Microgreens, sprouts, soils sprouts, shots and baby greens are all immature greens. The difference is when they are harvested.
1. Seed Sourcing
Remember to keep things simple.
Make a plan of what you would like to grow and keep track of the dates of seeds.
Keep in a air tight container in a dark place
Most seeds will last up to 3 years if stored properly
Mumm's Sprouting Seeds
William Dam ( most vegetable catalogues will have a microgreen section)
Popcorn, can try to use one from the grocery store
Seed ideas: peas, sunflower, radish, broccoli and any cabbage family plants, buckwheat, beets, amaranth
2. Equipment Needed
Soilless mix
Aluminum planting trays or any container that will hold about 1 ½ inches of soil depth
Fertilizer
Compost
Getting Started
Seed Soaking
The first step is to soak the seeds in water for min of 6 hrs but not longer than 24 before planting.
Large seeds: sunflower, radish, buckwheat and peas use 1 tbs of seed per small container.
Small seeds: broccoli family, mustard and any seeds smaller than a grain of rice use 1 tsp per small container.
Soil Preparation
Use soilless mix which is a mix of peat, vermiculite and perlite and sometimes lime. Don't use garden soil or compost!
The mix comes dry and compressed so it will need to be thouroughly wetted prior to use.
Mix 4 l of soil with 4-5 cups of water. Once wet it shoul have a consistency of a crumbly brownie mix.
Once wetted this mix can be stored in ziplock bags ready to use for daily planting. Before putting the soil in the container, place 2 tsp of diluted kelp meal liquid in the bottom of the tray. Add compost if you have some, ¼ cup.
Next, fill the trays with 1 ¼ cups of pre moistened soil mix and level it pressing down lightly.
Plant Seeds
Drain the water off the soaking seeds and give them a quick rinse. Place the rinsed seeds on top of the soil. Spread the seeds with your fingers to ensure that they are not clumping on top of each other. For smaller seeds like broccoli, a spoon may be helpful.
Cover the Seeds
Fold paper to fit the shape of a container you are using. Paper covers keep the seeds moist and dark until they sprout.
If the paper dries out before day 4 pour a little water on top. Check your seed trays every day.
Store the seeds in a warm and dark place like a closet or on top of a fridge. If the environment is too cool or wet, mold may develop.
Watering
Check your trays daily and water if needed. General rule is that they need water when the container feels light. Make sure to not overwater! Once mature, water the soil not the sprouts.
Greening
After 4 days growing in the dark, at 1 inch high, the shoots will be ready to come out into the light. Place they on a window sill or near a light source.
Harvest & Storage
Cut the greens 1/4” above the soil using scissors of knife. You can lift the entire thing of sprouts out if needed for easier cutting.
