Microgreens have a quick growth rate and are bursting with robust flavor. Growing microgreens in soil is difficult because you must replace the material after each harvest. The process is costly and messy, but you can grow microgreens hydroponically with ease.
Growing Microgreens Hydroponically
Hydroponics is an easy way to ensure a bountiful supply of microgreens for the kitchen. When grown in a nutrient solution, such as Humboldts Secret Starter Kit 1 and an inert medium, the tiny green plants flourish.
What are Microgreens?
Microgreens are not a specific species of plant but a collection of plants that must be harvested as a very specific stage during the growth process. Depending on the microgreens, you’ll either harvest when their cotyledons are present or wait until their true leaves appear. Microgreens are terribly like baby greens. They are highly nutritious, and you can dine on the stem and leaves. Some common types of microgreens include buckwheat, arugula, sunflower, cress, amaranth, and broccoli.
How to Grow Microgreens
You can easily grow microgreens hydroponically. In fact, if you are new to hydroponics then these little plants are a great choice because they are simple and very straightforward. When grown hydroponically, the microgreens will rely on a potent nutrient solution combined with a soilless growing medium. You will be starting hundreds of tiny seeds.
To hydroponically grow microgreens, you will need:
- A nutrient solution (such as Humboldts Secret Starter Kit)
- Microgreen seeds
- Grow medium
Water pH Levels
Water is the key component when growing hydroponically. The water’s pH is crucial. Microgreens always perform best with a pH of 6.0. If you are using tap water, then you might need to lower the pH before trying to grow microgreens hydroponically.
Offer Correct Lighting
Proper lighting meets the needs of the microgreens and provides them with the energy that they need to flourish. Grow lights are ideal or you can go with natural sunlight if you are growing inside the confines of a greenhouse. If your microgreens start to take on a spindly appearance then they are probably reaching for the light which means you will need to provide more light or move the plants closer to the lights to create a compact growth.
Room Temperature
Microgreens germinate when the temperature is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are growing your microgreens in a location that is colder than you might want to use a heating mat to increase the temperature around the plants.
Nutrient Solution
Your microgreens will need a balanced nutrient solution such as Humboldts Secret Solution Starter Kit 1 which has been formulated to meet the needs of your plants during every growth cycle. The kit comes with everything you need to make sure your plants flourish.
Using a Growing Tray and Pad for Microgreens
One of the most efficient ways to grow microgreens hydroponically is with a growing tray and growing pad. The pads are formulated from organic material like coco coir or hemp and they fit in the trays. The pads rapidly absorb the nutrient solution giving the seeds the optimum amount of moisture to germinate.
Grow Microgreens hydroponically with ease and enjoy the tasty greens with every meal. Contact Humboldts to learn more about our full line of nutrient solutions.
