Did you know that eating bean microgreens has more health benefits for you than eating lettuce? This is because bean microgreens are low in carbohydrates and sugars. In addition, they have a low water content, which is helpful when it comes to balancing the mineral content of your soil. What’s more, they have very low acid contents, making them highly suitable for any hydroponic method you use.
Bean microgreens can be used for indoor or outdoor growing. There are some great growing tips that you should keep in mind when planting them. If you are planting them in a bigger container, put them in the center or at the back of the container. They will not have a chance to get too crowded out. Keep an eye on the space around them, and make sure that there are enough broccoli seeds so that there are no issues when it comes to air circulation and cooling.
When using hydroponic methods for growing microgreens, remember that they are best planted in loose layers. This is because as the plant grows, it takes up more room. When you first start out with planting, put one inch worth of fresh material at a time. As the plant starts to mature and produce more foliage, you can add another inch worth.
For a beginner gardener, I would suggest growing a few varieties of microgreens. If you only have a red wintergreen variety, then try growing a few purple and white. On top of that, there are other popular varieties that include strawberry, alfalfa and mung beans. Just remember that you will have to water these frequently if you want them to bloom fully. As they grow older, you will need to reduce watering.
Once you have chosen the variety of bean microgreens you would like to grow, make sure you get them started in a well-drained, hydroponic medium. Most varieties will do quite well with a mix of soil and gravel. However, it’s important that your mix is free of manure, fertilizer and anything that contain an excessive amount of lime. This can cause your microgreen plants to become a little slower growing. So, always make sure that your medium is well-maintained before starting them.
To begin germinating, you should drain the bottom of your pot of the excess water. Add a half a cup of bleach or organic citrus if you are using a strawberry variety. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the leaves and stems of the microgreens. The reason for this is because if there are left over vegetative matter that hasn’t yet sprouted when you drain off the water, then it can be converted into toxins that can harm both your plants and garden soil. Once the leaves have been rinsed off, pour the pre-soak into your growing medium, and wait for it to become plump.
Once you have the pre-soak added to the growing medium, you can place the germinate seeds or seedlings on top of the pre-soak. To initiate a germination period, cover the bottom of the tray with a piece of cardboard. Place a piece of cheesecloth over the top of the box to keep the seeds from getting accidentally dropped, as they will likely be suspended. Place three spoons of baby salt in the bottom of the tray. Place the micro green on top of the salt, turn it over, and cover it tightly with the cheesecloth.
For best results, use a combination of spoons of calcium sulfate, kelp powder or alfalfa powder. This mixture will aid in the growth of the micro greens, as well as provide a firm foundation on which they can sprout. Make sure the seeds are covered completely with the product they are to receive. After an initial seeding rate of roughly one percent, seedlings can be seeded every two weeks using a sharp scissor. Once the plants have sprouted to approximately six inches, harvesting can be accomplished by removing the seeds from the tender roots.