One of the newest “green” foods on the market is raw seed sprouts. Raw seed sprouts are just that, uncooked, unprocessed seed. There are many different types of seeds but most people are familiar with sunflower seeds and alfalfa sprouts. Microgreens are much smaller, black, red or purple seeds that are very similar to sunflower seeds.
It is actually possible to grow your own microgreens, or eating microgreens like a regular vegetable. You can either use seeds available at the store or buy some prepared varieties. They come in a variety of colors and tastes as well. There are many recipes online for growing microgreens. Some of them are easier than others and have videos included so you can follow along easily.
Many people are beginning to grow their own vegetables because they are cheaper to do and they are healthier. It is more nutritious to eat seeds than it is to eat a cucumber, squash or lettuce. You get all of the vitamins and minerals as well as enzymes from seeds that are not available from other vegetables. You may have to spend a bit longer growing seeds but they will be worth it.
When it comes to growing microgreens, remember that you should go into the garden about one to two weeks before you are ready to plant. This is the best time to start preparing the seeds for planting. The sprouts should be ready to harvest in about two weeks when you are ready for them. If you are growing a whole sprout it will take longer, but at least you are eating seeds that are ready to harvest.
Since the seeds are so small, you will have to plant them in pots or a small growing tray in your kitchen. If you are growing microgreens, a round pot works best and make sure that there are no clay soil conditions. Microgreens are much easier to get to the desired height when they are growing raw, so plan your planting holes ahead of time. When you are ready to plant, use a sharp knife to cut your seeds to about one-fourth inch tall and then drop them in the hole.
When you are ready to plant, keep your growing tray about one inch tall and then place your seeds on top of the growing medium. Make sure that your seeds are securely in place and press down firmly. Your growing medium should be packed tight with your microgreens but not stuffed. Continue to press down on your seeds and then remove them from the tray to reveal beautiful, fresh sprouts.
If you want to save some seeds for later you can save them in a sealed plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. Your seeds will stay fresh for up to a week after planting. When you are ready to harvest your sprouts, carefully remove the seeds from the bag and place them in your garden. For best results, use an eye dropper so that you can collect your sprouts without contaminating your vegetable patch with large amounts of germs. You can then make sure that the sprouts develop a strong root system before harvesting them.
One of the keys to growing raw vegetable seeds is ensuring that they are as dry as possible. Drying them out will make it harder for them to germinate. Once they are fully developed, it is important to store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to harvest them. There are many different sprout kits available today that ensure germination and complete growth of your sprouts. If you want to learn more about growing raw seed sprouts, check out my website today!