Microgreens: The Best Beginner's Guide

Learn the basics of growing microgreens at home with our comprehensive guide. Discover the top recommended varieties for beginners and enjoy adding fresh, flavorful, and nutrient-rich microgreens to your meals.

What are Microgreens?

Microgreens are harvested as young vegetable seedlings, typically reaching about 2 inches tall. The initial leaves, referred to as cotyledons, are then selected for harvest.

Common microgreens include salads, herbs, beet greens, radish greens, kale, arugula, chard, peas, watercress, and bok choy.

Sprouts start as dry beans and seeds. They are sprouted by soaking in water, then draining, and then allowing to grow. Once wet, they draw on their stored nutrients and begin to grow. Being young, most sprouts are sweet and tender and provide interesting textures, being crunchy rather than fibrous like older plants. Many different sprouts are available and they are often sold in combination packs.

Homegrown microgreens on your kitchen counter.; Microgreens have an intense flavor and high nutritional value, making them perfect for salads, hors d'oeuvres, sandwiches, and garnishes. They are popular in restaurants and can be combined for beautiful and tasty mixes in the kitchen.

Baby leaf Microgreens are known for being more mature compared to microgreens and for possessing a well-developed first true leaf. Depending on the specific variety, they can be harvested at sizes ranging from 2 inches to 6 inches. Some types can even be gathered once their true leaves are fully formed yet still tender, while others are best harvested entirely, roots and all. These versatile veggies are often added to a variety of dishes including salad mixes, braising mixes, soups, sushi, and sashimi, providing a unique opportunity for regrowth and multiple harvests.

Microgreens and baby leaf vegetables make excellent edible garnishes.Grow fresh and nutritious microgreens from seed in as little as a week by planting 4-6 seeds per square inch in a raised bed or shallow container with well-drained soil. Harvest when the first true leaves appear and they reach a height of 1" to 2".