Microgreens: The Nutritional Powerhouse That Thrives in Any Space!
At Natural Yield, we share a deep passion for real food. We believe in understanding what nourishes our bodies, where our food comes from, and the importance of supporting local producers. In today’s world, where the true nutritional value of supermarket produce can be questionable, microgreens offer a refreshing solution – a nutrient-dense superfood you can cultivate yourself at home!
Microgreens Are More Than Just Cute Sprouts
Microgreens are young, tender, and flavourful seedlings of edible vegetables, herbs, and flowers which are harvested as their first leaves emerge. Ranging between 0.02-0.07mm, these miniature marvels are cross between a sprout and a baby green.
Studies suggest these can contain multiple times more vitamins and minerals than mature plants. Full of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, these can be eaten raw, juiced, blended, or can be used to add colour and texture to salads, sandwiches, wraps, and smoothies.
A Nutritional Powerhouse for Your Plate:
- Essential Vitamins & Minerals: Microgreens are a vibrant source of vitamins A, C, E, K, B complex, iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These micronutrients play a crucial role in various bodily functions, from maintaining strong bones and vision to supporting a healthy immune system and promoting cognitive function.
- Antioxidant Boost: Microgreens are rich in antioxidants, which help combat free radicals in the body. Free radicals can damage cells and contribute to chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. The high antioxidant content in microgreens may offer some protection against these conditions.
- Enhanced Digestion: Many microgreens are high in dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes gut health. A healthy gut microbiome is essential for overall well-being and can even influence mood and immunity.
Why Choose Natural Yield’s Local and Sustainable Approach?
- Local Focus & Reduced Footprint: We proudly provide our local community with fresh microgreens. our true passion lies in empowering everyone to grow and share the joy of microgreens within their families and communities.
- Superior Quality & Freshness: You can be confident in their quality and freshness by nurturing your microgreens from seed to harvest. You’ll have complete control over the growing process, ensuring they’re free from harmful chemicals or unnecessary handling.
- Year-Round Availability: Unlike seasonal vegetables, microgreens thrive indoors, allowing you to enjoy a constant supply of fresh, local greens throughout the year. This is particularly beneficial in colder climates or during seasons with limited access to fresh produce.
- Endless Culinary Creativity: Microgreens offer a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures to explore. From the peppery kick of radish to the mild, grassy notes of wheatgrass, or the delicate sweetness of pea shoots, microgreens can elevate any dish. They’re a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups, smoothies, or even used as a garnish to add a burst of flavour and colour.
Getting Started: Your Microgreen Oasis Awaits
The beauty of microgreens lies in their ease of cultivation. They require minimal space, and equipment, and can thrive indoors, making them perfect for anyone with limited gardening experience or those living in apartments.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Seeds: Choose organic (where available), untreated seeds specifically for microgreens. Popular options include radish, sunflower, broccoli, pea shoots, beet, and kale. Natural Yield offers a curated selection of high-quality microgreen seeds sourced locally whenever possible, ensuring a successful and sustainable growing experience.
- Bootsrap Farmer Trays: Bootstrap farmer trays come with shallow depth allowing for proper root development. Designed for bottom watering, mimicking natural rainfall ensures even moisture distribution. All these features help you easily cultivate microgreens at home.
- Growing Medium: Opt for a sterile, soilless growing medium like coco coir or a pre-mixed seed starting mix. Avoid using garden soil, as it can harbor bacteria and be too dense for microgreens.
- Bootstrap Farmer Trays: Bootstrap Farmer trays water from the bottom, like what they get in nature. This keeps the microgreens nice and moist, which helps them grow strong.
Harvesting Your Microgreen Bounty:
- Microgreens are typically ready to harvest 7-14 days after planting, depending on the variety.
- A good indicator of harvest time is when the first true leaves have fully developed. The seedlings should be around 0.02-0.07 metric tall and have a vibrant green color.
- Use sharp scissors to harvest your microgreens just above the soil line. This allows for some regrowth from the same tray in certain varieties.
- There are few varieties that can be harvested multiple times from the same tray as they regrow cutting. Snip off the top growth and wait for new leaves to emerge.
Tips for Success:
- Temperature: Most microgreens prefer a cool room temperature between 60-70°F (15-21°C).
- Air Circulation: Ensure proper air circulation to prevent mold growth. You can use a small fan on a low setting to achieve this, or simply rotate the trays occasionally.
- Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly before handling seeds and trays to minimize the risk of contamination.
- Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different seed varieties and flavor combinations to discover your favorites! Natural Yield offers a curated selection to get you started, and we’re always happy to recommend options based on your taste preferences.
Natural Yield: Your Partner in Microgreen Cultivation
At Natural Yield, we’re passionate about empowering you to grow your own fresh, healthy food. We offer a curated selection of high-quality microgreen seeds sourced locally whenever possible, along with helpful resources and ongoing support to guide you on your microgreen journey.
Join the Natural Yield community and unlock the world of microgreens! Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive tips, tricks, recipes featuring microgreens, and updates on new seed varieties and future product offerings, including potential locally sourced options grown through our own scaled-up hydroponics operations.
Together, let’s cultivate a healthier, more sustainable food system, starting from your windowsill!