MICROGREENS

Microgreens such as wheatgrass are baby plants – the smallest possible version of the leafy greens you would otherwise buy or grow. They are harvested when just 3cm-5cm tall, but once harvested they won’t resprout. These small plants are said to contain anywhere between four and 40 times the nutrient value of their mature counterpart. That’s because the plants are harvested before all the food in the seed is used to feed the growth of a mature plant. Some of the most popular microgreens are basil, broccoli, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, pea, mustard and radish.

Any type of shallow, plastic container is suitable for growing microgreens, so long as it has drainage holes. Simply add 5cm of seed-raising mix and mist with water. Sow seeds and lightly press into the soil. Mist with water again. Sprinkle a fine layer of soil on top, then place the container in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. Once the seeds germinate, place the container near a sunny window. Give the seedlings another 7-10 days to grow, then begin harvesting.