpionaswellastoserveasapoulticeforvariousailments.Theleafofthemustardhasbeenusedeverywhereincooking,fromChinatotheUnitedStates,anditremainspopularforitsflavorandnutritionalvalue.Mustardisn’texemptfromitsownlore.ItwassaidtogiveaGermanbridepowerinherhouseholdifsewnintothehemofherweddingdressandthoughttoprovideprotectionfromevilspirits.
PacChoi
Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies BrassicarapaVarietieswerecommend Kinkoh(Yellow),RedChoiTaste Sweetfullflavor
Averagedaystogerminate 3to4daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 7to10daysAverageweightpertray 8to10ouncesDifficulty Easy
GrowingTips
LikealloftheAsiangreenswehaveexperimentedwith,wehavefoundpacchoitobebothhardyandeasytogrow.
Themoredirectsunlightitreceives,thedeeperitsredcolor(whengrowingredpacchoi).
HarvestingTips
Harvestaninchabovethesoil.
Givesheavyyieldsandisquicktoharvest.
WashingTips
Washingisquickandeasy.
Thesmallblackseedsareeasytoseeandremove.
Onerinseisusuallysufficient.
PossibleChallenges
Nonethatwehavefound.
OurThoughts
WearehappytohaveanarrayofAsiangreensavailabletous.Theyneverdisappointandyieldsturdy,stronggreenswithheavyweightsandgoodstructure.Theycanbesowndenselyandlookbeautifulwithorwithouttheirtrueleaf.Aredvarietyisavailablethathasavariegatedgreenandredleaf.Redpacchoiisacropthatbenefitsfromthecold.Itscotyledonsandtrueleavestransformfromalightsmokypurpletoadeepmarooninthecoldermonths.If
growingpacchoiinside,youmaywanttoexposeittothecolderoutsideairadayortwobeforeyouharvesttosimulatethechangeinweather.KinkohpacchoiissimilartoTokyoBekanaandfeaturesabrilliantyellowcotyledonandroundedleaf.Italsoboastsasweettastethatmakesitgreatasabaseofamix.
BriefHistory
CommonnamesforpacchoiarebokchoyandChinesecabbage.IthasalsobeendescribedasChinesechard,Chinesemustard,andcelerymustard.AlthoughbothareidentifiedasBrassicarapa,itisdistinctlydifferentfromitscloserelativenapacabbage.NativetoChina,recordsdateitsuseincookingbackoversixthousandyears.WhileearlycultivationconfineditchieflytoAsia,pacchoiisnowusedandavailableallovertheworld.
Pea
Family Leguminosae(Fabaceae)Genusandspecies PisumsativumVarietieswerecommend DwarfSugarGreyTaste Sweetfreshpeaflavor
Averagedaystogerminate 3to5daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 5to7daysAverageweightpertray 8to12ouncesDifficulty Easy
GrowingTips
Easytogrow.
Coverseedswithsoil,makingsuretheydonotbecomeexposedoncewatered.
Peaisacool-weathercrop.Inspringandfall,tendrilswillbesweet,small,andcompact(3to4inches).
Ifgrowninthesummer,besuretokeepthemintheshade.Withoutshade,peashootscanlosetheirdarkcolorandsweetflavor.
Sproutedpeaseedsmakeatastytreatforcritters.Ifgrowingthemoutside,keepthemcoveredandofftheground.
HarvestingTips
Veryeasytoharvest.
Ifallowedtogrowtoolarge,cuthighonthestem.
WashingTips
Onequickrinseissufficient.
Peatendrilstendtorepelwater,makingthemquicktodry.
PossibleChallenges
Afavoritewiththerodents.
Summerheatcaneffectgrowthandflavor.
OurThoughts
Whethergrowingforthehomeortosell,peashootsareanexcellentcrop.Easytoharvestandprocess,theymakeagreatadditiontoanysaladandmakeabeautifulgarnish.Theirfreshspringtasteisatreatinthewintermonths.Peaspreferacoolerclimate,makingthemlosesomeoftheirsweetnessinthesummer.
BriefHistory
Peashaveavastandvariedhistory.Forsuchasmallvegetable,theyhavemadequiteanimpactontheworld.AccordingtoNorsemythology,Thorsentdragonstofillthevillagewellswithpeasasapunishment.Thedragons,beingsloppyintheirtask,droppedpeasontothesoil,whichthengerminatedandgrew.Tohonor(andnotupset)Thor,theNorsepeoplecultivatedthepeasandatethemonlyonThor’sday(Thursday).PeasmadetheirwaythoughFrenchandBritishcookingandplayedakeyroleinsustainingnutritionincolonialtimesintheUnitedStates.Theybridgedthegapbetweenrichandpoor.Canned,frozen,orfresh,peascontinuetobeapartoftheAmericandiet.
Radish
Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies RaphanussativusVarietieswerecommend HongVit,ChinaRoseTaste Potentspicyflavor
Averagedaystogerminate 3to4daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 6to8daysAverageweightpertray 8to10ouncesDifficulty Easy
GrowingTips
Justasradishesareknownforhoweasilyandquicklytheygrowinthegarden,microradishesarenoexception.
Theydonotrequireanyspecialattentionandalwaysperform.
Radish’slargeseedscanbecoveredwithsoilortowels.
HarvestingTips
Ifharvestedattheoptimaltime,theywillremaintenderandkeeptheirvibrantstemcolor.
Iftheyareallowedtogrowpasttheirprime,theywillbecomewoodyandtoughwithoversizedcotyledons.
Harvestlowonthestemtofeatureitsbeautifulcolor.
WashingTips
Generallyeasytowash.
Occasionallyyoumaynoticethatsomeoftheleaveshaveblackspotsonthem.Thisissomethingtolookoutforinthewashingprocess.
Youwillfindanabundanceofseedhullsinyourwashwaterwiththiscrop.Theyarelargeandlightandwillfloattothetopofyourtub.Simplyuseyourhandtoskimthesurfaceandremovethem.Repeatthisstepuntilalloftheseedhullsareremoved.Thetwo-stagewashingmethodcanbehelpfulifyoufindthatseedhullsarehidingundertheleaves.
PossibleChallenges
Ifgrowninshade,HongVit’ssignaturepurplestemcanloseitsdeepcolor.Fullsunwillhelpachieveoptimalstemcolor.Exposingradishtocoldertemperatureswillalsohelpwiththis.
ChinaRoseseedqualitycanvarygreatly.Wehavegrownseedsthatproducedanywherefromwhitetorichpinkstems.Whilefullsunandcoldstresswillhelpwithitscolor,someseedsdon’tseemtobeabletomakenicepinkstems.
Lower-qualityChinaRoseseedwillproduceanabundanceofblackspotsonitscotyledons.
OurThoughts
HongVitradishisafavorite.Wehavefoundthatthestunningcontrastofitsdarkgreencotyledonstoitsvibrantpurplestemtobebothbeautifulasasinglecroporasasplashofcolorandspicetoanymix.
BriefHistory
Radishisperhapsmostwellknowntodayforhoweasyitistogrow.Becausetheradishisquicktogerminateandfasttofruit,beginnergardenershavelittletroubleaddingittotheirgrowingrepertoire.Whiletheradish’sexactoriginisdisputed,theChinesehavebeengrowingitforthousandsofyears.TheEgyptiansintegratedradishesintotheirdietandenjoyedthemearlyintheircivilization.Whileweareusedtosmallredbeauties,oldEuropeanvarietiesrangedfromwhitetoredandhavebeenrecordedtoweighasmuchasonehundredpounds.RadisheswereoneoftheearliercropscultivatedbysettlersinNorthAmerica,recordedtohavebeengrowingbythemid-seventeenthcentury.
TokyoBekana
Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies Brassicarapa(chinensisgroup)Varietieswerecommend TokyoBekanaTaste Sweetlettuceflavor
Averagedaystogerminate 3to4daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 7to10daysAverageweightpertray 8to10ouncesDifficulty Easy
GrowingTips
TokyoBekanaisahardyAsiangreen.
Itisbeautifulatitscotyledonstagebutalsoproducesanattractivetrueleaf.
Putsontrueleavesquickly.
HarvestingTips
Harvestaninchabovethesoil.
Givesheavyyieldsandisquicktoharvest.
WashingTips
Washingiseasywiththiscropandonerinseisusuallysufficient.
Itssmall,darkseedhullscontrastwiththeyellowcotyledons,makingthemeasytoseeandremove.
PossibleChallenges
Duringthesummermonths,Tokyo’sbrightyellowturnstoalightgreen.
Growthcanbeuneven.
OurThoughts
ThisAsiangreeniseasytogrowandproducesadensetrayofbrightcotyledons.Itisreliableandconsistent,makingitagreatbaseformixes.WearealwayslookingforacontrastingvividyellowforthevariousmixesthatweofferourchefsandhavebeenveryhappywithTokyoBekana.Itssweetflavor
complementsanyspicyorbitterflavorsyoumightaddtoamix.Asthisseedcanbeextremelyexpensive,takethetimetoresearchbeforepurchasing.
BriefHistory
TokyoBekanasharesaverysimilarhistorywithpacchoi.Bothvarietiesarethoughttohavebeencultivatedforoversixthousandyears,originatinginAsia.TokyoBekanaisaChinesecabbageadaptedandbredbytheJapanese.Itcarriessimilarcharacteristicstoanapacabbagebutfeaturesalightyellowleafandmoredelicatetexture.PerhapsthespecificcultivationofTokyoBekana,alsocalledpeitsai,beganaftertheparentspecies,Brassicarapa,wasbroughtfromChinabacktoJapanaftersoldiersreturnedfromtheRusso-JapaneseWar.
CompostingAfteryouhavecutyourtrayofgreens,youwillbeleftwithaflatofsoil,fulloffibrousstemsandroots.Sinceyouhavecutyourgreensbelowtheircotyledons,theywillnotgrowforasecondtime.However,takingyourtraysofusedearthandtransformingthemintoarichsoilisveryeasy.
Vegetablesgrownonfarmsandingardenscanbeclassifiedbyhowheavilytheyfeedonthesoil.Unlikevegetablesthataregrowinginthesoilforlongperiodsoftime,microgreensaregrowingforonlyaweekortwo.Thisshortcycleresultsinlittletaxationofthenutrientsinthesoil.Eventhoughyoursoilhasbeenusedonceforgrowingmicrogreens,itisstillalivewithbiologicallife,organicmatter,traceminerals,andnutrients.Afterbeingamendedandcomposted,itcanbeusedtojumpstartasmallgardenplotortogrowanothercropofgreens.
Ifyouareunableduetospaceortime,ornotinterestedincomposting,thereareseveraloptionsforspreadingthewealthofyoursoil.Ifyouliveinanurbanarea,seekoutacommunitygarden.Storeyoursoilinfive-gallonbucketsortrashbagsanddeliverittothegardenonceaweek.Otheroptionsincludefriends’andneighbors’gardensoralocalschooldoingagardenprojectwiththeirstudents.Anotherpossibilitythatislessinvolvedthancreatingacompostheapisfillingafewlargeflowerpotswithyourusedsoil.Sprinklealayerofalfalfaorkelp(bothofwhichcanbepurchasedatanylocalnursery)andlayerinyoursoil.Keepingitmoist,letitbreakdownforafewweekstoacoupleofmonths,dependingonweatherconditions.Whenyounoticethattherootshaveincorporatedintothesoil,plantaflower,vegetable,orkitchenherbinthepot!
Withsomanymethodsofcompostingoutthere,theideaofmakingyourowncompostcanseemdaunting.Withourbusylives,itmayseemlikejustonemorethingtodo.Inthischapter,wewillshowyouhowcompostingcanbeeasy,quick,andevenenjoyable.Compostingcanbeespeciallyfunandeducationalforyoungchildren.Beingapartofthetransformationofsoilisbothrewardingandfascinating.Thisisanotherareainwhichexperimentingisdefinitelyencouraged.Don’tletsomeonetellyouthereisonlyonewaytomakegreatcompost.Followingafewsimpleguidelineswillallowyoutointegratecompostingintoyourlifewithease.Theultimateformofrecycling,compostingallowsyoutotransformyourkitchenscraps,yardwaste,andusedmicrogreentraysintorich,healthysoil.
Thecompostpileisanassettoanyhomeorgarden.Itisbasicallyalayeredheapmadeupofjustaboutanyavailableorganicmaterial,suchasgrassclippings,leaves,hay,straw,kitchenscraps,harvestedmicrogreentrays,andevenpapertowels.Creatingacompostpileallowsyoutoevenlybreakdownthesematerialsintorich,darksoilthatisteemingwithbiologicallife.
Ifyouweretoletanyorganicmaterialsitaroundforlongenoughoutside,itwouldeventuallybreakdownandbecomesoil.Justlooktotheforestandyoucanseethishappeningeveryday.Aftertreesdroptheirleaves,theleavesslowlybreakdowntobecomethesoilthatthenenrichesthetreesthemselves;evenafallentreewilleventuallydothesame.
Innature,theprocessofdecayinghappensduetotheactivityofmicrobiallife.Fromwormstobacteriaandfungi,thesoilissofulloflifethatitishardtotrulycomprehend.Ithasbeensaidthatthereismorelifeinaspoonfulofhealthysoilthanhumanscurrentlylivingontheplanet.Dependingonitsfertility,thenumberofmicrobesinatablespoonofsoilvariesfrommillionstobillions.Iftheconditionsinacompostheapareideal,theirnumbersareunimaginable.Likeyouandme,biologicallifeneedsair,moisture,food,andwarmthtothrive.
Air
Asthemicrobesaredigestingthecomponentsofyourcompostpile,theyarealsoconsumingoxygen.Whenbuildingyourpile,itishelpfultolayerincoarsematerial,suchasleaves,straw,hay,etc.Thiscreatespocketsofairthatincreasecirculationandallowforfasterdecomposition.Afterafewweeksyouwillnoticeyourheapwillstarttoshrinkasthemicrobesuseuptheavailableoxygen.
Tokeepthedigestionofthepileontrack,youwillwanttoturnitregularly.Ifyoufindthatyoudonothaveasupplyofcoarsematerialavailable,turningyourpilemorefrequentlycanbehelpful.
Moisture
Whentryingtoobtainthepropermoistureinyourpile,imaginearung-outsponge.Ifyouweretosqueezeahandfulofyourcompost,youshouldgetonlyoneortwodropsofwater.Thekeyhereisforthepiletofeelmoist,notwet.Saturatedsoilreducestheamountofairavailabletothemicrobes.Eachtimeyouaddnewmaterialtoyourpile,gentlyandevenlywaterit.Thiswillhelpmaintainpropermoisturethroughoutthepile.Ifthepilegetstoowetortoodry,compostingwillslow.Ifthishappens,turnyourpileandmakeadjustments.We’vealwaysthoughtofturningourcompostasaresetbuttonforthecompostingprocess.Youcanalwaysaddmoredrymaterialorwater,ifneeded,andtryagain.
Food
Thetwotypesof“food”thatmakeupabalancedcompostpilecanbereferredtoaseithernitrogenousorcarbonaceous.Materialssuchaskitchenscraps,manure,andcoffeegroundsarenitrogenrich.Materialssuchasleaves,straw,andshreddednewspaperarecarbonrich.Thinkofyournitrogenmaterialsasbeingfresh,green,orwetandyourcarbonmaterialsasbrown,woody,ordry.Freshgreenhaywouldbeconsideredanitrogenfood,butthesamehay,ifallowedtodryoutandturnbrown,wouldbeconsideredmorecarbonaceous.Thetrickwiththesetwofoodsistheratioinyourpile.Youwillalwayswantquiteabitmorecarbonthannitrogen,thirtypartsofcarbontoeveryonepartofnitrogen.AnythingyouaddtoyourpilehasitsownC:Nratio.Belowisachartshowingsomeofthemorecommoningredientsyoumightuse.Aboveallelse,realizethatyoucan’tgowrong.Remember,thefallentreeintheforestwilleventuallyturnbackintosoil.
CarbontoNitrogenRatioChartSawdust* 300:1to500:1Newspaper 170:1Papertowels 120:1
Straw 80:1Leaves 60:1Kitchenscraps 20:1Grassclippings 20:1Coffeegrounds 20:1
*Dependingonitsstageofdecomposition.
Warmth
Heatisagoodindicatorofhowbalancedalloftheotherfactors(food,air,moisture)areinyourpile.Thelayersofsoilinthepilehaveinoculateditwithapopulationofmicrobes.Thecloseryourcarbon-nitrogenratioisto30:1,thequickerthemicrobeswillstarttothriveandconsumeyourmaterials.Thewarmththepilegeneratesisactuallyduetothemetabolicactivityofthemicrobes.Inacompostpilethereisusuallyadominoeffect:thecool-lovingmicrobesstarttheparty,generateenoughheatforthewarm-lovingmicrobestotakeover,andthey,inturn,generateenoughwarmthfortheheat-lovingmicrobestotakeover.
Tocheckthewarmthofyourpile,simplyputyourhandinside,8to12inchestowardsthecenter.Ifyourpilehasstartedtoheat,soilinthecenterwillbewarm,evenhottothetouch.Togetamoreaccuratereading,useathermometer.Largeweather-resistantcompostthermometersareeasilyfoundatanygardeningstore.Toensureanyweedseedsarekilledoffandtoreducethetimeittakestomakefinishedcompost,youmaywanttogetyourpileupto150to160degreesFforashortperiod.Formostpeople,though,havingapilethatgeneratesabitofwarmthisperfect.Itmaytakealittlemoretimetocompost,butit’snotaracetoseewhofinishesfirst.
MakingaCompostPile
Whenbuildingyourpile,thinkofalayeredcake.Thespongycakelayerwillconsistofyourcarboningredients,andthelayersoffrostingwillbeyournitrogeningredients.Onceyouhavegatheredyourmaterials,youwillwanttostartlayeringthem.Yourpilesizeshouldbeatleast3x3x3feetbutcanbeaslargeasspaceandmaterialswillallow.Keepthesizeconvenienttoturnand
workwith.Thefirstlayerofyourheapshouldbeyourcarbonaceousmaterial(i.e.,straw,leaves,etc.).Thereasonforstartingwiththesematerialsistohelpwithproperdrainageandaircirculation.Shootforaround6to8inchesforthislayertohaveasolidstart.Thenextlayerwillbecomposedofyournitrogenousmaterial.Ifusingwetkitchenscraps,acoupleofincheswillbesufficient.Ifeitherlawnclippingsorfresh(undried)hayareavailable,youwillwanttoaddaslightlythickerlayer.Ifyouchoosetoincludeadditionalamendments,youcanlayertheminnow.
Avoidusingmeatsandfatsastheywilltendtoattracthungryanimalsandbreakdownslowerthanyourotheringredients.Ifyouchoosetoaddeggshellstoyourpile,takethetimetocrushthemup.Youmaystillnoticesmallpiecesofeggshellinyourfinishedcompost.Don’tbealarmed,asthisispurelyanaestheticissue.Theywillcontinuetobedigestedinthesoil.Toavoidthisunevendecomposition,simplybakeyoureggshellsintheovenat400degreesFfor15to20minutes.Bakingthemoistureoutoftheshellswillallowthemtobepulverizedintoapowder.Thisextrastepwilllettheshellsbedigestedbythecompostpilemorequickly.
Thenextlayerwillbecomposedofaninchofsoil,pottingsoil,orcompost(whicheverisavailabletoyou).Nowwouldbeagoodtimetolayerinyourusedtraysofsoilfromyourharvestedmicrogreens.Thepurposeofthislayeristoinoculateyourpilewithmicrobes;thericherthesoil,thebetter.Itisagoodideatowateryourlayersasyougo.Afteryouhavefinishedallofyourfirstlayers,youwillnowwanttobeginagainwithyourcarbon-richmaterialandrepeattheprocessuntilyouhaverunoutofyouringredientsorreachedyouridealsize.
Anotherwayofrecyclingharvestedtraysistocreateapilemadesolelyoftheusedmicrogreensoil.Thisisagoodoptionforpeoplewhodon’thaveothermaterialstheywanttocompost.Themicrobiallifewillquicklybreakdowntherootsandstemsinthesoilsoitcanbereintegratedbackintogrowing.Asyouarelayeringyourflatsofsoil,ithelpstoaddadustingofalfalfamealand/orwaterthepilewithabitofliquidkelp.Thishelpstorestoreanytracemineralsthatthesoilhaslost.Crabmealcanalsobesprinkledin,asitisagentlesourceofnitrogenandcalcium.
Ifusingpottingsoilthathasbeensterilized,youwillwanttoinoculateyourpilewithadoseofbeneficialmicrobes.Thiscanbeachievedinacoupleofdifferentways.Youcanuseacompostacceleratorormicrobialinoculantpowder.Bothofwhichcanbeuseddryandlayeredintoapile.Theyarefoundatmostgardening
storesoratJohnny’sSelectedSeeds(www.johnnyseeds.com.).Youcanalsomakeacompostorvermicomposttea.Todothisyouwillneedasmallaquariumairpump,abucket,compostorwormcastings,andmolassesorfruitjuiceofsomekind.Fillyourbucketwithwater;addafewlargehandfulsofcompostanda“sip”ofjuiceormolasses.Usetheairpumptokeeptheteabubblingforadayortwo,andthenwateryourpilewithit.
AdditionalAmendmentsforYourCompostPile
AgriculturalLime(suchasdolomite):Availableatanylocalgardenstore,limeisagoodsourceofcalciumandmagnesium.Whetherornotitisnecessarytouselimedependsonthevolumeofacidicmaterialsyouuse(i.e.,fruits,coffeegrounds,tomatoes,pineneedles,etc.).Inacidicconditions,alightdustinghelpstopromotedigestionofyourcompost-pileingredientsandpreventssouring.Asover-limingcancausenitrogenloss,addonlyaverylightdustingdirectlyonyouracidicmaterials.Thelimeshouldbeappliedlightlyenoughtoseethematerialsbelowversushavingasolidwhitelayer.Groundoystershellscanalsobeusedwithsimilareffect.
AlfalfaMeal:Alfalfaisanextraordinaryplant.Itsabilitytosendroots40to60feetdeepintheearthandbringuptraceelementsandmineralsthatotherplantscan’treachmakesitagreatresource.Madeupofgroundalfalfa,itsmealisagreatadditiontoanysoilorcompostpile.Whenaddingittoyourpile,putathickdustingafterthesoillayer.
OtherMeals(Blood,Crab,Fish,andFeather):Ifyouhaveanabundanceofcarbonaceousmaterialandneedmorenitrogenousmaterialforyourpile,youcouldalwayssupplementwithabitofoneofthesemeals.Asidefromcrab,theyareallextremelyhighinnitrogen,soyouwillwanttousethemsparingly.Agentlerformofnitrogen,ourpersonalfavorite,iscrabmeal.Crabs(aswellasothercrustaceans)haveasubstanceintheirshellscalledchitin.Whenchitinisintroducedintothesoil,itstimulatesapopulationofchitin-lovingmicrobes.Aftereatingallofthechitinavailableinthecrabmeal,thesemicrobesturntheirattentiontothenematodesinthesoil,whicharealsomadeupofchitin.Thiscyclehelpstobalancetheoverabundanceofparasiticnematodes.
LiquidSeaweed/Kelp:Forthousandsofyearstheseahasbeenatreasuretroveforourfarmsandgardens.Availableinabundance,seaweedisoneoftheocean’sjewels.Kelp,inparticular,isavarietyofseaweedthatisextremelyhighinminerals,vitamins,andtraceelements.
Ifyouliveinacoastalareaandhaveaccesstoseaweed,itmakesagreatrawlayerinyourcompostpile.Treatitasyouwouldwetkitchenscraps,layeringinaroundtwoinches.Ifseaweedisnotavailabletoyouinitsrawform,liquidkelpisthenextbestalternative.Youcanhaveawateringcanreadywithjustacoupletablespoonsofkelpmixedinthewater.Analternativeisbuyingadispenserthatwouldattachbetweenyourfaucetandhose.Thisdeviceallowsyoutodripinan
adjustableamountofliquideverytimeyouuseyourhose.Thissecondoptionisslightlymoreexpensivebutisconvenientifyoualsowanttofertilizeyourgardenorotheroutdoorplants.Thereareplentyofliquidamendmentsavailableatlocalgardeningstoresoronline.Withsomanybrandsandclaims,justbesuretochooseaproductwithpureingredientsandnutrient-richkelpovergreenseaweed.
CompostReceptacles
Mostcompostbinsaremedium-sizedfourwalledcontainersmadeofplasticorwood.Theaveragebinisbetween3and4feetwideandtall.Usingthistypeofcompostreceptacleallowsyoutoretaintheshapeandstructureofyourcompostpile,keepingitneatandwellkept.Anotheradvantageofusingthistypeofvesselisthatitiseasilycovered,providingprotectionfromexcessmoistureandheat.Asyouacquirematerialsforyourcompostpile,suchaskitchenscrapsandlawnclippings,thistypeofcompostvesselallowsyoutolayerasyougo.Tospeedupthecompostingprocess,simplyliftandmoveyourbintotheareaadjacentandtakeyournow-exposedpileandshovelitbackintothebin,takingwhatwasontopandmakingitnowthebottom,andwhatwasonthebottom,ontop.Thisisasimple,fast,andeasywaytoturnyourpile.Turningacompostpilegivesyouawindowintoitsprogress,createsnecessaryaeration,andspeedsupthecompostingprocess.
Tumbler
Atumblerisbasicallyabarrelcommonlymadeofplasticthatstandssuspendedonitssideorstraightup.Thesecompostershaveadoorontheirsideorascrew-offtopthatcanbeopenedtofeedyourmaterials.Itisdesignedtomaketurningandaeratingyourcompostquickandeasy,thusenablingyoutomaintain“hotcomposting”conditions.Tumblersrangeinsizefrom1cubicfootallthewayupto25cubicfeet.Thecostrangesfrom$120to$600.
Vermiculture
Vermicultureisanotherexcitingoptionthatyoucanintegrateintoyourcompostingprocess.Inhealthysoilonafarmorgarden,wormsareconsumingvastamountsofdecayingorganicmatter.Thelifeofawormbasicallyinvolveseatingandexcreting.Astheyareeating,theyarebreakingdownplantmaterialandexcretingitout.Theirdroppingsareyourgold.Wormcastingsareahugeassettohealthysoilandthereforehealthygreens.Theyareaperfectlybalancedfoodforplantsandmicrobes.
Vermicultureistheconcentrateduseofwormsinbreakingdownyourplantmatter(i.e.,kitchenscraps,coffeegrounds)tocreatedarkvitalsoil.Gettingstartedwithwormsisquiteeasy.Youwillfirstneedtogiveyourwormsahomecommonlycalledawormbin.Therearecountlesssystemsvaryinginpriceandsizethatcanallbepurchasedonlineandsenttoyoubymail,orit’salwaysworthcheckingtoseeifthereareanystoressellingsystemslocally.Youcanalsoeasily
constructyourown.Youwillfindmanydo-it-yourselfguidesonlinetohelpyouwiththis.Ifyoureceiveyoursuppliesbymail,youwillhaveaboxofwormswaitinginyourmailboxoratthepostoffice,sobesuretocheckyourmailregularlyafteryouorder!
Onceyouhavechosenorcreatedyourwormreceptacle,youmustmakesureyourwormsarewellfedandhaveadequatebedding.Wehavefoundthatkitchenscrapsandusedmicrogreensoilmakeagreatblend.Yourkitchenscrapsandrootmatterwillprovidetheirfoodwhileyoursoilwillbufferthemfromexcessmoisture,heat,andcold.Ifyoukeeptheirenvironmentideal,yourwormswillthriveandmultiply.
Oneimportantnotetomakeisthatyoudonotwanttocreateacompostpileinyourwormbin.Aswesaidearlier,whenmakingacompostpile,youwanttocreateconditionsthatallowittoheatup.Thesesameconditionswillkillyourworms!Wormslikethingscool.Temperaturesbetween55and75degreesFseemtobeideal.Toavoidheatingupyourwormbin,bemoderatewhenaddingcarbon.Weoncemadethemistakeofaddingtoomuchleftoverpastatoours.Thisresultedinthebingettingsohotoverthenextdaythatwelostmostofourworms.Evenafterremovingthepasta,itstilltookseveraldaysforthebintocoolbackdown.
Creatingyour“wormfarm”canalsobeafunprojecttostartwithchildren.Itisanotherhands-onopportunitytoteachthemaboutnatureanditslifecycles.Beingabletowatch,overaperiodoftime,asyourscrapsareeatenandtransformedisfascinating.Wehavebeenveryimpressedbythequalityandquantityofwormcastingsthatoursystemeasilyproduces.Integratingvermiculturehasbeenahugeassettoouroperationandhasincreasedthefertilityofoursoilexponentially.
Recipes:FoodasArtThereissomethingfundamentallyupliftingabouteveryaspectoffood.Thenourishmentwereceivefromitgoesbacktoourfirstmomentsasanewborn.Theconnectionbetweenmotherandchildthroughfoodissomethingonlythebestpoetorpaintercouldcomeclosetodepicting.Ourmemoriesoffresh-bakedcookiesfromourgrandmothersorThanksgivingdinnerwithourfamiliesinvokeapowerfulsenseofwell-being.Evenpopcornatthemoviesorhotdogsattheballgamebecomefondchildhoodmemories.
Theabilityoffoodtodeepenandtransformamomentiscarriedonaswegrow.Foodnotonlyprovidesphysicalnourishmentbutcanalsoofferanopportunitytobuildcommunityandfriendshipandstrengthenfamilies.Sittingamongstotherssurroundedbygoodfood,laughter,andconversationallowsustoslowdownandcelebratelife.Ithasbeensaidthatfeastingistheoppositeofwar.
Forsome,thereverenceoffoodstartsbeforethefeastwithitspreparation.Inaway,thistoocanbeafeastofthesenseswiththecomingtogetheroffriends,thesharingofrecipesandstories,therhythmicalwashing,chopping,andstirringofthefood,andthesweetsmellsthatareslowlyreleased.
Thischapterwillgiveyousomefunideasforincorporatingmicrogreensintoyourcooking.Fromentréestodesserts,microgreenscanaddflavor,nutrition,andbeautytoyourdishes.WehaveaskedafewBigSurchefstooffertheirfavoritewaystousemicrogreens.Recipesrangefromasweettakeonbasiltoabroccolimedley.Wehavealsoincludedasimplesaladthatweenjoyaswellassomeideasforexcitingmixes.
Remember,thepossibilitiesaretrulyendlessandexperimentationisthekeytodiscoveringnewflavors.
RecipesfromChefCraigvonFoersterSierraMarRestaurantatthePostRanchInn
BroccoliTasting
Serves8
PâtéBrisée
3cupsflour1tablespoonbakingpowder2teaspoonssalt1teaspoonsugar1/2poundverycoldunsaltedbutter,cutintosmallcubes3/4cupmilk
Tart
3bunchesbroccoliPâtéBrisée(recipeabove)3eggs1cuphalf-and-half1/2cupgratedwhitecheddarcheese1-1/2teaspoonssalt1/4teaspooncayennepepper
Soup
1leek,julienned(lightpartonly)1tablespoonbutter1clovegarlic,chopped1cupvegetableorchickenbroth1/2cupreservedblanchedbroccoliflorets2tablespoonscrèmefraîcheSaltandwhitepeppertotaste
RedWineVinaigrette
2tablespoonsgood-qualityredwinevinegar1teaspoonwater1/4teaspoonDijonmustard2teaspoonsdicedshallots1/4teaspoonsalt6tablespoonsextravirginoliveoil1/8teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
Salad
3piecesreservedbroccolistemsMicrobroccoliSaltandpeppertotaste3tablespoonsRedWineVinaigrette(recipeabove)
TomakethePâtéBrisée
1.Mixtheflour,bakingpowder,salt,andsugarinthebowlofastandmixerfittedwithapaddleattachment.Runonlowforafewsecondstomix.
2.Addthecoldbutterandrunonlowspeedfor5minutesoruntilthepiecesofbutterarepeasized.
3.Addthemilkandmixjustuntilthedoughcomestogether.
4.Turnoutthedoughandkneadforafewsecondsuntilthedoughcomestogether.Wrapinplasticandrefrigeratefor1hour.
Note:Thisrecipewillmakemorethanyouwillneed.Wraptheextratightlyandfreezeforupto1month.
Tomakethetart
1.Preheatovento350degreesF.
2.Bringagallonoflightlysaltedwatertoaboilandhaveanice-waterbathready.Trimoffthetopsofthebroccoliandcutintoflorets.Reservethestemsforthesalad.Blanchthefloretsintheboilingwateruntilcrisp-tender,about2minutes,andtransfertotheicebath.
3.LightlyflouraworksurfaceandrolloutthePâtéBriséeto1/8inchthickandthencutinto2(6-inch)circles.Layeachcircleoveratartmoldandpressdoughdowntofitinthemold.Trimofftheoverlappingdoughwithasharpknife.
4.Fillthetartshellswithpieweightsandblindbakefor8minutesinthepreheatedoven.
5.Drainandchopthebroccoliflorets,reserving1/2cupforthesoup.
6.Whisktheeggstogetherwiththehalf-and-half,cheese,salt,andcayennepepper;foldinthechoppedbroccoliandfilleachtartshell.
7.Bake20minutesoruntilcustardisset.Totest,gentlyshakethetartandseeifthefillingjiggles.Ifitisnotset,returntotheovenforafewminutesmore.
Tomakethesoup
1.Cleantheleekbyremovingthegreentopandouterlayer.Cutinhalflengthwiseandjulienne.Placeinabowlofcoldwaterandgentlyswisharoundtoloosenanydirt.Letsitforafewminutestoallowanydirttosettletothebottomofthebowl,andthengentlyscooptheleeksoffthetopanddrain.
2.Meltthebutterina4-quartpot.Addtheleeksandgarlicandsweatovermediumheat.Donotallowtobrown.Whentheleeksaresoft,addthestockandsimmerfor15minutes.
3.Place1/2cupofthereservedblanchedbroccoliinthecontainerofablender,pourthehotliquidoverthetop,andcarefullyblenduntilsmooth.Transfertoasmallpotandwhiskinthecrèmefraîche.Seasonwithsaltandpeppertotasteandkeepwarm.
Tomakethevinaigrette
1.Placethevinegar,water,mustard,shallots,andsaltinabowlandletsitfor5minutes.
2.Addtheoilinaslow,steadystreamwhilewhiskingconstantlytoincorporate.Finishwiththeblackpepper.
Tomakethesalad
1.Peelthebroccolistemsdownuntiltheyareaverypalegreen(abouthalfwaythrough).Cutstemsonabiasinto1/4-inch-thickslicesandtosswiththemicrobroccoli,salt,pepper,andRedWineVinaigrettetotaste.
Toplate,warmthetartandcutintowedges.Fillaglasswithbroccolisoup.Placeonesectionoftartonaplateandtopwithmicrobroccolilightlydressedwiththevinaigrette.Placetheglassofthesoupandsaladontheplate.
Note:Alwaysdressmicrogreenslightlyandhandlegentlytoavoidmakingthemsoggyandheavy.Theyhaveanintenseflavorthatrequiresverylittleseasoning.
GrilledBeefTatakiwithCrispyWontonandAsianMicrogreenSalad
Serves6
GrilledBeef
1(2-pound)flat-ironsteak4ouncesginger,slicedandroughlychopped4greenonions,slicedandroughlychopped2tablespoonscanolaoil1/2cupsoysauce1tablespoonsesameoil
SweetSoy
1(1-inch-square)pieceginger1/2cupsoysauce1/2cupbrownsugar
OrientalVinaigrette
2tablespoonssoysauce2tablespoonsricewinevinegar1teaspoonpowderedsugar2teaspoonsgratedginger1/4cupcanolaoil1tablespoonsesameoil
CrispyWonton
3quartsoil1/2packagewontonskins,julienned
AsianMicrogreenSalad
3tablespoonscanolaoil2cupsslicedshiitakemushrooms4ouncesAsianmicrogreens1/4cupSweetSoy(recipeabove)1(2.2-ounce)packagedaikonsproutsormicrodaikon1ouncemicrocilantro1/4cupOrientalVinaigrette(above)
Tomakethebeef
1.Tossallthebeefingredientsintoabowlandrubintothesteak.Letmarinatefor1hourbeforecookingandworkontherestoftherecipewhilewaiting.
2.Grillthesteakoverahotbroileruntilrare,about2minutesperside.Letrestforabout5minutes.
Tomakethesweetsoy
Placeallingredientsinamediumpotandbringtoasimmerfor5minutes,andthenstrainandchill.
Tomakethevinaigrette
1.Placethesoysauce,vinegar,powderedsugar,andgingertogetherinabowl.Addtheoilsinaslow,steadystreamwhilewhiskingconstantlytoincorporate.
2.Placeallingredientstogetherinasmallpotandbringtosimmer.Letsitfor5minutesandstrain;setaside.
Tomakethewontons
1.Heattheoilinapotlargeenoughtocontaintheoilwhenitboilsupduringfrying.Heattheoilto325degreesF.
2.Separatewontonsintoindividualstripsandfryuntilgoldenbrowninsmallbatches,about2minutes.
3.Whentheoilstopsbubbling,thewontonsaredone.Transfertoapapertowel–linedplatetodrain.
Tomakethesalad
1.Heatthecanolaoilinalargeskillet.Addthemushroomsandsautéuntilsoftenedandbeginningtobrown.
2.AddsomeSweetSoyandletcaramelizeonthemushrooms.
3.Transfermushroomstoplateandletcool.Reserveremainingsweetsoytodrizzleoverthesteak.
4.Inalargebowl,tosstogetherthemushroomswiththeremainingsaladingredientsandthevinaigrette.
Toplate,slicethesteakintopaper-thinslicesandfanoutonthecenterofplate.Dividethetossedsaladamongtheplates.DrizzleSweetSoyoverthesteakandserve.
RecipesfromChefDomingoSantamariaDeetjen’sBigSurInn
SesameEncrustedAhiTunawithChilledAsparagusSpearsToppedwithMicroRadishandCucumberSalad
Serves4to6
SesameandHorseradishVinaigrette
1mediumshallot1/3cupredwinevinegar1cupsesameoil2tablespoonsfreshhorseradish
ChilledAsparagus
Salt12to18asparagusspears,dependingonsize
AhiTuna
1ouncecaraway1ouncecoriander1ouncesesameseeds2poundsahitunaSaltandpeppertotasteVegetableoil
CucumberandMicroRadishSalad
2largecucumbers3ouncesmicroradish(pink-stemmedChinaRoseorHongVit)SesameHorseradishVinaigrette(recipeabove)
Tomakethevinaigrette
1.Choptheshallotintosmallpiecesinafoodprocessor.
2.Slowlyaddthevinegar.
3.Graduallyaddtheoiltothicken.
4.Finishbyshavingfreshhorseradishintothefoodprocessor.Startwithatablespoonandaddmoretotaste.
Note:Ifusinghorseradishfromajar,youmaywanttoaddmorethanifyouwereusingfresh.Freshhorseradishisoftenmuchstrongerthanjarred.
5.Refrigerate.Willkeepfor3to4days.
Tomaketheasparagus
1.Boil2quartsofwaterinalargesaucepan.Addsalt.
2.Prepareanicewaterbath.
3.Putasparagusinboilingwaterfor40secondsto1minute.Becarefulnottoovercookorasparaguswillbecomestringyandloseitscrispcrunch.
Note:Thesizeoftheasparaguswilldeterminethecookingtime—smallspears40seconds;largespears1minute.
4.Quicklyremoveasparagusfromboilingwaterandplaceintheicewaterbath.
5.Removeasparagusfromicebathandplaceinamediumbowl;setaside.
TomaketheAhiTuna
1.Preheatovento400degreesF.
2.Inamediumsautépan,combinecaraway,coriander,andsesameseeds.Roastintheovenuntilgoldenbrown,about5minutes.Movethemaroundperiodicallytoavoidburningandtoensureeventoasting.
3.Removeseedsfromovenandletcool.Grindintoapowderusingacoffeegrinder.
4.Coverallsidesoftunawithadustingoftheseedpowderandseasonwithsaltandpeppertotaste.
5.Usingamediumsautépan,getthepanveryhotandaddvegetableoil.Seartunafor30secondsonallsidesuntilgolden.Cookmedium-raretomedium,dependingonyourpreference.
6.Slice4to5(1-ounce)piecesforeachserving.
Tomakethesalad
1.Shavebothskinandmeatofcucumberwithpeeler,makinglongstrings.Setasideseveralstringstotiearoundthechilledasparagus.
2.TosscucumberandmicroradishwiththeSesameandHorseradishVinaigrette,reservingafewtablespoonstodrizzleovertheasparagus.
Toplate,drizzletheasparaguswiththeSesameandHorseradishVinaigretteandthenwrapgroupsof3or4stalksinthereservedcucumberstrips.Ontheplates,fanoutmedallionsoftuna.TopwiththeCucumberandMicroRadishSaladandplacethecucumber-wrappedasparagusonplatenexttotuna.DrizzlewiththereservedSesameandHorseradishVinaigrette.
Bacon-WrappedSearedDiverScallopsonPotatoandFennelSaladToppedwithMicroCilantro
Serves4to6
Bacon-WrappedScallops
12to18largediverscallops(3perperson)12to18stripsbacon(1perscallop)Saltandpeppertotaste2tablespoonsvegetableoil
Chive-and-YogurtAioli
3clovesgarlic6eggyolks1-1/2cupsextravirginoliveoil1/2cuplemonjuice,plusmoreSaltandpeppertotaste3buncheschives1to1-1/2cupsplainyogurt(totaste)
PotatoandFennelSalad
4smallbulbsfennel3tablespoonsvegetableoil,divided6largeYukonGoldpotatoesSaltandpeppertotaste2tablespoonsbutterChive-and-YogurtAioli(recipeabove)Agedbalsamicvinegar
FreshKingCrab(optional)
3mediumcrablegs3cupsvegetablestock2bayleavesTarragon,salt,andpeppertotaste
Tomakethescallops
1.Wrapeachscallopin1stripbacon.
2.Dustwrappedscallopswithsaltandpepper.
3.Usingalargesautépan,getthepanveryhotandaddthevegetableoil.Searscallopsonallsidesuntilthebaconiscooked(scallopswillbemedium-rare.)Ifyouwouldliketocookthemlonger,finishintheovenat375to400degreesFfor2to5minutes.
Tomaketheaioli
1.Chopgarlicintosmallpiecesinafoodprocessor.
2.Slowlyaddeggyolksintothefoodprocessor.
3.Slowlyaddtheoil.Ifyouaddtheoiltooquickly,youwillnoticethemixturestartingtolooklikemayonnaise.Ifthishappens,stopaddingoilandbeginaddinglemonjuice.Addmostofthelemonjuiceuntilmixturebeginstothinout.
4.Addtherestoftheoilasaiolistartstothinout.
5.Addsaltandpepperandmorelemonjuicetotaste.
6.Chopchivesandthenthrowintheprocessor.Blendfor30seconds.
7.Emptycontentsoffoodprocessorintoalargemixingbowl.Useaspatulatograduallyfoldtheyogurtintotheaioli.
8.Refrigerate.Willkeepfor2to3days.
Tomakethesalad
1.Preheattheovento375degreesF.
2.Shavefennelwithamandoline.Sautéinapproximately1tablespoonvegetableoiluntiltender.
3.Removefrompanandletcoolinawaterbath.Fenneltendstoturnyellowifnotkeptinwater.Itwilllastatleastonedaysoakingincoldwater.
4.Washpotatoes.Tossthemwholewithsalt,pepper,andvegetableoil.Bakeonasheetpanat375degreesFuntilcookedallthewaythrough,about35minutes.Removefromovenandletcool.
5.Peelandcutpotatoesintosmallpieces.
6.Mashfennel,potatoes,andbuttertogether.Makesuretheingredientsarewarm,nothot,sothatyoudon’tbreaktheaioli.
7.StirinChive-and-YogurtAiolitotaste,reservingsometodrizzleontheplates.
Tomakethecrab(optional)
1.Prepareanicewaterbath.
2.Putcrabs,vegetablestock,bayleaves,tarragon,salt,andpepperinalargesautépan.
3.Boileverythingtogetherfor3to5minutes.
4.Removecrabandcoolintheicewaterbath.
5.Shredintosmallpieces.AddtoPotatoandFennelSalad.
Toplate,makeabedofPotatoandFennelSalad,andthenplacescallopsonthesalad.TopwithmicrocilantroanddrizzlethereservedChive-and-YogurtAioliandagedbalsamicvinegarovertheentireplate.
RecipesfromChefsPhilWojtowiczandMichelleRizzoloOwnersandChefsofTheBigSurBakery
MicrogreenSpringSaladwithCarrotGingerDressing
Serves4
MicrogreenSpringSalad
2tablespoonssalt1handfulpeashootmicrogreens1/2cupfavabeans,blanched4carrots,smalldiced,blanched1handfulTokyoBekanamicrogreens1handfulredpacchoimicrogreens1pinchamaranthmicrogreens4radishes,slicedintothincoins1cuppeas,blanchedSaltandpeppertotaste
Carrot-GingerDressing
1inchginger,peeledandslicedintocoins1/4cupricewinevinegar1/2cupwater1tablespoonsoysauce1tablespoonmayonnaiseKoshersaltandfreshlygroundblackpeppertotaste
Tomakethesalad
1.Prepareanicewaterbathbyfillingalargebowlhalfwaywithwaterandputabout2dozenicecubesinit;setaside.
2.Bringagallonofwatertoaboilinalargepot.Addsalt,andthenblanchthepeasuntilthey’rebrightgreenandtender,about3minutes.Immediatelyremovefromtheboilingwaterwithaslottedspoonandplaceinicewaterbathtocool
for2minutes—theicewaterwillstopthepeasfromovercookingandhelpthemretaintheircolor.Removefromwaterbathandsetaside.
3.Repeattheblanchingprocesswiththefavabeansandcarrots.Reservethepeas,beans,and1/2cupdicedcarrottogarnishthesalad.
4.Placethemicrogreens,radishes,carrots,peas,andfavabeansinabowlandseasonlightlywithsaltandpepper.
Tomakethedressing
1.Fillasmallpotwithcoldwater.Addthegingerandbringtoarapidboil.Strainoutthewaterandrepeattwomoretimes.
2.Placetheginger,1/2cupreservedcarrots,ricewinevinegar,andwaterinablenderandblenduntilsmooth.Removefromtheblenderandplaceinabowl.Whiskinthesoysauceandmayonnaise.Checktheseasoningandaddsaltandpepperifnecessary.
Toplate,gentlytossthesaladwithjustenoughdressingtolightlycoatthegreensandvegetables.Seasonwithsaltandpeppertotaste.Drizzlesomedressingonaplatterandplacethesaladontop.
RoastedBabyBeetswithBeetMicrogreensandGoatCheeseCrostini
Serves4
RoastedBeets
24assortedbabybeets,greensreservedSaltandpeppertotaste1/4cupoliveoil,divided1/2cupwater3tablespoonsredwinevinegar1headfrisée2tablespoonsmincedchives2tablespoonsmincedscallions2ouncesbeetand/orchardmicrogreens
BeetGreens
2tablespoonsoliveoil1/2smallyellowonion,sliced2clovesgarlic,slicedPinchofredchiliflakes2cupsroughlychoppedbeetgreens(reservedfromabove)Saltandpeppertotaste1teaspoonredwinevinegar
GoatCheeseCrostini
4(1/2-inch-thick)slicessourdoughorcountrybread2tablespoonsoliveoil1tablespoonmincedflat-leafparsleySaltandpeppertotaste
2to3ouncessoftgoatcheese
Tomakethebeets
1.Trimthestemsoffthebeets.Washandreserve2cupsofthegreens.
2.Washthebeets,makingsurenottopuncturetheskin.Arrangeinaroastingpaninasinglelayer,seasonwithsaltandpepper,anddrizzle2tablespoonsoiland1/2cupwaterovertop.Coverwithaluminumfoilandroastthebeetsat400degreesFuntilforktender,about35to45minutes,dependingonthesizeofthebeets.
3.Whenthebeetsaretender,carefullyremovethemfromtheroastingpanwhilestillwarm,andusingakitchentowel,rubtheskinoffthebeets.Cutbeetsinhalfandtosswiththevinegarand2tablespoonsoil.
4.Washthefriséeandremovethegreentipsfromtheleaves,leavingonlythewhiteandyellowpartofthehead.Cutthecoreoffandteartheremainingleavesintomediumpieces.Putthefriséeinasaladbowlandreserve.
Tomakethegreens
1.Heatalargesautépanovermediumheatanddrizzlewiththeoil.Addtheonion,garlic,andchiliflakesandcookslowlyuntiltheonionsaretranslucent,about4minutes.
2.Addthereservedgreens,seasonthemwithsaltandpepper,andcookforanother8to10minutes,stirringoccasionally,untilthestemsaretender.Removefromtheheat,stirinthevinegar,andtransfertoaseparatedishtocool;setaside.
Tomakethecrostini
1.Brushbothsidesofeachbreadslicewithoilandseasonwithparsley,salt,andpepper.
2.Arrangetheslicesonasheetpanandplaceintheovenuntillightlytoasted,about7minutes.Removethecrostinifromtheoven,spreadabout2tablespoonsBeetGreensoneach,andtopwith1tablespoongoatcheese.Seasonwithmoresaltandpepper.
3.Keepthecrostinionthesheetpanandwarmrightbeforeserving.
Toplate,reheatthebeetsovermedium-highheatinasautépan,andthentosswiththefrisée,chives,andscallionswhilestillwarm.Seasonwithsaltandpepper,addremainingbeetmicrogreens,andtoss.Transfertoaservingplatter.Placewarmcrostiniaroundthebeets.
ButtermilkPannaCottawithStrawberriesandBasilMicrogreens
Serves6
PannaCotta
1vanillabean1-1/4cupsheavywhippingcream1/2cupsugar2tablespoonswater1-1/2teaspoonsgelatin1 3/4cupsbuttermilk
Strawberries
1pintstrawberries,quartered2tablespoonssugar1/4cupbasilmicrogreens
MicroBasilOil
8ouncesmicrobasilor3bunchesbasil1tablespoonsalt1cupcanolaoil
Tomakethepannacotta
1.Splitthevanillabeanlengthwisewithaparingknifeandscrapeoutthepulpwiththebackoftheknife.
2.Putthepulpandpodintoapotwiththecreamandsugar.Bringtoaboilandsteepfor15minutes.
3.Inabowl,pourinthewaterandsprinklewiththegelatin.Letsitfor5minutesuntilthegelatinexpandsandresemblesapplesauce.
4.Bringthecreammixturebacktoaboilandtemperthehotliquidintothegelatinbyaddingaladleatatimewhilewhiskingvigorously.
5.Removethevanillabeanpodandstirinthebuttermilk.Pourmixtureinto6ramekinsandrefrigerateuntilset,atleast4hours.
Tomakethestrawberries
Rightbeforeserving,tossthestrawberrieswithsugarandbasilmicrogreens.
Tomaketheoil
1.Makeanicewaterbath;setaside.
2.Bringagallonofwatertoaboilinalargepot.Addsaltandblanchthebasilintheboilingwateruntilbrightgreen,about20to30seconds.Immediatelystrainthebasilandplaceitinthewaterbathtocoolfor2minutes—theicewaterwillstopthebasilfromovercookingandwillhelpitretainitscolor.
3.Squeezethebasildrywithakitchentowelandpuréeinablenderwiththecanolaoil.
4.Letsitfor2hoursatroomtemperatureandthenstrainthroughafine-meshsieve.Discardthesolidsandreservethebasiloiluntilreadytouse.
Toplate,unmoldthepannacottaandplacetheramekininaglassofhotwaterforjustafewseconds.Thiswillhelpthepannacottareleasefromthesides.Flipoverintoabowlandgarnishwiththestrawberryandbasilsalad.DrizzletheMicroBasilOilovertop.
RecipesfromEricFranksandJasmineRichardsonOwnersofTrueLeafMicrogreens
OurFavoriteMicroSalad
Serves4to6
8ouncesofyourfavoritemixofmicrogreens2mediumcucumbers2avocados3tomatoes(optional)ExtravirginoliveoilBalsamicvinegarManchegocheeseSeasaltandfreshlygroundpepper
1.Makeabedofgreensonalargeservingplatter.
2.Cutcucumbers,avocados,andtomatoesintothinhalf-moonslices.
3.Layslicedvegetablesoveryourbedofgreens.
4.Dressthesaladwithagenerousamountofoliveoilandadashofbalsamicvinegar(usinga3:1oiltovinegarratio).
5.Useagratertocutthinslicesofcheese.Arrangecheeseonsalad.Saltandpeppertotasteandthenserve.
MicrogreenMixes
Hereareacoupleofmixeswehavehadsuccesswith.Mostofthevarietieswecallforcanbesubstitutedwithwhateveryouaregrowing.Theratiosgivencreateabalancedmix,pairingflavorwithappearance.Allofthesemixescanbeusedasthebaseofanyfavoritesalad.
AsianMix
Allofthesevarieties(besidesradish,whichbecomestough)arebeautifulwhengrowntotheirtrueleafstage,makingthisagreatmicrogreensaladmix.
3 1/2ouncesTokyoBekana2 1/2ouncesredpacchoi1-1/2ouncesradish(HongVitorChinaRose)1/2ounceamaranth
Tossallingredientstogetherandgarnishdishesaccordingtoyourdesire.
MicroMix
Thismixiscomposedofveryyoungmicros,harvestedattheircotyledonstage.Wefindthatitisbettertouseasagarnishthanasamicrosalad.
4ouncespurplecabbage2ouncesarugulaorbroccoli1-1/2ouncesendive1/2ounceamaranth
Tossallingredientstogetherandgarnishdishesaccordingtoyourdesire.
SpicyMix
Thismixpackssomeheat.Thevibrantcolorsoftheradishandmustardpairedwiththegreenarugulaanddelicatecressmakeitbothbeautifulanddelicious.
Takenotethatifyouarecuttingthismixforstorageyouwillwanttoleaveoutthecressasittendstohaveashortershelflifethantheotheringredients.
3ouncesradish(HongVitorChinaRose)2ouncesmustard2ouncesarugula1ounce(garden)cress
Tossallingredientstogetherandgarnishdishesaccordingtoyourdesire.
SpringPeaMix
Thesweetnessofpeashoots,pairedwithbitterendiveandspicyradish,blendnicelyforavariedhardytakeonamicrosalad.Peashootsmakeagreatbasebecauseoftheirsubstantialsizeandmildflavor.
4ouncespeashoots2ouncesendive2ouncesradish(chinaroseorhongvit)
Tossallingredientstogetherandgarnishdishesaccordingtoyourdesire.
Troubleshooting1.Whatifmyseedsaren’tgerminating?2.WhatifmygerminatingseedsarestickingtothepapertowelwhenIpullitoff?
3.WhatifIseemoldwhenIpullupmytowel?4.Whatiftheseedscomeupthicklyinsomespotsandsparselyinothers?5.Whatifmygreensstarttorot?6.Whatifmytrayofsoilgetsacrackinit?7.Whatifmygreensaregettingtallandweedy?8.Whatifmygreensareyellowingandstunted?9.Whatiftheleavesofmygreenslookburnt?10.WhatifmygreensbecomelimpafterIharvest?
1.Whatifmyseedsaren’tgerminating?
Thereareafewsimplequestionstouseasachecklistwhenencounteringthisproblem:
Seed:AmIusingarelativelynew,viableseed?
Checkingtheseedviabilityisquiteeasyaslongasyouknowthesourceoftheseed.Ifyoupurchasedtheseed,valuableinformationwillbeavailabletoyouonthepacket.Youshouldbeabletofindalotdate,idealtemperaturerangeforgermination,averagepercentageofgermination,andsometimesdaysuntilgermination.Ifyoufindthatyourseedhasalowgerminationrate(anythingbelow80percent)youmaywanttobuynewseed,chooseadifferentseedsourceorvariety,orsowtheseedmoredenselynexttime.Ifyouhaveallowedyourseedstogethotorwet,theirgerminationratemaybeaffected.
Moisture:Aremytraysdryingoutduringtheday?
Underwateringismuchmoreofaconcernthanoverwateringduringthegerminationprocess.Neverletyourtowelandtoplayerofsoildryout.However,oversaturatingyoursoilatthisstageisnotadvisablebecauseyoucan
leachimportantnutrients.Yourobjectiveistokeepyoursoil,andthereforeyourseed,moist.Inthebeginningstagesofgermination,beforetheseedshavesetroots,focusonkeepingthetoplayermoistinsteadofworryingaboutsoakingtheentiretray.
Temperature:Isthetemperaturewherethegreensaregerminatingtoohotortoocold?
Extremeheatorcoldisoftenafactorinpoorgermination.Itiseasytoobtaingoodgerminationrateswithtemperaturesrangingfrom55to75degreesF.Duetothevariationfromvarietytovariety,referringtoyourseedpacketcanbehelpful,asthisinformationisusuallyprovidedforyou.
Ifyouareencounteringanyproblemswiththegerminationofyourseeds,don’tbediscouraged.Oneadvantageofgrowingatrayofmicrogreensversusafieldoflettuceisyoursmallinvestmentoftime,space,andenergy.Simplystartanothertray,changeanyvariablesthatyoususpectarehinderingthegerminationandgrowth,andseewhathappens.
2.WhatifmygerminatingseedsarestickingtothepapertowelwhenIpullitoff?
Waitingforyourfirstseedstogerminateandgrowintomicrogreenscanbequiteexciting.Ifcuriositygetsthebestofyouandyoubegintakingoffthepapertoweltoosoon,simplystopandlayitbackdown.Feelfreetopeekatyourseeds’progresswithoutcompletelyremovingthepapertowel.Youwillknowthatyouhavetakenitoffprematurelyifmostofthegerminatingseedsandtheirfuzzyrootsarestickingtothetowelasyoupullitfromthesoil.Givetheseedsanotherday,checkinginthecornertoseeiftheyhaverooted.Agoodsigntowatchforisthepapertowelliftingoffthesoil.Thisshowsthattheseedlingsarepushingupthetowelandarereadytoseethelightandopentheirfirstleaves.Ifyouwaittoolongtoremovethetowel,yourseedlingswillbeatagreatdisadvantage.Theywillbecometallandweedy,makingthemmoresusceptibletorottingandmatting.Gettingyourtimingdownmaytakeacoupleofcycles,butitwillsoonbecomesecondnature.
3.WhatifIseemoldwhenpullingupmytowel?
Youmaynoticeawhitefuzzaroundtherootsofyourseedlingsdependingonwhenyouremoveyourtowel.Itiseasytomistakethisformold.Restassureditispartofthenaturalprocessofgerminationandgrowth.Oncethetrayiswatered,thewhitefuzzwilldisappear.However,inpoorconditions,moldcanoccur.Ifyouareexperiencingcold,dank,dampweatherforlongperiodsoftime,yourgerminatingseedswillsuffer.Youwillnoticeadistinctdifferencebetweenthewhitefuzzyrootsandthemold.Whilethefuzzislightandsurroundstherootarea,youmaynoticethedarkermoldcoveringbaresoilorsurroundingtheseeds.Warmweathercropssuchasbasilandcilantrowillbemoresusceptibletomold.Cropsthatneedalongergerminationperiodandhavetowithstandthepreviouslynamedconditionswillalsobevulnerable.Controlyourenvironmenttoavoidtheoccurrenceofmold.Whilegerminating,useheatmatsifnecessaryormoveyourgreenstoawarmerarea.Onceyouspotmoldinthetray,uncoveryourseeds,waterthemlightly,andprovideanenvironmentwithmorelightandaircirculation.
4.Whatiftheseedscomeupthicklyinsomeandsparselyinothers?
Therewillbetimeswhenthetrayofmicrogreensyouaregrowinglookslikeperfectlyeven,thicklawn.However,youmayoccasionallyfindthatyourtrayshaveunevengerminationand/orgrowth.Thereareafewfactorsatplayhere.Themostobviousishowevenlyyouaresowing.Slowingdownandfocusingonspreadingtheseedevenlyisimportantforevengermination.Practicemakesperfect.
Anothercauseofunevengerminationandgrowthcouldbethequalityofthesoilorhowwellithasbeenmixed.Whilemostofthepottingsoilsthatwehavetriedhaveshowngoodresults,therehavebeenacoupleoftypesthathaveseemedtohindergerminationofcertainseeds.Thisfactormaytakesomeexperimentationtoresolve,sotrydifferentsoilstofindagoodmatch.
Wherethetrayisgerminatingmayalsoplayarole.Ifonepartofthetrayisindirectsunlightandtheotherhalfisindappledshade,youwillnoticethecorollarygerminationandgrowth.Whengerminatingyourseeds,findaspotintheshade.Findaplaceforyourgrowinggreenswithanevenamountofsunand/orrotatethetraysifnecessary.
Lastly,theseeditselfmightaffectgrowth.Wehavenoticedwithcertainbatchesofseedwhatwecall“wavegermination.”Inthisphenomenon,seedsgerminate
atdifferenttimes,makingforanuneventray.Unevengerminationandgrowthisusuallymoreofanaestheticissuethanitisarealproblemforthehomegrower.
5.Whatifmygreensstarttorot?
Therearetwomainreasonswhyrotcanbecomeaproblem.Thefirstisthatyourgreenshavetoomuchmoisturewithtoolittlesunlight.Intheheatofthesummerweusuallywateronceearlyinthemorningandthenagainintheevening.Thisworkswellwhenconditionsarehotandsunny.However,ifacoldfrontweretomoveinforafewdays,bringingcloudsandtemperaturesinthe60s,wateringthissamewaywouldquicklyresultinpatchesofrotsettingintoyourtrays.Withcooler,lesssunnyconditions,wateringonceinthemorningwouldsuffice.Problemswithbothover-andunderwateringareyourbestaccesstolearningwhateachcropprefers.Youhavetotaketimetonoticetheconditionsyourgreensthriveinandplaywiththevariables.
Anotherpossiblereasonforrotinyourtraysisthequalityofwaterthatyouareusing.Municipalwaterusuallycontainschlorine,whichplantshate.Thisiseasilyremediedwithmostdrinking-waterfilters.ThepHofyourwaterbeingexcessivelyhighorlowisanotherfactortobeawareof.Nutrientsthatwouldnormallybeaccessibletoyourgreensgetlockedupandbecomeunavailable.ThereisabitofarangeofpHpreferenceinthecommonmicrogreenvarieties,butmostlikeapHofaround6.5.Testingiseasyonceyouacquiretheproperequipment.ThepHmonitorsrangefromliquidsolutionstoportabledigitalunits.KeepingyourpHincheckcansolvemanyproblems.Notonlywillyounoticestrongergrowthandincreasedyields,butmostimportantly,youwillhavehealthierplantsthatarelesssusceptibletorotanddisease.
6.Whatifmytrayofsoilgetsacrackinit?
Youmaydiscoverthatyoursoilshiftswhentraysaremovedaround.Deepcrevassesmayoccurifthetraysaren’tcarriedwithevensupport.Althoughthismaylookalarming,yourseedswillgerminateasusual,andcrackswillnotaffectgrowthintraysthathavealreadygerminated.
7.Whatifmygreensaregettingtallandweedy?
Lightisalwaysthemainfactorwhenyoufindthatyourgreensaregettingweedy.Youwillnoticeadistinctdifferencebetweenhealthy,stoutgreensthataregettingadequatelightandthetallspindlygreensthatarereachingforanylightthattheycanfind.Thesegreensoftenbecomelighterincolorastheyfunnelalloftheiravailableenergyintoseekingoutthelight.Thisproblemiseasilysolvedbyeithernaturalsunlightorgrowlights.Makesureyouhavechosenanareathatgetsfulltopartialsunformostoftheday.Ifyoufindthatareasavailabletoyoudonothavelongenoughsunnyperiods,youcouldchoosetomoveyourtraysabout,followingthesun.Whilemovingoneortwotraysaroundduringthedaymightnotbemuchofabother,ifyouhavetomovetentrays,thiscouldprovequitetimeconsumingandwillincreasethechancesofdroppingtrays.Ifyoufindyourselfinthissituation,youmaychoosetoinvestigategrowlights.Resourcesforenergy-efficientmodelsareavailableinthebackofthebook.
8.Whatifmygreensareyellowingandstunted?
Greensbecomestuntedwhentheyarenotgivenenoughnutrientstothrive.Whengrowingtheminsoil,thetypeofsoilisthefirstthingtolookat.Somelesser-qualitysoilsdon’thavethediversityofnutrientsneededtosustaingrowth.Insteadofcontinuingtogrow,youwillfindthattheseedlingssimplyhalttheirgrowthandbegintoyellowandeventuallyrot.
WaterpHcanalsobeacontributingproblem.See“Whatifmygreensstarttorot?”forpHtips.
9.Whatiftheleavesofmygreenslookburnt?
Sometimesthestrengthofthesuncancauseburningoftheleaves.Thisdamageisirreversibleandweakenstheintegrityofthegreens.Leavesthathavebeenburntarelessaestheticallyappealing,andtheirlongevityafterharvestalsobecomescompromised.Sundamageiseasilyavoidedbyrelocatingyourgreenstopartialshadewhenthesunisverystrong.Avoidwateringintheheatoftheday,asthiscanalsocauseburning.Youmayfindmoredamageontheedgesofyourtraysbecausetheytendtodryoutsooner.Inthiscase,takeyourtimetocutaroundthesegreenstosalvageatleastpartofthetray.
10.Whatifmygreensbecomelimpafterharvesting?
Becauseofthedelicatenatureofmicrogreens,caremustbetakenwhenstoringthemafterharvest.Donotletyourharvestedgreenssitinopenair(especiallyintheheat)foranylengthoftime.Whenwashingyourgreens,besuretogetthemintoacoolwaterwashquicklytokeepthemfreshandvital.Sloppystoragecanalsoleadtolimpgreens.Besurethatthecontainerthatyouareusingtostoreyourgreens,whetheritbebagsorasealablecontainer,issealedtightly.Whentreatedandstoredproperly,greenscanlastuptoaweekormoreinyourrefrigerator.
RecommendedBooksandResourcesBuyLocal
Wealwaysrecommendcheckingtoseewhatyourlocalgardeningorhorticulturalstorehastoofferbeforelookingonlineandorderingfromfarawayplaces.Theconceptofbuyinglocalgoesbeyondfood;supportingyourlocaleconomyplaysanimportantroleinthesustainabilityofourcommunities.Youwillalsofindthatshopkeepersareoftenveryknowledgeableandcananswermanyofyourquestions.
Apprenticing
Wecannotsayenoughabouttheimportanceofhands-onexperiencewhenlearningthecraftoffarming.Openingatextbookonagriculturewillonlygetyousofar.Fortunately,thereareopportunitiesallovertheworldtoliveandworkwithexperiencedfarmers.Ifyouhaveanydesiretolearnthepracticalaspectsofworkingwiththeland,animals,andcrops,takethisopportunity!Thereareseveralextensivenetworksavailabletolinkyouwithyouridealsituation.Fromseason-longcommitmentstoflexibleopenings,apprenticeshipsareafantasticwaytodeepenyourunderstandingofthelandandwhateverspecificpassionyoumayhaveormaydevelop.
www.attra.ncat.org
www.wwoof.org
www.organicvolunteers.org
CommunitySupportedAgriculture
CSAsprovidecommunitiesandtheirlocalfarmersawaytocometogethertoformpartnerships.Alsoknownassubscriptionfarms,theyhavebeenpoppingupalloverthecountrysincethemid’80s.Althoughthereareendlessvariationsonthetheme,thebasicideaofaCSAisthatthefarmprovidesashareoftheharvesteachweektotheirshareholders.Thisusuallyamountstoaboxfilledwitha
varietyofwhateverisbeingproduced(i.e.,vegetables,fruit,dairy,meat,eggs,orbread).
Atthebeginningoftheseason,afarmerdetermineshowmanysharesheorshecanproduceeachweek.Familiesorindividualsthenpre-buytheseshares;pricingstructuresrangefrompayingfortheseason’sproduceinadvancetoflexiblepaymentplans.Thismodelsecuresthefarm’sincomeatthebeginningoftheseason,ensuringthatthecommunityhasaccesstolocalfarmgoods.
CSAsallowforpeopletoconnectwiththesourceoftheirfood.Theyalsoprovideagreatopportunityforchildrentolearnaboutwheretheirfoodcomesfrom.Theycanseetheirveggiesgrowing,meetthefarmanimals,andevenpicksomestrawberriesthemselves.Thisgivespeopleachancetoexperiencetheirproducethroughtheseasons,findingnewwaystocookwhateverisinabundanceandtoanticipatewhatiscominginthemonthsahead.Itisawonderfulwaytosupportyourlocalfarmerandeatseasonally.LooktoseeifthereareanyCSAsinyourareabycheckingoutwww.localharvest.org/csa.
ThePizzaFarm
ALivingDemonstration
ThePizzaFarmwascreatedtoeducateandentertain“cityfolk”ofallagesabouthowtheirfoodisgrown.ThePizzaFarmisa“living”demonstrationfarmthatconductsguidedtoursforschoolsandtourists,teachingthemaboutagriculturealongtheway.ThePizzaFarmiscircular(likeapizza)andisdividedintoeightpie-shaped“slices,”witheach“slice”growingorgrazingalltheingredientsneededtomakeafarm-freshpizza.GuestsatthePizzaFarmsee,touch,andlearnabouthowfarmersgrowwheatforthecrustandtomatoesforthesauce.Theyalsolearnaboutthedairycowsthatgivemilktomakecheeseandeventhepigsforpepperoni.Inauniqueandentertainingway,visitorstothePizzaFarmquicklyrealizetheycouldnotenjoytheirfavoritefoodwithoutthehelpofafarmer!Formoreinformation,visitwww.thepizzafarm.com.
(Informationcourtesyofwww.thepizzafarm.com.)
BooksandMagazines
Wehavefoundthisreadingmaterialtobeusefulandinspiring.Muchofitexpandsontopicsthatwehavetouchedoninthebook.
TheSmallFarmer’sJournaleditedbyLynnMiller—Whetheryouareinterestedinanyaspectoflifeonthesmallfarmorcuriousaboutdraftanimals,thismagazineisaphenomenalresource.
TheNewOrganicGrowerbyEliotColeman—Notonlyisthisbookanessentialreadforanyoneinterestedingrowingvegetables,buthisannotatedbibliographyisthebestthatwehavecomeacross.
FourSeasonHarvestbyEliotColeman
TheGardenPrimerbyBarbaraDamrosch
SoilandHealthbySirAlbertHoward
TheRodaleBookofCompostingbyDeborahL.Martin(editor),GraceGershuny(editor),andJerryMinnich(editor)
TeamingwithMicrobes:AGardener’sGuidetotheSoilFoodWebbyJeffLowenfelsandWayneLewis
TheWormBookbyLorenNancarrowandJanetHoganTaylor
CultureandHorticulture:APhilosophyofGardeningbyWolf-DieterStorl
TheOmnivore’sDilemmabyMichaelPollan
FeedingPeopleIsEasybyColinTudge
Packaging
Ifgrowingforthehome,anyairtightbagorcontainerwillwork.Ifyouaregrowingonalargerscale,findingbulkfood-gradebagsorclamshellscanbeusefulforkeepingyourcostsdown.
Uline,www.uline.com
GrowLights
Therearemanydifferenttypesofenergy-efficientmodelsonline.Aquickonlinesearchorvisittoyourlocalgardeningstorewillgiveyoualltheknowledgethat
youneed.
www.littlegreenhouse.com
KnifeSharpeners
Wehavefoundbothofthesekitstobeextremelyeffectiveatsharpeningknivesandscissors.Bothareavailableatwww.sharpeningsupplies.com.
DMTAlignerKit
LanskySharpeningSystem
SeedSources
Therearemanyseedsourcesatyourfingertips.Thesourcesthatwehavenamedhavegivenconsistentquality,quickshipping,andfriendlyservice.Allthreeofferbulkseed.
MountainValleySeedsinUtah:www.mvseeds.com,(801)486-0480
Johnny’sSelectedSeedsinMaine:www.johnnyseeds.com,(877)564-6697
KitazawaSeedsinCalifornia:www.kitazawaseed.com,(510)595-1188
Soil
Soilcanbeveryexpensiveandinefficienttoship.Looktoseewhatkindofqualitysoilsyouhavelocally.Ifyouaren’tabletogetanyofthesoilsthatwerecommend,trytofindonewithsimilaringredients.
FoxFarm(OceanForestBlend,HappyFrog)www.foxfarmfertilizer.com
PowerFloweravailableatwww.plantitearth.com
VermontCompostwww.vermontcompost.com
GrowingSupplies
Fortrays,lids,heatmats,andanythingelsethatyoumightneed,checkout:
Johnny’sSelectedSeedsinMainewww.johnnyseeds.com,(877)564-6697
SourcesIndividualCrops
Amaranth
www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/amaranth.html
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1990/v1-127.html#HISTORY%20AND%20TRADITIONAL%20USES
Arugula
www.gourmetsleuth.com/arugula.htm
http://greekfood.about.com/od/herbsspices/p/arugula.htm
Basil
www.herbsociety.org/basil/bhistory.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil
Beet
http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/beet2.html
http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/publications/vegetabletravelers/beets.html
Broccoli
http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/broc3.html
http://www.organicfood.com.au/Content_Common/pg-brocolli-facts.seo
Cabbage
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/753/
www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=19
Celery
http://www.foodreference.com/html/celery-history.html
http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/celery3.html
Chard
http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/swisschard2.html
http://growingtaste.com/vegetables/schard.shtml
Cilantro
www.soupsong.com/fcilantr.html
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=70
Cress
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:46:2392652887563286::NO::module,source,akzanz,rehm,akzname,taxid:mf,botnam,0,,Lepidium%20sativum,23709
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/1492/neglected.html
Endive
http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/endive2.html
www.endive.com/cuisine_nutrition.cfm
Mustard
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=93
PacChoi,TokyoBekana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_cabbage
http://www.hungrymonster.com/FoodFacts/Food_Facts.cfm?Phrase_vch=Herbs&fid=5908
Pea
http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/vege006/vege006.htm
Radish
http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/radish2.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radish
Composting
CarbontoNitrogenChartInformation
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/needs_carbon_nitrogen.htm
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/1808/353.PDF
www.css.cornell.edu/compost/chemistry.html
Materials
SeedViabilityChartInformation
www.ext.colostate.edu/Pubs/Garden/07221.html
www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-316/426-316.html
www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1995/3-3-1995/seedv.html
HealthandMicrogreens
SourceofUnitedStateslosingover4.5millionfarmsinformation
http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/gardner.agriculture.us
SourceofPercentageofU.S.PopulationWorkingonFarmshttp://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Trends_in_U.S._Agriculture/images/farm_populationcharts.asp
SourceofPaulBergner’sBookInformationwww.soilandhealth.org/06clipfile/Nutritional%20Quality%20of%20Organically-Grown%20Food.html
Bergner,Paul.1997.TheHealingPowerofMinerals,SpecialNutrients,andTraceElements.PrimaPublishing,Rocklin,CA.312p.
SourcesofDIMandSulfuraphaneInformationwww.hopkinsmedicine.org/press/1997/SEPT/970903.HTMwww.dimfaq.com/index.htmhttp://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/i3c/http://www.rssl.com/OurServices/FoodENews/Newsletter.aspx?ENewsletterID=57#3
SourceofPennStateResearchInformationhttp://live.psu.edu/story/10981
Sourceof“Theaveragetimethatittakesourproducetogetfromthefieldsintoourhomeshasincreasedexponentiallyinthelastcenturyasourfarmshavebecomefewerandfartheraway.”www.kitchengardeners.org
Sourceof“Afterthewar,manyofthecompoundsthatwereusedintheproductionofbombsweretransformedintoagriculturalfertilizers.”http://www.michaelpollan.com/article.php?id=81www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe40s/crops_04.html
Sourceof“MollyKatzendescribedthisphenomenoninarecentinterviewwhenshetalkedabouttakingagroupofschoolkidsto‘ThePizzaFarm’innorthernCalifornia.”InterviewPodcasthttp://trashotron.com/agony/news/2008/01-07-08.htm#010708
MetricConversionChartTable11.1.MetricConversionChart
VolumeMeasurements WeightMeasurements TemperatureConversionU.S. Metric U.S. Metric U.S. Metric
1teaspoon 5ml 1/2ounce 15g 250 1201tablespoon 15ml 1ounce 30g 300 1501/4cup 60ml 3ounces 90g 325 1601/3cup 75ml 4ounces 115g 350 1801/2cup 125ml 8ounces 225g 375 1902/3cup 150ml 12ounces 350g 400 2003/4cup 175ml 1pound 450g 425 2201cup 250ml 2-1/4pounds 1kg 450 230