Green up your February

This time of year, gardeners are gearing up to grow, but it’s too early to start any garden plants. As daylight increases, so will your desire to eat more greens. Just like gardens are seasonal, so is your body.

When cold strikes, we hunker down and crave warm, thick soups and stews rich in carrots and potatoes. As the daylight increases and the seed catalogs come pouring in, we crave lighter foods. So, if you take the desire to grow and the desire to eat greens, it’s time to plant some microgreens.

Unlike sprouts, microgreens are grown in soil. Then, we eat the leaves and stems, leaving the roots behind. Unlike sprouts, microgreens are harvested once the plant's first true leaves appear in 7-21 days after germination. Sprouts will produce in 2-7 days.

There are many different varieties of microgreen seeds. You can use garden seeds or purchase large bags of seeds packaged specifically for microgreens.

Any seed, from cabbage to cucumbers, can be grown and enjoyed on sandwiches or salads. Planting spicy varieties like radish, mustard greens, or spicy salad mix will boost the flavor of any salad or sandwich.

My favorite microgreens are sunflower sprouts, but don’t stop there. Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, radish, lettuce, dill, carrot, fennel, and celery are just a few varieties you may want to try this month.


PINTEREST FAIL: We all have them
I planted two batches of greens in December or early January, and because we have had so many grey days, they did not produce satisfactorily. So I will try again. If you are ready to install your transplant grow lights, that would help turn those gray days into sunshine.

Most of what you need to grow microgreens can already be found in your home.

1. Good quality seeds
2. Growing medium with potting soil or your home-grown compost. There are special mats you can purchase to grow greens. Here is one option https://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/microgreens-supplies/terrafibre-hemp-grow-mats-10%22-x-20%22-10-count-microgreens-accessory-7548.html?srsltid=AfmBOookpb92kUT0phGQ_3UyoPG1OUt2F_rBhyGaLweisF4VdjrD3VUM
3. Light, light, and more light. You may need those lights for 12-16 hours of daylight.

Fill a tray, a plastic container from take-out works perfectly. It doesn't need to be very deep. Sprinkle the seeds generously on the soil and mist. Use a plastic lid to cover the soil to keep it moist.

Check your trays daily and keep them moist.
Once the seeds have germinated, remove the cover and get those seedlings under the light.

Water and watch them grow greener every day. You should be harvesting in 7-10 days. Cut them with scissors at the soil line as you consume them.

Enjoy.