MicrogreensAGuidetoGrowingNutrient-PackedGreens

EricFranksandJasmineRichardsonPhotographsbyMargauxGibbons

MICROGREENSAGUIDETOGROWINGNUTRIENT-PACKEDGREENSDIGITALEDITIONV1.0

Text©2009EricFranksandJasmineRichardsonPhotographs©2009MargauxGibbonsexceptthefollowing:SaraRemington,photosoftraysofmicrogreensinForeword;inFindingaGoodSpottoGrowsectionandatendofHow-to-Growchapter;firsttwophotosinIndividualcrops

chapter;andphotoofErikFranksandJasmineRichardsoninRecipeschapter.

JasmineRichardson,photoofFourSeasonsFarminHealthandMicrogreenschapterCraigLovell,photoofbroccolifieldinHealthandMicrogreenschapter

ArielWilliams,sketchesofcompostreceptacleandtumblerinCompostingchapterAllrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedbyanymeanswhatsoeverwithoutwritten

permissionfromthepublisher,exceptbriefportionsquotedforpurposeofreview.

GibbsSmith,PublisherPOBox667Layton,UT84041

Orders:1.800.835.4993www.gibbs-smith.com

LibraryofCongressCatalog-in-PublishingDataISBN-13:978-1-4236-0364-1

ISBN-10:1-4236-0364-81.Greens,Edible.2.Cookery(Greens)I.Richardson,Jasmine.II.Title.

SB339.F732009635’.5—dc22

2008030670

Toourson,Haven

Heisthelightofourlivesandrepresentsabrightfutureforthisworld.Hecameintoourliveswhilewritingthisbookandhasexpandedourhearts

beyondbelief.

Wealsodedicatethisbooktoallofthefarmersthathavetakenthetimetosharetheirwisdomsothatthecraftoftraditionalfarmingcancontinueandflourish.ThankyoutoTimandFabienneRapsey,EliotColeman,BarbaraDamrosch,SiriBeringer,PaulBirdsall,andalloftheotherfine

peoplewhohavehelpedusalongtheway.

AspecialthankstoJenniferGillespiefortheguidanceandinspirationshehasgivenusovertheyears.

Lastly,wehavenewfoundgratitudeforourparentsaswestartourjourneywithHaven.Ourliveswouldnotbepossiblewithouttheloveand

supportthattheyhavegivenus.

Thankyou.

MicrogreensTableofContents

Foreword

Introduction

WhyMicrogreens?

HealthandMicrogreens

Materials

How-to-GrowTen-StepProcess

IndividualCrops

Composting

Recipes:FoodasArt

Troubleshooting

RecommendedBooksandResources

Sources

MetricConversionChart

ForewordOvertheyears,quiteanumberofyoungpeoplehaveworkedwithushereonthefarm.Theyarrivebright-eyedandeagertolearnmoreaboutfarmingandwetrynottodisappointthatexpectation.Overthecourseofallfourseasons,theyhelpustoproduceandmarketsome35differentvegetablecropsplusnumerousfruits,herbs,andflowers.Whentheydepartafterayearortwo,theyscattertothecornersoftheearth,sometopursuenew,untriedinterests,butmanytocarveoutacareerinthebroadworldoffoodproduction.JasmineandEricaremembersofthelatterbrigade.Theyweregreatworkersandbecamestaunchfriends.Itgivesusgreatjoytoseethemtakingtheirplaceintheever-growingranksofsmall-scale,earth-friendlyfarmers.Andweheartilycelebratetheirskillandexpertiseintheproductionofthatmostexquisiteofsaladingredients—microgreens.

Fromthemomentaseedsprouts,newlifeandnewlife-givingforcesarebeingcreated.Thequalityofthesoilandthecareofthegroweraretheguidinghands.Ateverystepinitslifecycletheplantoffersdifferentculinarypossibilitiestotheimaginativecook,possibilitiesthatarebecomingincreasinglyrecognizedinkitchenseverywhere.Ittakesagreatdealofknowledgeofsoilsandirrigationandattentiontodetailtonurturethoseseedstothedesiredstageofgrowth,andthenmuchcarefulthinkingandplanningtoharvest,pack,andmarketthematasufficientprofittomakeyourlivingfarming.ThreecheerstoJasmineandEricfortheirsuccessinpursuingthisgoalandthenpresentingitsoclearlyandthoroughlyinthisbookforotherstofollow,bothfarmersandhomegardenersalike.Bonappetit!

—EliotColemanandBarbaraDamroschHarborside,Maine

IntroductionWemetonasmallfarminruralPennsylvania.Linkedbyourloveforfoodandsmall-scaleagriculture,wetraveledthecountryworkingondiversifiedfarms.Westudiedmarketgardening,farmingwithdrafthorses,sustainableanimalhusbandry,andintensivefour-seasongreenhouseproduction.

Duringourtravelsandtraining,welearnedaboutmicrogreens.WebegangrowingtheminthedeadofwinteratBarbaraDamrosch’sandEliotColeman’sFourSeasonFarmonthetipofCapeRosierinHarborside,Maine.Oneofthephilosophiesbehindtheirfarmwas“farmingonthebacksideofthecalendar,”sowesuitedupinourlongjohnsforalongMainewinter.Whilewefocusedonthewintersaladproduction,wealsoexperimentedwithgrowingmicrogreensassomethingnewanddifferenttoofferourlocalchefs.Astheseasonprogressedandspringsetin,theresponsibilitiesofthefarmtookusawayfromthisniche.Lookingback,itseemedasifthisshortstintwouldbetheonlytimethatwewouldgrowtheselittlebeauties.

Afterweleftthefarm,wepeeledoffthelongjohnsandmovedtocoastalCalifornia,beginningthesearchforlandtostartourownfarm.WemovedtoBigSur,wherewehadfamilyandfriends,andalthoughbeautiful,itisnottheidealplacetofindfarmland.However,itservedastheperfecthomebaseforstartingourhunt.Wefoundaplacetorentonthesideofamountainwithlessthanonehundredthofanacreofflatground.Atfirstsightitdidn’tlooklikeagoodplacetogrowanything,andbynowwehadbeenawayfromlifeonthefarmforseveralmonths.Wemissedgettingourhandsintheearth.Rememberingthesmallamountofspacemicrogreensrequired,westartedafewtraysforourselvesonourporch.

Slowly,webeganbringingsamplesdowntolocalrestaurants.Asdemandgrew,wegrewwithit.Ourporchquicklywentfromaplacetositandrelaxinthesuntoagreens-growinghaven.Suddenly,wefoundourselvesspendingallofourfreetimehoningandrefiningournewcraft.Weexperimentedwithdifferentvarieties,exploringthenever-endingvariationinflavorandappearancewhilecateringtothelocalchefs.Wedidmanytrialsonsoil,seed,andwaterpHtolearnwhateachcroppreferred.Webecamefullyimmersedintheworldofmicrogreens.

Struckbytheirnutritionalpotency,westartedthinkingofthedifferencetheycouldmakenotonlyinourcommunitybutinothersaswell.Welovedthebeautytheybroughttothedishescreatedbychefsbutwishedwecouldgetthesegreenstothebroaderpublicandinlargerquantities.Withoutrequiringalargefinancialinvestmentorsubstantialpreviousknowledge,microgreenscouldprovideastepping-stoneonthepathtonutritionalindependence.Communitiesaroundtheworldcouldeasilynourishthemselveswhileenrichingthelandaroundthem,addingfertilityforfuturegenerations.

Aswesharedthehealthbenefitsofmicrogreensandtheiraccessibilitywithothers,weweresurprisedbytheuniversalexcitementeveryonefeltaboutthem.

Growingtheirownmicrogreensseemedlikesomethingtheycouldeasilydoandevenenjoy.Weworkedonsimplifyingoursystemsothatwecouldsharethisknowledgewithevenmorepeople.

Acommonlimitationmanyfacewhentryingtogrowtheirownfoodisthecommitmentitrequirestotakeonagarden.Justasspringandsummerarethebusiesttimesofthegarden,theyarealsobusytimesinpeople’slives.Weareoftentakenawayfromourhomesduringthesummermonths,leavingawell-intentionedgardenasaburdenorforgottenresponsibility.Homegardensareoftenfilledwithbeautifulproducewithnoonebutthebirdstoeatit.Growingyourownmicrogreensallowsyoutostopandstartwheneveryouwant,leavingyouwithlessofacommitmenttoattendto—thusallowingmoretime,flexibility,andeaseforyourlife.

ThepurposeofMicrogreensistogiveyouanavenuetothejoyofgrowingandeatingyourownfood.Wecanimagineatimewheneveryrooftop,windowsill,andsmallyardisalivewithtraysofmicrogreens.Evenpeopledrivingcampersacrossthecountrycouldbegrowingatrayintheirwindowwhilegerminatinganotherunderthebed.Youwillfindthatgrowinggreensissurprisinglyeasy.Wewillshowyoueachofthesimplestepsittakestogrow,harvest,andprepareyourownmicrogreens.

WhyMicrogreens?Overthepasttwentyyears,interestinlocal,fresh,andorganicfoodhasbeenontherise.Therehasbeenarejuvenationofthesmallfarmandarenewalofappreciationforfreshvegetables.Therevivalofthefarmersmarket,theinceptionoftheCSAmodel(CommunitySupportedAgriculture),andtheoverallmovementtowardsclean,wholefoodshasbeenextraordinaryandiscontinuingtogrow.Peoplearerediscoveringtheimportanceoffresh,locallygrownfood.Thismovementhasshownthatitisnotjustfortheaffluent,notonlyforthoseinterestedinfarming,butforthewholeofthepopulationandfuturegenerations.

Withtheirabilitytoaccentuateanddeepenourconnectionwithnature,webelievethatmicrogreenshaveaplaceinthegrowinginterestoffood.Harvestedveryearlyintheirlives,microgreensaretender,delicate,andhighlyflavorful.Theyhaveacrispyetmelt-in-your-mouthtextureandavarietyofflavorsthatswingfromsweettosavorytoearthytospicy.Throwintheexuberantbeautyoftheirreds,yellows,greens,andpurplesandyouhaveasaladthatispuredelight.Withallofthevariedtastesandtextures,integratingmicrogreensintoyourdietcanbefunandeasy.Embarkingonthisventureofgrowingandeatingyourowngreensdoesn’trequirethatyouchangeyourdiet.Packedwithgreattaste,theselittlegreenscanbeaddedtojustaboutanything.Eatenaloneasasaladoraddedtosoups,entrées,sandwiches,burgers,oranythingelseyoucanimagine,microgreenswillenhanceyourfoodandyourlife.

Overthepastfewyears,microgreenshavegainedpopularityasahotnewculinarytrend.FromNewYorktoLosAngeles,chefshavebeenenjoyingthemasawaytocreativelyaccentuateplatesoffoodandaddnewdepthsofflavortotheirdishes.Whilethistrendhasgrown,aselectfewgrowershavetakenadvantageofthisnichemarket.Eveninmetropolitanhubs,wherechefsareabletobuymostoftheirproducefromfarmersmarkets,muchofthemicrogreensmarkethasbeendominatedbymailorder.

FortheCommercialGrower

Growingmicrogreensisawayofexpandingthescopeofyouroperationtoincludethislargelyuntappedmarket.Wehavenevershownourgreenstoachefwhowasn’texcitedaboutusingthem.Thisexcitementisfilteringintotheconsumermarketaswell,makingdemandevenstronger.Asmoreandmorepeopleareexperiencingthequalitativedifferenceoffreshlocalproduce,yourmicrogreenswillselleasily.Offeringyourcommunitythisyear-roundresourcecanbeagreatwaytodiversifyyouroperation.Anotherbenefitthesegreensofferistheirabilitytobringinquickfarmincomewhilealsocontributingtoitsfertility.

Onmanyfarmsitoftentakesatleastacoupleofmonthstostartrecoupingthemoneyinvestedinpottingsoilsandcomposts.Whilethesmallfarm’sprimaryfocusisnotusuallyonmakingabuckbutratherthehealthofthelandanditssurroundingcommunity,steadyincomeisessentialtomeetingtheneedsofthefarmandfarmfamily.

Microgreensrequireminimalinitialinvestment,withmostvarietiescostinglessthantwodollarspertrayforseedandsoil.Oncesown,theycanstartgeneratingincomeinjusttwotothreeweeks.

Afteryourtrayshavebeenharvested,compostingyoursoilnowfilledwithstemandrootmatterisalsoquickandeasy.Intheheatofthesummerthissoilcanbeamended,composted,andreadytouseinunderamonth.Wehavemadeaspecialwormbinforthispurpose.Asourtraysarecomposted,alargeamountofearthwormcastingsareaddedtothesoil,enrichingitevenfurther.Atthispoint

itcanbeusedtostartyourseedlings,incorporatedintoyourfields,orevenusedtogrowmoremicrogreens.Withalloftheiradvantages,youcanseewhymicrogreenscanenhancethesmallfarm.

FortheHomeGrower

Growingyourownmicrogreensgivesyouaccesstofresh,livinggreensallyearlongwithminimalinvestmentofmoney,time,orpreviousknowledge.Thelittleamountofspacetheyrequiremakesthemaperfectfitforbothurbanandsuburbanfamilieswhodonothaveroomforagarden.Suddenlywearegiventheopportunitytocreatemasterpiecesinourownkitchens.Youwillseehowmicrogreenscantranscendthegourmetworldandbecomepartofeverydaylife.Theygiveusanopportunitytoslowdownandappreciatethebeautyoffood.Takingthetimetoexperienceourfoodinthiswayisawonderfulgifttogivetoourselvesandourfamilies.

Asidefromtheirextraordinarytasteandaestheticappeal,microgreensarealsoextremelynutritious.Theabilitytoharvestandeatthemwithinminutesgivesyouaccesstotheirmostnutritionallyrichstate.Theygiveusastrongdoseofdigestiblevitamins,minerals,andphytonutrients.Whileyourtastebudsenjoytheirintenseflavor,yourbodywillreapthebenefitsoftheirconcentratednutrients.

It’sararethingtoeatsomethingsogoodthatyougetgoosebumpsfromhowdeliciousandaliveitis.Wehavebeengrowingandeatingmicrogreensaladsforyearsandstilltheverythoughtoffixingoneforourselvesputssmilesonourfaces.Wearealwaysamazedathowmuchwecaneatinonesitting;it’scomparabletodrinkingacoldglassofwateronahotsummer’sday.Yourbodyisincompleteagreementwithyourmindthatthis,rightnow,isthegreatestthingyoucouldgiveyourself.

ChildrenandMicrogreens

Growingmicrogreensisnotjustforadults!Itcanbeafunandeasywayforchildrentoconnectwithnature.Microgreensprovideanengagingprojectathomeoratschool,teachingaboutwherefoodcomesfromandhowtogrowit.Childrenhavemoreofaconnectiontothingsiftheyareapartoftheprocess.Seedsbecometheirseedsthatgrowintotheirgreens.Anidentityandconnectionisformedwiththeplantsandtheirprogress.MollyKatzendescribedthisphenomenonwhenshetalkedabouttakingagroupofschoolkidsto“ThePizzaFarm”innorthernCalifornia.Thekidsspenttimewatchingandlearningaboutallofthecomponentsthatmadeuppizza;thecowsthatproducedthemilkthatmadethecheese,thefieldsthatgrewthewheatthattheygroundintoflourtomakethecrust,andthegrowingherbsandtomatoesthatmadeupthesauce.Then,theymadetheirownpizza.Shedescribedtheanticipationastheywaitedfortheirpizzatofinishbaking;eachonecheckingeverycoupleofminutestoseeiftheirmasterpieceswerecomplete.Thisexcitementdoesn’thappenwhileourlittleoneswaitforfrozenpizzatoappearontheirplates.Itisagifttogiveourchildrenanawarenessoftheirfoodanditsprocess.Especiallyinsuburbanandurbanareas,manychildrentodayaren’tquitesurewherefoodcomesfrom.Ifonehasneverseenacarrotharvestedoutoftheearth,howwouldyouknowthatiswhereitcamefrom?Itcouldbejustaslogicalthatacarrotcomesfromacanorsimplyfromthestore.Startingmicrogreenswithyourchildrengivesthemachancetogettheirhandsintheearth.Itgivesthemtheopportunitytodiscoverwhatelseisgrowinginthesoil.Itbecomesaliveintheirminds,astheywatchwormsbreakdowntheirkitchenscrapsorseedsspringtolife.Youmayevenfindyourpickyeatersaskingformoregreensontheirdinnerplates!Oncethislivingworldhasbeenbroached,thepossibilitiesareendless.Fromafewsimpleseedscomebrand-neweyesfornature.

Microgreensvs.Sproutsvs.BabyGreens

Sprouts,microgreens,andbabygreensareallstagesinaplant’sdevelopment.Eachhasidentifyingcharacteristicsandvaryingnutritionalvalues.Asproutisthefirststageofaseed’sdevelopment.Theword“sprout”isactuallysynonymouswithgermination.Grownindifferenttypesofcontainers,theseseedsarekeptmoistandatroomtemperatureuntiltheygerminate.Insteadof

allowingthemtogrowinamediumandestablishintoaplant,sproutsareconsumedrightaftertheygerminate.Oftenslightlyopaqueandyieldingacrunchytexture,theyhavebecomeincreasinglypopularfortheirnutritionalvalue.

Whengrowninamedium(soilorotherwise),thesecondstageofaseed’sdevelopmentinvolvestheestablishmentofitsrootsandtheopeningofitsfirstleaves,calledcotyledons.Greensharvestedatthisstagearecalledmicrogreens.Ifmicrogreensareallowedtocontinuetogrow,theyputontheirnextsetofleaves,called“trueleaves.”Trueleavesaretheleavesofaplantthatdistinguishitfromanotherplant.Whilemanybrassicas(cabbage,broccoli,arugula,etc.)allhaveverysimilarheart-shapedcotyledons,whentheirtrueleavesdeveloptheylookquitedifferentandareeasilydistinguishedfromeachother.Thesegreensareharvestedintheirinfancy,andareonlyallowedtogrowinthesoilforaweekortwo.Theyhaveallofthehealthbenefitsofsproutswiththeaddedadvantageoftracemineralsbroughtupfromthesoiltheyaregrownin.Atthisstagetheirtexture,appearance,andflavoraremuchmorelikeasaladgreenthanacrunchysprout.Iftheseedwereallowedtocontinuetogrowpastthetrueleafstageand,givenenoughspaceandtime,itwouldeventuallyreachthebabygreenstage.Babygreensaretenderleavesthatarepopularinsaladmixesoftencalledmesclunorspringmix.Theyaremoreflavorfulandtenderthanleavesfromafull-grownheadoflettucebutlosesomeoftheintensityofflavorandnutritionalvaluethattheyhadatthemicrogreenstage.

Sprouts,microarugula,babyarugula

HealthandMicrogreensAshumanbeings,ourrootslieinthesoil.Althoughmanyofushaveforgottenthisimportantlinkoverthepastfewgenerations,ourconnectionwithnatureissoancientandfundamentalthatitcannotbecompletelydisregarded.Ifwhileweareeatingwepauseforamoment,wecaneasilyfollowourfoodbacktotheplants,theanimals,thesoil,andeventhewind,rain,andsun.Allofthesethingshavetheirconfluenceonthefarm.Thereisnoavoidingthatthehealthoftheearthandthehealthofhumanbeingsareintimatelytied.

Traditionalagriculturehasbeenpracticedforthousandsofyearsallovertheworld.Smallscaleandworkedbyhand,thesefarmsarehighlydiversifiedandskillfullytended.Diversifiedfarmersmakethecraftofsoilstewardshiptheirprimarywork,farminginawaythatactuallycontributestoandenrichesthelifeofthefarmandeverythingandeveryonethatinteractswithit.Theanimalsraisedherearealertwithhealthycoats.Thesoilisrich,dark,andsweetsmelling.Theplantsarelushandgrowvigorouslywithlittlesignofstress.Thefoodgrownherecontributesbalanceandhealthtoitssurroundingcommunity.Eventheaveragepasserbycannoticethat“inexplicablesomething”thatpermeatestheairaroundsuchafarm.

Thelargerafarmisinscaleandthelargeritsindustrialintentions,thefurtheritdivergesfromthisdiversifiedsmall-farmmodel.Overthelastcenturytherehasbeenagradualshiftinthescaleandfocusofthefarminthiscountry.BytheendofWorldWarII,itwascommonlythoughtthatmodern,mechanizedindustrialsystemsweresuperiortosmall-scaletraditionalmethods.Alongwithindustrializationcamethebeginningofchemicalfertilizeruseinagriculture.Afterthewar,manyofthecompoundsthatwereusedintheproductionofbombsweretransformedintoagriculturalfertilizers.

Duringthistime,beliefthatfarmsneededtobelargetotakeadvantageofthefactoryphilosophytookhold.Manyfarmersmovedoffthelandandintothecitiestojointhegrowingtrendofindustry.Thefamilyfarmslowlydisappearedasbigagri-businesstookhold.

Overthelastcentury,theUnitedStateshaslostover4.5millionfarms.AccordingtotheU.S.censusbureau,thepercentageofpeoplelivingandworkingonfarmshasgonefrom40percenttolessthan1percent.

Alongwiththisrestructuringofournation’sfarmscametheinevitablecompromiseofthequalityofproduceavailable.InPaulBergner’sbook,TheHealingPowerofMinerals,SpecialNutrientsandTraceElements,USDAstatisticsareincludedthatillustratethisdecline.Thesefiguresshowmineralandvitamincontentdeclininginseveraltypesoffruitsandvegetablesbetweentheyears1962and1992.Amongothers,calciumdroppedbyalmost30percent,ironby32percent,andmagnesiumby21percent.

Producenutritionislimitedbythequalityofsoilitwasgrownin,howitwasharvested,itstreatmentafterharvest,andhowolditisonceitreachesyourfork.Togetasenseofhownutritiousmicrogreensare,wemustfirstlookathowthesevariablesaffectthenutritionalcontentofourproduce.

Smalldiversifiedfarm(EliotColemanandBarbaraDamrosch’sFourSeasonFarm,Harborside,ME)

Largescalemonoculture(broccoli,SalinasValley,CA)

HealthandSoil

Theinteractionsbetweenplantsandsoilaresovastandcomplexthatsomepeoplehavededicatedtheirentirelivestostudythem.Fromthesestudies,scientistsarereaffirmingwhatthetraditionalfarmerhasknownforthousandsofyears;diversityisoneofthekeystohealthysoilandthereforehealthyplantsandanimals.Croprotations,composts,soilamendments,sustainableanimalhusbandry,andthegrowingofawidevarietyofvegetablesallconvergeintotheexpandingdiversityandfertilityoftheland.Producegrowninfertilegroundisabletoacquireanabundanceofphytonutrients,minerals,andtraceelements.Afocusonthehealthofsoilbiologyleadstoinherentpestanddroughtresistance,creatingafarmthatisabletosustainlifeindefinitely.

Inconventionalagriculture,soilhasbecomemerelyamediumthatholdsourvegetablesuprightinsteadoftheliving,dynamicforcethatitshouldbe.Inthismodel,sustainablesoilmanagementisseenasin-efficientandinferior.Focus,instead,isputonlarge-scalesingle-cropproduction(monoculture)andbroad-spectrumchemicalfertilization.Insideofthissystem,thevastamountofsoil-enrichingtechniquesareignoredandreplacedwithcontinuousapplicationsofthreewater-solublefertilizers:nitrogen,phosphorus,andpotassium(N-P-K).

Biologicallifeinthesoilisgreatlyreduced,compromisingitshealthandintegrity.

Oncethisproblemhasbegunbelowthesurface,symptomsbegintoariseintheplantbodies.Suddenlytheplant’snaturalresistancetopests,fungus,anddiseasehasbeencompromised,leavingitopenandvulnerabletoattack.Thisproblemistreatedinconventionalagriculturewiththeapplicationofawiderangeofpesticidesandfungicides.Theresultsseemeffective.Fewerbugs,lessdisease,lessoveralldamagetotheplant.Tothenakedeye,thesoilstilllooksbrownandtheplantstilllooksgreen.Itseemslikeanefficient,effectivemethodofcontrollingtheseunwantedvariables.Unfortunately,asthesoilcontinuestobeignored,vegetablesaregivenheavierandheavierapplicationsofthesetoxicsubstances.Eventuallythechemicalshavetobesohazardousthatspecialsuitsandmasksneedtobeusedtoapplythem.Atthispoint,ifyouweretotakeacloserlookunderthesurface,youwouldnoticethelossofbiologicallifeandtheeventualdeathofthesoil.Onceallofthemicrobiallifehasbeenkilled,noamountofnitrogen,phosphorus,orpotassiumcanbringitback.Soilthatwasoncerichandfertilebecomesunsuitableforagriculture.Thesoilhasbecomesomethingtotreatratherthansomethingtobuildandstrengthen.Thisismirroredinthewaythatmodernmedicinecaresforthehumanbody.Muchtimeisspentaddressingapatient’ssymptomsratherthanlookingatthecause.Asvirusesaregettingstronger,soarepests.Wekeepincreasingthedosageonlytofindthattherootoftheproblemstillexistsandthesymptomsaregettingharderandhardertotreat.Somehavefoundamoreholisticapproach—lookingatthewholebody,thewholefarm,thewholeearth—tobethesolutionforbothhumanhealthandagriculture.Itisbecomingmoreandmoreofamainstreamideathathealthyfoodandanactivelifestylehelpwiththelongevityandhealthofhumans.

HealthandHarvesting

Howproduceistreatedduringharvestwillplayaroleinhowquicklyitstartslosingnutritionalvalue.Nomatterwhatthevegetable,assoonasaplantisharvesteditstartstodegrade.Themorethecellularstructureoftheplantisdamagedduringthisprocess,thefasterthelossofitsnutrients.Tokeepitsnutritionalintegrity,oneshouldputaslittlestressontheplantduringharvestas

possible.Vegetablesshouldbeindividuallyharvestedinthecoolestpartofthedayandquicklybroughtintorefrigeration.Youcanseewhyscaleissoimportanthere.Thelargerthefarm,thelessattentionispaidtoeachvegetableandtheidealharvestingcircumstancesitrequires.Qualityofproduceisoftensupersededbythevastquantitiesneededtobeharvested.Incontrast,thesmallfarmerisabletoskillfullyharvesteachvegetable,keepingasmuchofitsnutritionintactaspossible.

Aftervegetableshavebeenharvested,theygothroughthepackingandtransportationstage.Duringthisprocess,thetemperatureatwhichtheproduceisbeinghelddeterminesthespeedinwhichitlosesitsnutrients.EvidenceofthisisshownbyPennStateresearchersLukeLaBordeandSrilathaPandrangi.Theirtestingwasonthespeedofnutrientlossinspinachafterharvest.Itshowedthatthewarmerspinachisheld,thequickeritlosesitsnutritionalvalue.Theirresearchshowedthatevenwhenheldatasteady39degreesF(refrigerationtemperatures),mostofitsnutrientswerelostaftereightdays.

Basedonthisresearch,muchoftheproduceavailabletoushasalreadylostthemajorityofitsnutritionalvalue.Thisisespeciallytruewhenwearelookingatperishablegreens.EvenontheWestCoast,wheremuchofthecountry’sproduceisgrown,themajorityofthevegetablessoldinstoresarealreadyseveraldaysold.Whenyoulookattheextratimeittakestoshipalloverthecountry,youcanstartseeingwhylocalfoodissoimportant.Theaveragetimethatittakesourproducetogetfromthefieldsintoourhomeshasincreasedexponentiallyinthelastcenturyasourfarmshavebecomefewerandfartheraway.Notonlydoesthisaffectthenutritionalcontentoftheproduceavailabletousbutitalsohasasubstantialenvironmentalimpactwiththefossilfuelconsumptionitrequires.

NutritionalIndependenceandMicrogreens

Growingyourownmicrogreensgivesyouthechancetobringapieceofthesmallfarmintoyourownhome.Inessence,itgivesyouasliceofnutritionalindependence.Youcanhaveyear-roundaccesstofreshgreens,eveninthemiddleofwinter.Allofthefactorsthatcanlimitnutritionarewithinyourcontrol.Youareabletochooseasoilthatisfilledwithadiversityofingredients.Usinghigh-qualitysoilwillensureanabundanceofmineralsandtraceelementsareavailabletoyourgreens.Harvestingisonyourschedule.Youcanusesharpscissorsduringthecoolesthoursofthedaytokeepthenutritionintact.Youcanharvesttosuityourneedsandallowtherestofthetraytocontinuetogrow.The

packingandtransportationstageisvirtuallynonexistent,leavingyouwiththefreshest,mostnutrient-densegreensavailable.Youcantake“local”toawholenewlevel,providingyourselfandyourfamilywithmicrogreensallyearlongatthefractionofthepriceofgreensfromthestore.

Itcanbedifficult,overthecourseofanaverageweek,toconsumeawidevarietyofqualityvegetables.Duringthewintermonths,findingfreshlocalproducecanbeparticularlychallenging.Thishasledtothegrowingpopularityofsupplements.Peopleareverybusyandoftenreplacewhole-foodnutritionwithconvenientsubstitutes.Althoughmanybrandsofsupplementshaveincorporatedtechniquestotrytoretainpeaknutritionalvalue,nothingbeatsrealfood.Microgreenscombineconvenienceandquality.Theyprovidethequickandeasynourishmentweneedinourbusylives.Thehealthbenefitsofthesegreensdonotbeginandendwiththeirconsumption.Takingafewmomentsoutoftheweektoputyourhandsinthesoil,spreadsomeseed,andwatchyourgreensgrowcandeepenandenrichyourconnectionwithyourfoodandtheearth.Althoughoftenoverlooked,thehealthofourspiritmustalsobenourished.Beingapartofsomethingasfundamentalasthelifecycleofaplantgivesusthisopportunity.Wecanreconnectwithourheritageandbestewardsofthesoilinouronetrayofmicrogreens.Wecanslowdowntothespeedofplantsandenjoythesubtlenuancesofwater,air,andsunlightuntilwereturnagaintotherhythmofourlives.

CruciferousVegetablesandCancerPrevention

Therehavebeencountlessstudiesdoneshowingthelinkbetweencancerpreventionandtheconsumptionofcruciferousvegetables(i.e.,allbrassicas:broccoli,cabbage,arugula,etc.).Thecrystallinecompounds(indoles)foundincruciferousvegetableshavearangeofhealthbenefits.Studieshaveshownasignificantreductionofcasesoflung,breast,colon,ovarian,andbladdercancerinpeoplewhoeatadiethighinthesevegetables.Theycontainanestrogenstabilizer,diindolylmethane(DIM),whichisimportantforbothmenandwomen.Thebalancethatthiscompoundcreatesresultsingreaterresistancetocanceraswellastheencouragementofoverallhormonebalance.Cancergrowthcanbespurredbycertainestrogenmetabolitesactiveinthebody.DIMactsasadeactivator,stoppinggrowth.Therehasalsobeenextensiveresearchdoneontheeffectsofthephytonutrientsulfuraphane,whichisalsoabundantincruciferousvegetables.Thispowerfulphytonutrientaidsindetoxification,jump-startingtheliver’snaturaltendencytoflushthesystem.Unfortunately,itishardtoconsume

thequantitiesofcruciferousvegetablesneededtoreapthebenefits.Entermicrogreens.Studieshaveshownthatone-and-a-halfcupsoffull-grownbroccolihasthesameamountofthisphytonutrientasjustoneounceofbroccolifourdaysafterithasgerminated.Itisbelievedthattheyoungbroccolihastwentytofiftytimesasmuchsulfuraphaneasthefullygrown.Makesyouwanttoeatyourbrassicas,doesn’tit?

MaterialsGrowingmicrogreensrequiresonlyafewsupplies.Someofthesethingsyoumightalreadyhavearoundthehouse,whileotherswillbejustaminimalinvestment.

Trays

Duetotheshortperiodoftimemicrogreensspendintheircontainer,anyshallowreceptaclecanbeusedtogrowthem.Wefindthatstandard20x10-inchblackplastictraysworkwell.Thesetraysareoftenavailableatstoressellinggardeningsuppliesforaroundtwodollarspertray.Ifyouhavealocalnursery,youcouldchecktoseeiftheyhaveanytraysthatwouldotherwisebethrownaway.Especiallyinthespring,wehavefoundthatourlocalnurserygetssmallpacksofannualflowersheldinthesamesizetraysandhavenouseforthem.Wehavehundredsoftraysthatwouldhavebeenanaddedinvestmentifwehadn’tfoundthisniche.Theyarestackable,lightweight,reusable,andfairlydurable.Evenwhentheystartcrackingtheycanbereusedbystackingtwotogether.

Woodisanotheralternative.Ifyoufeelinspiredtomakeyourcontainersoutofwood,theywouldworkjustaswell.Youcouldevenuseanoldbakingpan;youwouldjustneedtocutafewholesinthebottomfordrainage.Whatyouarelookingforisashallow,lightweight,movabletray.

Anotheroptionisusingashallowflowerpot.Thereareafewfactorstobeawareofwhenchoosingapottogrowyourmicrogreens.Althougheasytofind,claypotscanhindergerminationbecauseoftheirtendencytodryoutquicklyandwickmoisturefromthesoil.Chooseawideshallowpotoveralargetallpottomaximizethesurfaceareaforyourgrowinggreensandminimizeunnecessaryextrasoiluse.Youmaywanttouseseveralpotsasyouryieldwillprobablybelessthanifyouwereusingastandardtray.

Whetheryoudecidetousewood,plastic,ormetal,properdrainageisveryimportant.Althoughoftenoverlooked,drainageisoneofthekeysforaplanttothrive.Whilebeingveryimportantinthegarden,itisevenmoreimportantinyourtrays.Ifyouarebuyingorcollectingplastictrays,theywillprobablyalreadyhaveholescutinthebottoms.Ifyouaremakingyourowntrays,besure

tocreateslitsorholestoallowexcesswatertoflowthrough.Ifthereisalackofdrainage,youwillfindstuntedgrowth,rot,andmoldinyourgreens.

Soil

Theheartofanyfarmorgardenisitssoil,andmicrogreensarenoexception.Choosingthepropersoiltogrowyourmicrogreensinisvital.Arich,fertilesoilisteemingwiththebiologicalandmineralinteractionsnecessaryforvibrant,nutrient-richplants.Apartfromafewelementsacquiredfromtheatmosphere,plantsdrawalloftheirnutritionfromthesoilandwater.

Duringourfirstseasonofgrowingmicrogreens,weusedseveralbrandsofpottingsoil,lookingforthebest.Throughoutthesetrialswewereastoundedtoseethedifferencesbetweenthem.Allofthesoilsthatweusedwerelabeled“organic”withingredientssuchasearthwormcastings,batguano,compost,etc.Asourgreensgrewinthesemediums,wequicklynoticeddramaticdifferencesingermination,growth,andoverallhealthoftheplants.Mostofthecheapersoilstoutingthesameingredientsfellshortwhenitcametosustainingthedensegrowthofthegreens.

Thesoilthatstoodoutinbothqualityandperformancehadadditionalingredientsderivedfromtheoceansuchaskelp,crabmeal,andshrimpmeal.Whileyoucouldusealesser-qualitysoilforotherthings,yourmicrogreenswilloftendemandmore.Usingahigh-qualitysoil,youwillenjoystrong,evengrowthandanincreasedyield.Whileyieldpertrayislessimportantforthehomegrower,acommercialgrowermustpaycloseattentiontothisdetail.Thecostofhigher-qualitysoilisoftenabsorbedbytheyieldsyouwillreapfromyourtrays.Wesuggestgoingtoyourlocalnurseryorhorticulturalstoreandspendingsometimelookingattheavailableoptions.Talkwiththeshopkeepersandchooseafewbrandsofpottingsoiltotakehomeandexperimentwith.Makesurethebagsarelabeledwiththeiringredientssoyouknowwhatyouaregetting.

SoilPress

Afterfillingyourtrayswithsoil,youwillneedatooltocreateaflatseedbed.Whenwefirstexperimentedwithgrowingthesegreens,wecutathickpieceofcardboardintheshapeofourtrays.Itworkedwellfortheshorttermbutinthelongrunbecamesoggyanddamagedfromweatherandwettrays.Ifsowingjust

afewtraysatatime,cardboardisagoodoption,butyoumayneedtoreplaceiteveryonceinawhile.Cardboardiseasytofindandisusuallyfree.

Asouroperationgrew,weneededamorepermanentpress.Insteadofmakinganotheroutofthesamematerial,wefoundsomewoodscrapsandconstructedapresswithahandle.

Seeds

Qualityseedsareanotherintegralpartofgrowingmicrogreens.Factorsthatwillaffecttheviabilityofyourseedsarestorage,handling,age,andseedsource.Ifyousowonethousandseeds,thedifferencebetweena95-percentgerminationrateanda50-percentgerminationrateisquitenoticeable.Itcanbedishearteningtohavegonethroughtheeffortofsowingandcaringforyourtraysonlytoseeasmallpercentageofyourseedscomeup.

Whenitcomestostoringandhandlingyourseeds,youwillwanttokeepthemcoolanddry.Avoidgreatfluctuationintemperatureandmoisture.Duringhot,humidsummerdays,bemindfulnottoleavetheminthesunorletthemgetcaughtinasummerthunderstorm.Properlycaringforyourseedswillmaintaintheirviabilityforalongerperiodoftime.

Yourseedpacketsofferyouvaluableinformationsuchasgerminationrate,age,andseedvariety.Unlesskeptinaspecialenvironment,yourseedswilllasttwotofiveyearsdependingonthevegetable.Theamountoftimethatyourseedswillstayviableisanaverageanddependsonwhetheryoukeeptheminproperconditions.

WithaccesstotheInternet,youhavehundredsofseedcompaniesatyourfingertips.Forthepurposeofgrowingmicrogreens,youarelookingforseedcompaniessellinginbulk.Manycompanieswillsellonlysmallpacketsofseeds,whichiswhatyouwouldfindatyourlocalgardeningstore.Whentryingoutanewcompany,startwithasmallquantityofseed.Ifrequested,manycompanieswillprovidefreesamples.Whenyouhavefoundthevarietiesyoulike,youwillprobablywanttomoveuptoquarter-poundbags.Ifyounoticeyourselfgoingthroughseedquickly,mostcompaniesofferpricebreaksatoneandfivepounds.Duetothevolumeofseedyouwillbegoingthrough,priceisaconsideration.Obviouslythecommercialgrowerwillgothroughquiteabitmoreseedthanthehomegrower.Therefore,theymightwanttoshoparoundtofindthebestcombinationofqualityandprice.

Asyouarebrowsingthroughseedcatalogs,youwillnoticesomecompaniesofferingbothorganicandnonorganicvarieties.Whilewealwaysadvocatesupportingsmall,local,andorganicsourcesofseeds,theyarenotalwaysavailableoraffordable.Aboveanythingistheimportanceoffindinguntreatedseedsfromreputable,service-orientedseedcompanies.

Somethinguniqueaboutgrowingmicrogreensistheneedforseedsthatnotonlyhaveahighgerminationratebutalsogerminateatthesametime.Wehavenoticedwithsomeofourseedstockwhatwecall“wavegermination.”Withtheseseedsthereisadifferenceinthetimingofgerminationwithinthesamesowing.Wehavenoticedasmuchastwotothreedaysbetweenthefirstandlastseedsgerminating.Thisphenomenonwouldusuallygounnoticedbymostpeoplegrowingfull-sizedvegetables.However,sinceweareharvestingourgreensjustonetotwoweeksaftergermination,weneedallofourseedsto“pop”atthesametime.

Seedqualityalsoplaysaroleafteryourseedshavecomeup.Wehavegrownbroccolithathadgreatgerminationbuthadterrible-lookingcotyledons.WehavehadChinaRoseradish,whichisnormallyabeautifulpink-stemmedmicrogreen,comeupwithwhitestems.Wehavealsohadpurplecabbagerangefromdarkpurpletogreen.Someofthesevariationswon’tbotherthehomegrower,butforthecommercialgrowerthesedeviationscanbefrustrating.

Seeds AverageYearsViableAmaranth 2Arugula 3Broccoli 4Beet 4Cabbage 4Celery 3Chard 4Cress 5Endive 5Mustard 4PacChoi 3Pea 3

Radish 5TokyoBekana 3

SeedViabilityChart

Towels

Usingclothorpapertowelsisaquickandeffectivealternativetocoveringyourseedswithsoil.Usuallyonewouldcoverasowntraywithadustingofsoil,enoughtocovertheseeds.

Forthehomegrower,withaccesstoawashingmachine,clothtowelsworkwell.Werecommendathin,lightweightcottoncloth.Youwillwanttowashthemfrequently,aswettowelscanbuildupmoldandbacteria.Inourcommercialoperation,papertowelshavebeenextremelyeffective.Withtheamountoftraysthatwesoweveryweek,usingpapertowelsbecameabetteralternative.Betweencompostingandusingtheminourvermiculturebins,papertowelsfiteasilyintooursystem.Justremembertopurchaseunbleachednaturalpapertowels,asyoudon’twanttobewateringbleachandotherchemicalsontoyourgerminatingseedsandsoil.Whichevertypeoftowelyouuse,itspurposewillbetoprovideacoveringlayertokeepyourseedswarmandmoistuntiltheygerminate.

Watering:Hoses,Sprayers,andWateringCans

Ifyouhaveasmallgardenorhouseplants,youmayalreadyhavesomeofthesuppliesyou’llneedtowateryourgreens.Ifyouaregrowingoutside,agardenhoseandasprayerwithseveralsettingswillbeimportant.Makesureyoucanadjustthestrengthofitsspray.Outofallthesettingsprovidedonoursprayer,amediumshowerhasbeenthemosteffective.Ifyouaregoingtobegrowingindoors,you’llneedawateringcan.Makesureithasanattachmentthatallowsthewatertosprinkleoutratherthanpouroutinonestream.

Sinceyouaregrowingthegreenssodensely,aircirculationisveryimportant.Youdon’twanttowaterthemsohardthattheyfallandmat.Ifthishappens,thelackofairandexcesswaterwillcausethemtorot.Ifyoufindthatyourgreenshavefallen,youcantrygentlybrushingthemuprightwithyourhand,orinotherwords,“fluff”them.Thekeytogoodwateringistobegentleyetthorough.

ThepHMeter

ThemeasurementofacidityoralkalinityofasolutionispH.ApHmeterisanimportantinvestmentwhengrowingmicrogreens.ThepHofyourwaterwilldeterminehowwellyourgreensareabletoaccessthenutrientsinthesoil.IfthepHistooloworhigh,thesenutrientsgetlockedupandbecomeunavailabletotheplants.Metersrangeinpricefromeighttoeightydollars.Cheaperoptionsrelyonliquidsolutionsandcolormatchingwhilethemoreexpensivemetersareoftendigitalandcanbeplaceddirectlyinthewaterbeingtested.WecannotsayenoughabouttheimportanceoftestingthepHofyourwater.WespentourfirsttwoseasonsunawareofthespecificwaterpHneedsofmanyofourcrops.Westruggledwithsomecropssuchasbeet,basil,andamaranth,uncertainofwhatwascausingtheinconsistencieswewereencountering.Wecameacrossrotandpoorgrowthinmanyofourtraysandspentalotoftimechangingdifferentvariablesinoursystemsothatwecouldcorrecttheseproblems.Nothingseemedtohelppermanently.Wewouldoftenseepromisingresults,onlytofindthatthesameproblemscamebackinfuturesowings.Whilebuyingsoilatourlocalhorticulturalstore,wespokewiththeowneraboutourplight.HesuggestedtestingandmonitoringthepHofourwater.Wefoundoutthatourwaterwasveryalkaline,registeringatan8onthemeter.WhilesomeofourAsiangreenshavebeenabletotoleratethishighpH,wediscoveredthatthecropsthatwehad

beenhavingtroublewithpreferredamuchlowerreading.Onceweadjustedaccordingtotheirneeds,allrot,dampingoff,andpoorgrowthceased.Itwaslikemagic.Still,weareastoundedatthedifferencebalancingourpHhasmadeforourgreens.

AdjustingthepHrequiresplayingalittlewithchemistry.ThereareseveraldifferentorganicproductsavailableforloweringorraisingpH.AsimplesolutionforloweringpH(increasingyourwater’sacidity)isusingabitoflemonjuice.Bakingsoda,powderedoystershells,orpowdereddolomitelimewillraiseyourpH(increasingyourwater’salkalinity).

Aswesaidearlier,oncethepHisbroughtintotheproperrangeforthecrop,theplantisabletodrawkeynutrientsfromthesoil.Nowthatwehavebeguntakingcareofthisfactor,weareabletogrowourgreenswellintotheirtrueleafstage.Insteadofbecomingstressedandstunted,thegreenshavecometoanewlevelofbeauty.Althoughitmayseemlikeanotherstep,webelievethatmonitoringyourpHiswellworthitandcangiveyouimpressiveresults.CropssensitivetohighpHarenotedintheIndividualCropschapter.

LidsforGermination

Ifyoudonothaveagreenhousetogrowin,youwillneedtoinvestinorinventlidstocoveryourtrays.Thiscreatesa“minigreenhouseeffect”andkeepstemperatureandmoistureatamoreconsistentstatethanifyourgerminatingseedswereexposedtoopenair.Thisisespeciallyimportantindryclimatesorinseasonswhenthereislargerfluctuationbetweenthenightanddaytemperatures.Iflidsarenotused,youmayfindyourseedgerminationisgreatlyreduced,uneven,andmuchslowerthancoveredtrays.Theextraexpenseiswellworthitinordertogetagoodyield.

Ifpurchasingyourlids,anylocalhorticulturalsupplystoreornurseryshouldcarrythem.Iftheyarenotavailableinyourarea,youcanfindthemonline.RefertotheresourcesectionofthisbookforspecificWebsites.Theaveragepriceseemstobearoundthreedollars.Rememberthatyouwillwantalidthatfitsyourcontainer.Onegoodthingaboutusingastandard-sizetrayisthatitiseasytofindlidsthatwillfitthem.Keepthisinmindifyoudecidetobuildyourowntraysorareusingaflowerpot.Ifyouuseatraythatisadifferentshapeorsize,youwillneedtocreateanalternativelid.Forthisyoucoulduseplasticbagsorapaneofglass.Ifplasticlidsareused,makesuretheyarestoredintheshade

topreventmeltinganddisfigurationoftheplastic.Ifapaneofglassisused,keepthetraysoutofdirectsuntoavoidexcessheat.

HeatMats

Heatmatscanprovideextrawarmthforwarm-weathercrops(suchasamaranthorbasil)orjump-startthegerminatingprocessofanyseed.Theyareoftenunnecessarybutcanbeespeciallyhelpfulforstartingseedsincolderclimates.Relativelyinexpensive,heatmatscanbefoundatlocalhorticulturalstoresoronline,ranginginsizeandprice.Heatmatsarepoweredbyelectricityandgentlywarmthesoilfrombelow.

ScissorsforHarvesting

Wefindthatscissorsarethemosteffectivetoolforharvestingmicrogreens.Buyingaseparatepairsolelyfortheuseofharvestingisnotabadidea—thatwaytheystaysharpandcleanandmakecuttingeasy.Havingacoupleofdifferentsizesofscissorscanbehelpfulforcuttingdifferentvarietiesanddensitiesofgreensaswell.Themostimportantthinghereissharpness.Onceyourscissorsbegintodull,youcaneitherbuyanewpairorsharpenyourexistingpair.

Afteryearsoftryingdifferentsharpenersforourknivesandscissors,wehaverecentlyfoundonethatishighlyeffective.Thedifficultywithmostmanualsharpenersiskeepingthebevelataconsistentanglewhileyousharpen.Ifyoudonotkeeptheangleofthebevelconsistent,itbecomesmoreandmoredifficultovertimetomaintainarazor-sharpblade.Thesharpenerwehaverecentlyfoundclampstothebackofanysizeknifeorscissorbladeandwillallowyoutosharpenitataconstantangle.Thistakesanyguessworkoutofkeepingyourbladesharp.Formoreinformationonhowtofindasharpener,takealookattheRecommendedBooksandResourcesinthebackofthisbook.

Makingacleancutthroughthestemisoneimportantcomponenttothelongevityofyourgreens.Thelesscelldamagedoneduringtheharvest,thelongertheywillhold.Oncescissorsareallowedtodull,theywillstarttotearthestemsofthegreensversusmakingacleancut.Ifstoredforlateruse,youmaynoticedeteriorationanddiscolorationatthebottomofthestemwheretheyhavebeenpoorlycut.

Scale

Ascaleisessentialonlyforthoseplanningtoselltheirgreens.Youwillfindmanyoptionsavailableonlineoratlocalrestaurantsupplystores.Theywillrangeinpricefromfortytofourhundreddollars.Whenchoosingyourscale,precisionisthemostimportantfactor.Asyouwillbedealinginouncesandfractionsofounces,youwillwanttofindascalethatwillgiveyouareadingof1/10-ounceincrements.

Fan

Anysmallstandardhousefanwithafewsettingstochoosefromwillworkwellfordryinggreensyouplantostoreorsell.Youwillwanttochooseonethateitherrestsonthegroundorhasapivotingheadsothatitcanbepointeddirectlyonyourdryinggreens.Werecommendalowtomediumsettingthatwon’toverdryyourdelicatemicrogreens.

StorageContainers

Youhaveafewoptionsforstoringyourharvestedgreens.Ifyouareplanningtosellyourgreenstoothers,youcanuseeitherfood-graderesealablebagsorplasticclamshells.Bothoftheseareavailableinbulkfromvarioussuppliers.Forgreensgrownforhomeuse,anybagorsealablecontainerwillwork.Treatyourmicrogreensasyouwouldanydelicatesaladgreen.

How-to-GrowTen-StepProcessGrowingmicrogreensisasimpleprocessthatcanbedoneintensteps.Youwilldiscoverthatittakeslittletime,energy,andexperience.Youwillquicklybecomeskilledandefficientasyouintegratethegrowingoffresh,nutritiousgreensintoyourlife.

Step1:FillingYourTraysWithSoil

Nowyouarereadytogrowmicrogreens!Thefirststepistofillyourtrayswiththegrowingmediumthatyouhavechosen,creatingtheseedbed.Wefindthatfillingthetrayswithaboutaninchtoaninchandahalfofsoilissufficient.Useyourhandtoleveloutthesoil.Makesurenottofillyourtraystotheverytoptoavoidsoilandseedspillingovertheedgeswhenyoufirstwater.Useyoursoilpresstosmoothandflattenthesoil,beingmindfulnottocompactyourseedbed.Overcompactionwillresultinpoor,slowgrowth.

Step2:SowingYourSeeds

Nowthatyouhaveasmooth,evenseedbed,youarereadytosowyourseeds.Takeasmallpinchofseedswithyourfingertipsandsprinklethemoveryourtrayusingthesamemotionasifyouwerespicingadishinthekitchen.Takeyourtimetoevenlyspreadtheseedsovertheentiretray.Ifyoufindthatyouhavesowntoomanyortoofewseedsinanyportionofthetray,simplyaddmoreseedorspreadouttheexcess.Youcaneithersticktoonevarietyforyourentiretrayorsowasmanytypesofseedasyoulike,creatingamixedtray.Thisisniceifyouaresowingonlyacoupletraysatatimebutstillwouldlikeavarietyofgreenstoeat.Theonlythingtobeawareofwhengrowingamixedtrayistousevarietiesthatareabletobeharvestedatapproximatelythesametime.

Thedensityofsowingdependsontheseedvarietyandthesizeatwhichyouwouldliketoharvest.Ifyouwantadensetrayofcotyledons,werecommendbroadcastingathicklayerofseed.

Ifyouwouldliketoexperimentwithgrowingyourgreenstotheir“trueleaf”stage,simplysowthemlessdenselyandallowthemtogrowforalongerperiodoftime.Inthebeginning,itmaytakesomeexperimentingtogetyoursowingdown.Youmayfindthatyouhavesownsomevarietiestoodenselyandareencounteringpoorgrowthandrotinyourtrays.Ontheotherextreme,ifyou

havesownthemtoosparsely,youryieldpertraywillbeverylow.Soilqualityalsoplaysaroleinsustainingthegrowthofyourgreens.Startoutwithjustafewtraysandfindyourbalance.Onceyourtrayhasbeensown,youwillwanttogiveitalightpressing.Theobjectiveistoverylightlyseatyourseedinthesoil,againbeingmindfulnottocompactit.Seatingyourseedensuresthatyourseedshavecontactwiththesoilsothattheycaneasilysetroots.

Step3:CoveringYourSeeds

Forthisstepyouhavethreeoptions.Traditionally,onewouldcoverhisorherseedswithsoil;alayeraboutthedepthofwhicheverseedisbeingsown,butmakingsuretheseediscovered.Anotheroptionistocoverwithclothorpapertowels.Yourthirdoptionistoleaveyourseedsuncoveredifyouaregerminatingtheminadarkplace.Outofthesethreemethods,webelievecoveringtrayswithtowelstobetheeasiestandmosteffective.

CoveringwithSoil

Ifyoutochoosetocoverwithsoil,smallerseeds(i.e.,brassicas,endive,amaranth,etc.)willrequireyoutocoverthemwithsiftedsoil.Whilesoilsiftersareavailable,wefindthatusingapastastrainerworksjustaswellandcanbefoundinmostkitchens.Simplyputahandfulofsoilinthestrainerandshakeit

overyourtrays.Afterdoingthisyouwillbeleftwiththelargerpiecesofyourpottingsoilthatwon’tfitthroughyourstrainer.Settheseasideandrepeatthisstepuntilyourseedsarecovered.Whencoveringyourlargerseeds(i.e.,pea,chard,beet,etc.),siftingisunnecessary.Justtakeahandfulofsoilandsprinkleanevenlayeroverthetray.Afteryouhavecoveredyourtray,youwillwanttogiveitanothergentlepressing.Applythesameamountofpressureaswhenseatingyourseed.Ifyoufindthatonceyouhavewateredyourtraysyouarestartingtoseeseedsonthesurface,justsprinklealittlemoresoiloverthetop.

CoveringwithTowels

Analternativetocoveringwithsoilistouseclothorpapertowels.Whilewedon’tusethismethodformostlargeseeds,itisextremelyeffectiveforcoveringsmallerseeds.Layingatoweloveryoursowntrayscreatesamoistureblanket.Takeyourlightweightcottonorpapertowelandlayitdirectlyonyourseeds.Onceinplace,keepmoistuntiltheseedshavegerminated.

Afterourfirstseason,westartedexperimentingwithtowels.Wefoundthatthetowelshadallthebenefitsofcoveringwithsoilandnoneofthedrawbacks.Thismethodstartedsavingustimeandmoney.Wecutoursoilcostsandsavedtimecoveringourtrays.Towelsalsoallowyoutosneakapeekintotheday-to-dayprogressofyourgerminatingseeds.Thiscanbeentertainingtochildren,astheycanlookunderthetowelandwatchtheseedsslowlyopenanddevelopintoplants.

UncoveredSeeds

Withthismethodyouarenotcoveringtheseedswithanything.Thismeansmoretimemustbespentmonitoringmoisturetoensuregermination.Yourtrayswillneedtobeundersomekindofprotection,whetheritbeagreenhouseorlids.Itwillalsobehelpfultokeepthesetraysoutofdirectsunlight,especiallyinthesummer.Thiswillhelpwithmaintainingadequatemoisture.Ifyouchoosetoleavetheseedsuncovered,paycarefulattentionwhenseatingthem.

Step4:InitialWatering

Thenextstepistowateryourtrays.Setyoursprayertoalight/mediumshowersettingsothattheentiretraygetsgentlysoaked.Preliminarywateringistheonlystageatwhichoverwateringisnotanissueaslongasyourseedsarenotdrowninginwater.However,underwateringwillresultinpoorornogermination.Agerminatingseedmustremainmoist.Iftheseedbed,andthereforetheseed,isallowedtodryout,theprocesswillhaltandyourseedswillnolongerbeviable.

Step5:CoverwithLids

Onceyourtrayshavebeenwatered,youwillneedtocoverthemwithlidsifyouarenotgrowinginagreenhouseofsomesort.Thereasonforusingtheselidsistospeedupgerminationbyholdinginheatandretainingmoisture.Keepinmindthatifusingplasticlids,youwillwanttokeepacloseeyeonyourtrayswhenindirectsunlight.Duetothe“minigreenhouseeffect”thatthelidscreate,temperaturesinsidecanbecomesubstantiallygreaterthantheairoutside.Thisisabenefitforstimulatinggerminationandgrowth,butitmustbemonitoredinordertoavoidexcessbuildupofheatinyourtrays.Ifyounoticethatthingsareabittoosteamyinside,simplymovethelidslightlytothesidetocreatesomeventilation.

Step6:WateringYourGerminatingSeeds

Asyourseedsaregerminating,itisimportanttokeepacloseeyeontheirprogressandtomaintainpropermoisture.Whenusingthetowelmethod,observethedampnessofthetowelandwaterdaily,keepingthetowelandtheseedbelowitmoist.Onebenefitofthetowelmethodisthatitgivesyouawindowintothegerminationprocess.Insteadoftheseedsbeinghiddenfromyourview,youcanliftacornerofthetowelatanytime,allowingyoutowatchthestagesofgermination.Youwantyourseedstoremaincovereduntiltheyarefullygerminated.Afterafewdays,youwillnoticethatthetowelswillhavestartedtoliftoffthesoil,givingyouahintthatyourgreensaregettingreadytoneedtoseethelight.Asillustratedinthephotographs,certaingerminatingseedsacquireawhitefuzzontheirstems.Thisisnotmoldandisanaturalpartoftheprocessasyourseedlingssetroots.

Trayscoveredwithsoilwillrequireabitmoreattention.Soilwilldryoutmorequicklythantowels,somakesurethesetraysarewateredacoupleoftimesaday.Withmicrogreens,yourtrayswillbesodenselysownthatwhentheygerminate,thecoveringlayerofsoilwillliftwiththeseeds.Ifthesoilisnotevenlyrinsedfromtheseedsearlyinthisprocess,theywillremainunderthesoil

indarkness.Theseseedlingswillquicklybecomeweedyandpale.Whenwateredatthispoint,thecoveringsoilcandrownandkillmuchofthetray.Thatsaid,wecoveredourseedswithsoilourentirefirstseasonofgrowingourgreens.Whileitisnotdifficulttodo,losingtraysbecauseyouareafewhoursoffcanbefrustrating.

Ifyouchoosenottocoveryourseeds,takecautionwhenwatering.Agentleshowerwillensurethatyourgerminatingseedsaren’tdisrupted.Rememberthatwhichevercoveringmethodyouchoose,yourseedswillneedconsistentmoisturetogerminate.

Stage1

Stage2

PullingOffTowel

Stage3

Step7:FindingAGoodSpotToGrow

Onethingthatmakesgrowingmicrogreenssoaccessibletosomanypeopleisthelackofspacetheyrequire.Peopleoftenrefertousas“porchfarmers,”asweareabletosupportourentiremicrogreenclientbaseonlessthan100squarefeet.Ifyoudon’thaveenoughroomtoplantagardeninthebackyardordon’tevenhaveabackyard,awindowsill,porch,patio,orfrontstepwillprovideplentyofspacetogrowfresh,deliciousmicrogreensforyourselfandyourfamily.

Asweallknow,plantsneedlighttothrive.Thegerminationprocess,however,doesnotrequirelight.Thisallowsyoutokeepyourgerminatingtraysanywhere,solongastheyarekeptwarmandmoist.Oncegerminated,microgreens,likemostotherplants,requirelighttogrowandflourish.Thisprocessoftakingsunlightandconvertingittoenergyisknownasphotosynthesisandisafundamentalprocessinthegrowthofyourgreens.Onceyourseedshavegerminated,youwillwanttofindasunnyspotinsideoroutsideforthemtogrow.

Choosingthelocationofyourtraysrequirespayingattentiontoyourgreens.Intheheatofthesummer,somevarietiesmaypreferfullsun,whileothersrequiredappledshade.Nomatterwhatthevariety,someamountoflightandwarmtharerequired.Youwillfindthatplantsdeprivedoflightwillbeginreachingforwhateverlightsourcetheycanfind.Theywillthenbecome“leggy”andscrawnyasopposedtobeingstrong,stouthealthy-lookingplants.Youwillalsonoticeachangeintheircolor.Whilethetraysgivenenoughlightarelookinglikeadenselawnofrichlycoloredgreens,thetraysdeprivedoflightwillbeginlookingyellowandweak,makingthemmoresusceptibletorotanddisease.Thisiseasilyavoided.Letthemseethelight!Strivetofindaplaceforyourgreensthatprovidesthemostamountofsunlight.Asunnywindowsill,yourporchledge,orevenyourfrontstepcouldallserveasgreatplacestogrowyourgreens.

Ifyoufeelyouareunabletogetadequatesunlight,growlightsarealsoanoption.Thereareavarietyofgrowlightsavailablefromyourlocalgardeningstoreoronline,ranginginsizeandprice.Keepinmindyourenergycostswhenpurchasingasystem.Livinginsunnyplaces,youmayneverusethem,buttheycouldbequitehelpfulinplaceswheresunlightisscarceduringthewintermonths.Growlightscanbesetupanywherethatisconvenient.Abasementorunusedclosetcouldeasilybetransformedintoagreens-growinghaven.

Step8:MaintainingYourGrowingGreens

Nowthatyourseedshavegerminated,theywillrequirelighttogrowandthrive.Ifyouareusingthetowelmethod,youwillnowwanttoremovethetowelandtheplasticlid.Oncethetowelisremoved,itcanbecomposted,usedinavermiculturesystem,burned,orthrownaway.Ifgrowingindoors,youcanflipyourlidoverandplaceyourtrayinside.Thiswillkeepexcesswateroffofyour

counters.Besuretoemptythiswaterdailysothatyoursoilisn’tstandinginwater.

Dependingonthevariety,thegreenswillneedtoremaininthelightforanaverageofseventofourteendays.Afast-growinggreenlikearugulawillrequireaminimumgrowingperiod,whileslow-growingbasilwillneedmoretime.Keepinmindthatweather,location,andwateringpatternsallplayaroleinthistimeline.Whileyoumaygothroughseveralgrowingcycleswiththesameresults,greatvariationdoestendtooccurifanyofthepreviouslynamedfactorsarealtered.Shouldyoudecidetobranchoutafterexperimentingwithsomebasicvarieties,youwillnoticethatmoreexoticmicrogreenssuchasmintorsorrelwilltakesubstantiallylongertobothgerminateandgrowtosize.SpecificdataonaveragegerminationandgrowthtimesforanumberofcropsislocatedintheIndividualCropschapterofthisbook.

Sinceyourseedlingsarenowoutinthelight,youmustpayattentiontotheirmoisture.Merelylookingatthesurfaceofthesoilwillnotgiveyouanaccuratereadingofitsmoisturecontent.Youwillneedtogetyourhandsdirty.Stickyourfingerinthecornerofthetraytomakesurethatallofthesoiliswet.Wateringonceadayisoftensufficient—justbecarefulnottooverwater.Overwateringatthisstagecandrowntheseedlingsandstopthegrowthprocess.Underwateringwillresultinwiltedgreens.Oncetheircellulosestructurehasbeencompromisedbyeitherover-orunderwatering,thegreensmayremaindamagedbutareoftenabletorecover.Youmightnoticethisifyouhavechosenapoorlylitplaceforyourgreensandlaterrelocatedthem.Youcouldalsoleaveyourgreensduringacloudyday,thinkingyouhavewateredthemsufficiently,onlytofindthatitissunnywhenyoureturnandyourgreenshavewilted.Often,agentlesoakingwillrevivethemafteracoupleofhours.

Thisphenomenonoccursallthetimeinnature,especiallyinhot,dryclimateswhereplantsmustpreservetheirenergy.Iffacingintensedirectsunandtherebyheat,energyissenttotherootstosustainthelifeoftheplant,allowingtheleavesandflowerstodroopandwiltduringtheheatoftheday.Onecouldcomeuponsuchaplantmiddayandthinkitwasdying,onlytofindthesameplantinitsfullgloryduringthecoolestpartoftheevening.Thatsaid,youwanttoavoidasmuchstressonyourgreensaspossible,keepingthemproperlywatered.Takenoteofthestrengthofthesunandavoidwateringmidday.Whenplantsarewateredintheheatoftheday,thedropsofwateractaslittlemagnifyingglassesandcanburntheleaves.Thisiseasilyavoidedbywateringeitherinthemorningoreveninginclimatesandtimesofyearwhenthesunisatitsstrongest.

Step9:Harvesting

WhentoHarvest

Microgreenscanbeharvestedatdifferentstagesofgrowth.Youcaneitherharvestthemjustaftertheircotyledonshaveopenedorwaitforthemtoputonasecondsetofleaves,knownastrueleaves.Ifallowedtocontinuetogrow,eventuallythegreenswillbegintoshowsignsofstresssuchasyellowing,stuntedgrowth,andlookingweakor“leggy”(tallandunhealthy),andtheywillstarttorotfromunderneath.Thisgenerallystartstohappenbecauseofhowdenselyyouaresowingtheseedsandthesmallamountofsoilyouaregrowingthemin.Ifthesameseedwereallowedtogrowlessdensely,inabiggercontainerordirectlyinthegroundwithplentyofroomforitsroots,youcouldwatchitgrowthroughmanystages.Dependingonthevariety,itwouldeventuallygrowintoafull-sizedplantfromwhichyoumightharvestitsfruitorleaf(i.e.,aheadofbroccoliorfull-grownleavesofarugula).Soilqualityalsoplaysamajorroleinthehealthandvitalityofyourgreens.Ifyouareusingalesser-qualitysoil,signsofstresswillbecomeapparentmuchearlierandmorefrequently.

HowtoHarvest

Whengettingreadytoharvestyourgreens,oneofthemostimportantfactorstobeawareofistheheatoftheday.Cuttingthegreenswhiletheyhavebeeninthesunforafewhoursorevenintheshadeduringahotsummer’sdaywillresultinwiltedgreensthatwillquicklyturntomush.Youcanalwaystrysoakingthemincoldwatertorevivethem,buttheyareusuallytoofargonetoperkbackup.Earlymorningsandeveningsaretheidealtimestoharvest.Thekeyhereistokeepyourgreenscool.Harvestingatthepropertimewillkeepthemlookingasfreshandaliveaswhentheyweregrowing.Thisisespeciallyimportantforgreensyouplantoselltoothersorstoreforyourself.

Wefindthatscissorsmakethemosteffectivetoolforharvestingmicrogreens.Thinkofcuttingyourtraylikegivingyourgreensahaircut.Holdasectionlooselywithonehandandusetheotherhandtosnipwithyourscissors.Yourgreensmayrangefromonetofourinchestall,dependingonthevarietyandageatwhichtheyarecut.Togetaniceratioofgreensandstem,cutaboutoneinchabovethesoilformostgreens.Ifthegreenshavebeenallowedtogettalloryoupreferlessstem,cuthigherup.Afteryourcut,takethegreensinonehandandlooselyflickthestemsideofthecuttoknockoffanysoilordamagedends.Thisstepwillkeepyourhomesaladcleanandwillsavetimewashingifyouareplanningonsellingyourgreens.Aftercutting,puteachhandfulinabowloronaplateanduseasmuchasyouneed.Unlessyouarecuttingabovethecotyledons,

yourtrayswillnotgrowagain.Theremainingsoilandrootscanbecomposted.Thechapteroncompostingwillgiveyoumoreinformationon“recycling”yourusedsoil.

Weharvestourgreensdifferentlyifwearecuttingtosellorifwearemakingahomesalad.Whenharvestingforourrestaurantorders,weuseasmalldigitalscaleandzeroouttheweightofaplatetogetaccurateweightsaswearecutting.Weusuallyharvestabitmorethanweneedtoaccountforlostweightafterwashing.

Whenweareharvestingforourselvesit’smuchmorecasual.Obviouslywedonotuseascaleandoftensnipabitfromseveraltrays,makingacustomsaladaswelikeit.Don’tfeellikeyouhavetoharvestawholetrayorharvestfromonlyonevarietyatatime.Youcanalsoexperimentwithgreensatdifferentstagesofgrowthandcreateauniquemixbyusingjustacoupleofvarietiesatdifferentsizes.Thiswillprovidedifferenttexturesandavariedlooktoyourmix.

Oneofthegreatestthingswefindaboutgrowingmicrogreensistheabilitytocutandeatthemwithinminutes.Thisallowsyoutohavethefreshest,tastiest,andmostnutritioussaladavailablerightfromyourownhome.IntheRecipes:FoodasArtchapter,wedescribedifferentmixeswelikeandpairthemwithrecipesforyoutoexplore,butkeepinmindthatyouronlylimitationsareyourtastebudsandimagination.

Step10:WashingandStorage

Washing

Unlessyouareplanningonsellingyourgreenstorestaurantsorindividuals,itisoftenunnecessarytowashthem.Youcantreatthemasyouwouldsaladgreensfromyourgardenorthestorebygivingthemaquickrinsebeforeservingthem.

Somegrowerschoosenottowashtheirgreensbeforetheysellthem.Inoperationswheresoil-lessmethodsareused(i.e.,hydroponics),sellingunwashedgreensismoreofanoption.However,ifgrowingwithsoil,washingthegreensisimportantsothatyoucanofferacleanproduct,freeofsoilandrottenleaves.Theprocessofwashingthegreensgivesyouacloserlookatyourproductandallowsyoutoremoveanysoil,debris,seedhulls,orrottenleavesbeforeyousellittoyourclient.Thiswillgiveyoutheconfidenceofknowingexactlywhatyouaresellingaswellasanedgeoveranycompetitionsellingunwashedgreens.

Theprocessofwashingmicrogreensissimplebutcanalsobetediousandtimeconsuming.Wefindthatpurchasingaplastictubtousesolelyforwashinggreensisconvenient.Youwillwanttofindasizethatfitsinthesinkwhereyouwillbewashingtohaveeasyaccesstorunningwater.Washyourgreensincoldwatertomaintainfreshness.Properlightingisimportantsothatyoucangetagoodlookatyourharvestandremoveanydufforrottenleaveseasily.Wefindthatawell-litroomandtheuseofaheadlampmakesthisprocessmucheasier.Techniquevariesinthecleaningofgreens.Mostoftheseedhulls,seeds,duff,anddamagedleavesfloattothetop,wheretheycanbeeasilyskimmedoffusingyourhand.Soilandotherheavyparticlesoftensinktothebottom.Thisprocesstakesaneyefordetailandagreatdealofpatience.Inordertoreallyshowcaseyourgreens,wefinditimportanttobeimpeccablewithyourprocessing.Whilethismayseemdauntingatfirst,withpractice,youwillbecomebothskilledandefficient.Youmayfindthatyouinventnewmethodsthathelpyoutostreamlineprocessing.Differentcropsoftencallfordifferentmethods.Whilesomegreensareeffortlesstowash,othersprovemoredifficultandrequiremoretimeandattention.Wehavefoundthatgreensthatareespeciallydirtyorfullofdamagedleavesrequireatwo-stagewashingmethod.Aftertheinitialwashing,wetakeoutahandfulatatime,examineitonaplate,pulloutanythingwehavemissedandcontinueuntilfinished.Often,thesegreenswillrequireasecondrinse.Ifyouchoosetousethe“towelmethod”forcoveringyourgerminatingseeds,theywillrequirefarlesswashingthanifcoveredwithsoil.Coveringwithtowelseliminateshalfofthesoilandseedhullnormallyfoundinyourrinsewater,

therebycuttingyourworkinhalf.Whenweswitchedfromcoveringwithsoiltocoveringwithtowels,wewentfromthreetofourrinsespercropdowntooneortwo.

Drying

Afteryourgreenshavebeenwashed,yournextstepisdrying.Usingasmallfanisveryeffective.Youwillwanttouseyourfanonalowtomediumsettingandbesuretokeepaneyeonthegreens.Youwillneedtoturnandfluffthemeveryfewminutes,beingcarefulnottooverdrythem.Yourbeautiful,delicatemicrogreenscanturnquitetheoppositeifallowedtobecomeover-orunderdriedandstoredintherefrigerator.

Storing

Ifyouarestoringyourgreensforyourself,werecommendusingaresealablebag,filledwithabitofair,andputtingitdirectlyintherefrigerator.Anotheroptionisusingareusablecontainer.Althoughquiteperishable,microgreenswilllastatleastthreetofourdaysandoftenuptoaweekormore,dependingontheirquality,variety,andtheamountofmoistureinthecontainer.

Ifyourgreensarebeingsold,youwillwanttoinvestinasmallaccuratescaleandeitherfood-graderesealableplasticbagsorplasticclamshells(resourcesavailableinthebackofthebook).Wefindsellingfour-ouncepackagestobeconvenientforboththechefandthegrower.Creatingalabelofsomekindisusefultodistinguishthedatethegreenswereharvestedaswellastheirvariety.

ScaleofProduction

HomeGrower

Whendecidinghowmanytraystogrow,yourfirstconsiderationwillbehowmanypeopleyouwouldliketofeed.Everyhomehaspeoplewhoeatavaryingamountofgreens;therefore,thenumberoftraysyouneedwillalsovary.Forafamilyoffour,wewouldstartwithtwotothreetrays,twiceaweek.Becausethegrowingcycleissoshort,itiseasytostartsmallandadjustaccordingly.Eachtraycanbesownwithafewdifferentvarietiestohaveanenjoyableassortmentofcolors,flavors,andtextures.Youwillgenerallyhaveabatchoftraysthatyouareharvestingfrom,abatchthatisgerminating,andabatchyouaresowing.Thiswillallowfortheconstantflowoffreshgreensforthehome.Ifyou’regrowingforjustyourself,orspaceisaconsideration,sowingevenonetrayaweekwouldbegreat.Havingasmallinfluxoffreshhomegrowngreensforthefamilyispriceless.

CommercialGrower

Ifyouwanttosellyourgreenstorestaurantsorindividuals,startsmall.Thiswillallowyoutimetoworkoutanykinks,choosevarietiesthatworkforyou,andgetasenseoftheaverageweightpertray.Aswiththehomegrower,sowingtwiceaweekwillallowforaconstantflowofgreensforyouraccounts.Whenwestartedoursmalloperation,wetookononeortwoaccountsatatime.Thisenabledustogetcomfortablewithsupplyingthenewdemand.Astheseasonprogresses,youwillnoticethatyourchefswillhavetheirfavoritesandwillalsowantnewvarietiestotry.Onceagain,theshortgrowingcycleandfrequentsowingswilleasilyaccommodateanyfluctuationinyourorders.

IndividualCropsThischapterwillhighlightarangeofvegetablesthatcanbegrownasmicrogreens.Therearemanymorevarietiesthatcanbeexperimentedwith,butthesewillprovideyouwithaplatformtobranchoutfrom.Keepinmindthattheaveragesprovidedfordaystogerminationandharvestarebasedongrowingtemperaturesrangingfrom65to75degreesF.Usetheseaveragesasaguideandadjustaccordingtoyourclimate.Theweightrangesthatweobtainarebasedonusingstandard20x10-inchblackplastictrays.Rememberthiswhenyouarecomparingweightsofahomemadeoralternativevessel.

Don’tbelimitedbythecropslistedinthischapter.Manyvegetablesandherbsmakegreatmicrogreens.Oneruleofthumbwhenchoosingvegetablevarietiesistoavoidfruitingvegetablessuchassquash,tomatoes,etc.,andleantowardsleafycropssuchaskaleorcollards.Youwillfindthatsomevegetablesaremoresuitedthanothers.Experiment!Herbsmakeveryinterestingmicrogreens.Youcantryeverythingfromcherviltochives.Whileherbstendtotakealongtimetogerminateandgrowtosize,theyaddexcitingflaretothehomegrower’skitchen.Johnny’sSelectedSeedsinMaine(www.johnnyseeds.com)offersanextensivelistofmicrogreenoptionsthatcanbehelpfulinspurringyourimagination.

Whilethereareafewdifferentmethodsusedtogrowmicrogreens(i.e.aeroponics,hydroponics),ourexperienceiswithusinghigh-qualityorganicpottingsoilandourdatareflectstheuseofthatmedium.Ifyouareinterestedinusingeitheroftheothermethods,yourweightsandappearancesmayvary.Wearesoilloversandhavenotspentanytimeorenergylearningabouthydroponicsoraeroponics,butthereareplentyofpeoplewhohavegottengoodresultsandthereisampleinformationonthesetechniquesonline.

Amaranth

Family AmaranthaceaeGenusandspecies AmaranthuscruentusVarietieswerecommend RedGarnetTaste Slightlyearthy

Averagedaystogerminate 2to3daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 8to12daysAverageweightpertray 2to3ouncesDifficulty Mediumtodifficult

GrowingTips

Amaranthrequiresconsistency.Fluctuationintemperatureresultsinsloworlowgerminationaswellaspoorgrowthaftergermination.

Traditionallygrownasagrainindryclimates,amaranthdoesn’tlikeconstantsoilsaturation.

Youcanharvestitatthecotyledonstageorallowittomatureandgrowtrueleavesforadifferenttexture.

Amaranthisasummercropandpreferstheheat,avoidgrowingitinthewintermonths.

Thetowelmethodworkswellwiththissmallseed.

KeepyourwaterunderapHof7.

HarvestingTips

Harvestclosetothesoil.

Amaranthisverylightweightandisgenerallyusedsolelyasasplashofcolorratherthancontributingtotheweightofamix.

WashingTips

Whenharvestedyoung,amaranthcanbetrickytowash.Itissolightandsmallthattheleavesmayfloatthroughyourfingers.Werecommendusingasmallhand-heldstrainertoprocessthiscrop.Ifyouallowittomature,astrainerwillbeunnecessary.

Itcanbetedioustoseparatethetinybeigeseedhullsfromthemagentagreens.Useyourhandtoremoveanyseedhullsfromthesidesofyourwashingreceptacle.

PossibleChallenges

Overwateringandinconsistenttemperaturescanleadtopoorgerminationandgrowth,aswellasrot.

Takeextracarewiththiscrop.

Amaranthhatesanalkalinesoil,andapHover7willresultinrotting.

OurThoughts

Rangingfrombrightmagentaatitscotyledonstagetoadeeperpurplewhenformingitstrueleaves,amaranthisthekeytoourmostpopularmix.Itisstunningatanystageandcreatesrich,brilliantcontrast.Amaranthmaintainsitsvibrantcolorinbothitsstemandcotyledon,makingitauniqueassettoyourrepertoire.

BriefHistory

NativetotheAmericas,amaranthwasastapletosomeofthegreatcivilizationsofCentralandSouthAmerica.Amaranthwasthoughtofasa“supergrain”andwasrotatedinthefieldswithmaizeandbeans.Sinceitsearlycultivation,amaranthhasseengreatdeclineinitsproduction.Althoughthereasonforthediminishmentofthisnutritiousgrainislargelyuptospeculation,theoriesincludeinconvenientsmall-seedsizeormodernizationinagriculture.AztecloreattributesitsdeclinetoanattemptbytheSpanishconquistadorstoeradicateamaranthbecauseofitskeyroleintraditionalAztecsacrifices.Itisthoughtthatithasprevailedthusfarpartlyduetoitsbeauty.Theentireplantfeaturesanunmistakablevibrantmagentacolornotfoundinmanycropstoday.WhilestillunknownbymuchoftheU.S.population,amaranthhasbegungrowinginpopularitysincethe1980sforitshighproteincontentandoverallhealthbenefits.

Arugula

Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies ErucasativaVarietieswerecommend StandardArugula,AstroTaste Sharp,peppery,spicy

Averagedaystogerminate 2to3daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 5to7daysAverageweightpertray 4to6ouncesDifficulty Easy

GrowingTips

Easyandfasttogrow.

Cangerminateintemperaturesaslowas40degreesF.

Towelmethodhelpswithseedsstickingtoleaves.

TrueleavescanbedifficulttoobtainifpHisover7.

HarvestingTips

Generallyquickandeasytoharvest.

Lackofairflowmakesthiscropsusceptibletorot.Ifrottingoccurs,bemindfultoavoidthesepatcheswhenharvesting.

WashingTips

Canbetedioustowash,especiallyifcoveredwithsoil.

Arugulahasamucilaginousseed,whichmakesitclingtothebottomofitscotyledons.

Werecommendusingthetwo-stagewashingmethod.

Usingthetowelmethodalsohelpspullawayseedhulls.

PossibleChallenges

Arugula’sthinstemmakesitmoreapttofallandmatwhenbeingwatered.Waterlightlyandiftheyfall,gentlybrushthembackup.

Mucilaginousseedcanmakewashingtimeconsuming.

OurThoughts

Oneofthemorecommonmicrogreens,arugula’sspicyflavorandprettyheart-shapedleafmakeitgreatonitsownorasthebaseofamix.Arugula’sstrongfamiliartastealsomakesitagreatadditiontolargersaladmixes.Itsquickgerminationandgrowthmakeitaccessibleforjustaboutanyonetogrow.

BriefHistory

Likemanyotherspicy,pungentvegetables,arugulawasthoughttohaveaphrodisiacqualities.Recordsdateearlyusebacktothefirstcentury.Inadditiontoitspepperyleaves,arugulaseedswerealsoaresourceforaddingtheirdistinctflavortooils.Commonlyreferredtoas“rocket”or“roquette”inEngland,ithasbeenreveredforitsstrongflavorandmedicinalqualities.Withhealthclaimsrangingfromcuringfrecklestoactingasanaturaldeodorant,arugulacertainlyhasmoreallurethanjustasimplesaladgreen.IntheUnitedStates,ithasbecomeincreasinglyfamiliartooureyesandtastebudsasithasgainedpopularityinmoderncookingsincetheearly1990s.

Basil

Family LamiaceaeGenusandspecies OcimumbasilicumVarietieswerecommend DarkOpal,Genovese,SweetItalianTaste Potent,aromaticbasilflavor

Averagedaystogerminate 4to5daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 14to21days

Averageweightpertray 2to4ouncesDifficulty Mediumtodifficult

GrowingTips

Requiressteadywarmtemperatures.

Usingaheatmathelpswithgerminationwhennighttimetemperaturesdrop.

HarvestingTips

Basilisalowgrower.Besuretocutclosetothesoiltokeepthefullplantintact.

Takeyourtimeduringharvesttoavoidcapturingexcesssoilwithyourscissors.

WashingTips

Avoidwashingunlessverydirty.

Basilisaverysensitiveherb.Ifwashedandstoredincoldtemperatures,itwillblacken.Ifyouareusingitimmediately,aquickrinsewon’taffecttheleaves.

Toremoveanydirtcollectedintheharvestingprocess,layyourharvestonacottoncloth.Transferthegreensfromtheclothtoanothercloth.Extradirttendstosticktotheclothinsteadofyourbasil.Youcanrepeatthisprocessseveraltimes,butbesuretohandlethedelicatebasilwithcaretoavoidbruisingtheleaves.

PossibleChallenges

Basilisaverydelicatemicrogreenandbruiseseasily,soitrequiresextracare.

Beingasummercrop,itlikeswarmweatherandwillnottolerategreatfluctuationintemperature.

Whenstoring,besuretokeepplentyofairinthebagstokeepthebasilfrombruisingandblackening.

OurThoughts

Microbasilisgorgeous.Greenvarietiesoffersignaturebasilflavorinminiatureform.Itisabeautifulaccenttomanydishesandcanevenbeincorporatedintodesserts.Purplebasilcanbeusedonitsownormixedwithgreentowowyoureyesandyourtastebuds.Onceyouhaveovercomesomeofthechallengesofgrowingmicrobasil,youwillfindthatitmakesordinarydishesextraordinaryandneverdisappointsinflavor.

BriefHistory

Basilinsomeform,freshordried,canbefoundinmostkitchenstoday.ItisafairlyversatileherbthathasfounditswayintorecipesfromItaliantoThaicooking.Arelativeofmint,itisthoughttohaveoriginatedinAfricaandAsiaoverfivethousandyearsago,eventuallymakingitswaytotheUnitedStatesbytheearlyseventeenthcentury.Basil’sstrongflavorhasmadeitthecenterofmanydifferentfablesandfolklore.Forsomereasonthereseemstobeastrangeconnectionbetweenbasilandscorpions.Medicinally,itwasthoughtthatbasilcouldtreatascorpionsting.Itwasalsocommonthoughtthatifyouleftabasilleafunderapot,itmightturnintoascorpionitselforthatsimplyeatingbasilmightcausescorpionstogrowinyourbrain!InItaly,itisthoughtofasasymboloflove,whileinMexico,itissaidthatbasilwillensurealover’seyedoesn’twander.Boththeleafandtheseedhavebeenusedmedicinally.Ithasbeenthoughttobeacureformanyailments,fromintestinalissuestowarts.Eventoday,researchhasbeendoneonbasil’santi-inflammatoryandantibacterialeffects.Italsocontainsspecialcomponentscalledflavonoidsthatofferprotectionatacellularlevel.Basilhasproventobeanassettobothyourkitchencupboardandmedicinecabinet.

Beet

Family ChenopodiaceaeGenusandspecies BetavulgarisVarietieswerecommend RubyQueen,DetroitRed,RedAceTaste Earthy

Averagedaystogerminate 4to6daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 8to12daysAverageweightpertray 5to7ouncesDifficulty Mediumtodifficult

GrowingTips

Soakingbeetseedsfor24hourshelpswithgerminationrateandspeed.

Addingateaspoonofliquidkelptothewaterisbeneficial.

Bestresultsoftenoccurifthefirstpressingofthesoilisskipped.Afterbroadcastingtheseeds,pressthemlightlyintotheloosesoil,andthencoverwithatowelorsoil.

Makesurethatthislargeseediscompletelycoveredsoitstaysmoist.

Toobtaingreatgermination,keepyourbeetatasteadytemperature.

Aftergermination,avoidkeepingsoiltoomoist.

KeepyourpHunder7.

HarvestingTips

Ifmostoftheseedlingsstillhaveseedhullsattachedtotheirleaves,waitafewmoredaystoharvest.

Thelargeknobbyseedsthatremaincanbegentlypulledoffbeforeharvesting.

Featurethebrightstemofthebeetbycuttingclosetothesoil.

WashingTips

Beet’slargeseedsareeasytoseeinthewashwater.Whenharvestedyoung,youwillfindmanyseedhullsstucktotheleaves.Removingthemcanbetimeconsumingbutcanbegreatlyreducedbybeingdiligentwhileharvesting.

Werecommendthetwo-stagewashingmethodtobesuretoremoveallhulls.

PossibleChallenges

Beetrequiresextraattention;monitoryourpHtoavoidrot.

Overwateringwillresultinrotting.

OurThoughts

Redbeet’svibrantstemisunmistakable.Itisstunningasasinglecroporbeautifulasabrightaccentinanymix.Bull’sBloodisthemostwidelyknownvarietygrownformicrogreensandalsooneofthemostexpensive.WhileBull’sBloodyieldsarichlycoloredstemandanicegreen,wehavefoundthatRubyQueenisareasonablypricedalternativethatofferssimilarqualities.

BriefHistory

ThebeetoriginatedintheMediterraneanregion,whereitwasusedmedicinallybeginningbeforethewrittenword.BeetswereoftenusedinRomantimesforfeverandconstipation.Calledthe“bloodturnip”inthenineteenthcentury,beetswerealsowildcraftedfortheirleaves.Anyonewhohaseatenthemodern-daybeetmightnoticeitsdistinctlyearthytaste;thisisduetospecialmicrobiallifeinthesoilthatcreatesanorganiccompoundcalledgeosmin.

Broccoli

Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies Brassicaoleracea

Varietieswerecommend StandardBroccoli,DiCicco,Waltham

Taste CabbagelikeAveragedaystogerminate 3to4daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 5to7days

Averageweightpertray 5to7ouncesDifficulty Easy

GrowingTips

Oneoftheeasiermicrogreenstogrow.

Sowthicklyforheavyyields.

Itcangetwoodyifallowedtogrowtotrueleafstage.

HarvestingTips

Easyandquicktoharvest.

Cuthighonthestemtokeepabalancedratioofleaftostem.

WashingTips

Easyandquicktowash.

Oftenrequiresonlyonerinse.

Seedhullswillgravitatetotheedgesofthewashingtubforeasyremoval.

PossibleChallenges

Nonethatwehavefound.

OurThoughts

Broccoli’srichdarkgreensareaniceadditiontoanymixorarebeautifulontheirown.Broccolimicrogreens,alongwithothercruciferousvegetables,offermanycancerfightingproperties.TheycontainDIM(diindolylmethane)whichhasbeenshowntoprovidehormonalbalance,animportantfactorinhuman

health.AddingthesemicrogreenstoyourdietisaneasywaytoobtaindigestibleDIM.

BriefHistory

Broccolioriginatedfromwildcabbage,whichisnativetopartsofEurope.ItisnotcertainwhetherornotRomanscultivatedit,butitisclearthatitwasbeingenjoyedinItalywellbeforetherestoftheworld.BroccoliisderivedfromtheItalianwordfor“arm”(braccio).Formuchofitsearlyhistory,broccoliwasoftenconfusedwithitsparentplantcauliflower.Becauseofthislackofclarity,itshistoryisnotverywelldocumented.Calledsproutedorasparagusbroccoli,earlycultivarsresembledmoreofabroccolirabethanthetighttreelikestalkswerecognizetoday.ItdidnotmakeittoNorthAmericauntiltheearlynineteenthcenturywhenitwasbroughtbyItalianimmigrants,andittookanothercenturyforittobecomewidelyknownandaccepted.

PurpleCabbage

Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies BrassicaoleraceaVarietieswerecommend RedAcre,RedMammoth,O.P.RedTaste Distinctivemildcabbageflavor

Averagedaystogerminate 3to5daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 4to7days

Averageweightpertray 4to6ouncesDifficulty Easy

GrowingTips

Somevarietieshaveamorevividpurplecolorthanothers.

Coldorheatstresscancreatedeeperpurpleshades.

Becomeslesspurplewithage.

Whenharvestedyoung,cabbagehasasweeterflavorandamoretendertexture.

HarvestingTips

Veryeasytoharvest.

Ifthereisanyrotorsoilinyourharvest,thedarkerpurplecolorcanmakeitmoredifficulttospot.

WashingTips

Becauseofcabbage’sdarkpurplecolor,seedhullscanbedifficulttospot.

Again,spottingblackenedleavesfromrotcanbechallengingduetotheleaf’sdarkcolor.Thetwo-stagewashingmethodcanbehelpfultosavetimeandyoureyes.

Whenwashingahealthyrot-freetrayofcabbage,itisquickandeasy,oftenrequiringonlyoneortworinses.

PossibleChallenges

Cabbage’sdarkcolorcanhideleafflaws.Whilethisisnotaconsiderationforthehomegrower,itcanslowdownwashingfortheseller.

OurThoughts

Cabbage’srichpurplecotyledonsandlightpurplestemmakeituniqueandbeautiful.Ithasamildcabbageflavor,makingitperfectasabaseforamix.Pairedwithbrightyellowsandthemagentaofamaranth,cabbagemakesforabeautifulcanvasforlightcolorstopop.Cabbagemicrogreens,alongwithothercruciferousvegetables,offermanycancerfightingproperties.TheycontainDIM(diindolylmethane)whichhasbeenshowntoprovidehormonalbalance,animportantfactorinhumanhealth.AddingthesemicrogreenstoyourdietisaneasywaytoobtaindigestibleDIM.

BriefHistory

Cabbage’sancestrylinksittoitswildformthatresembledamodern-daykalebecauseofthelackofitssignaturetighthead.Wildcabbageisprehistoric.Believedtohavebeencultivatedforthousandsofyears,ithasservedasbothfoodandmedicine.CabbagewasusedonshipsasapreventativeagainstscurvybecauseofitshighlevelsofvitaminC.HailedasacureforahangoverinRomantimesandusedasananti-fungalandanti-inflammatory,itsmedicinalscopeisbroadreaching.Alongwithitshealthclaims,cabbagehasbeenaninexpensivestapleenjoyedbymanyearlyEuropeans.Varietiesrangeinsize,color,andappearance.Purpleorredtypescanbeusedfordying,creatingafairlycolorfastsolutionfordarkpurpleusingnaturalsources.

Celery

Family ApiaceaeGenusandspecies ApiumgraveolensVarietieswerecommend Utah,StandardCuttingCeleryTaste Surprisinglystrongceleryflavor

Averagedaystogerminate 5to7daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 14to17daysAverageweightpertray 2to4ouncesDifficulty Easytomedium

GrowingTips

Celeryisaslowgrower.Itcanbeslowtogerminateandslowtomature.

Becauseofitstinycotyledons,itisacropyouwilldefinitelywanttogrowtoitstrueleafstage.

Adelicatecrop,celerycanbeeasilystunted.Whenoptimalconditionsarecompromised,itcanbegintoyellowandstopgrowing.

Keepceleryinconsistenttemperatures.

Becauseofitssmallseedsize,thetowelmethodworkswell.

KeepyourpHunder7.

HarvestingTips

Harvestclosetothesoil.

Celerymicrosarecompactandverylightweight.

Cutbelowthecotyledonstomakesureyouareharvestingtheentireseedlingwithitstrueleaf.

WashingTips

Putonyourspectaclesforthisone—celerymicrosarequitedaintyandoftenholdontotheirseedhulls.

Itcanbechallengingtogetallofthelittleredceleryseedhullsoutofyourwashwater.Thiscroptakespatienceandakeeneye.

Thetwo-stagewashingmethodwithacoupleofextrarinsesisrecommended.

PossibleChallenges

StuntedgrowthandyellowingmayoccurifpHisover7.

OurThoughts

Celeryisworthgrowingforflavoralone.Althoughitdoesn’tweighmuchforthecommercialgrower,itisaninterestingandzestycropthatisoftenahitwithchefsorhomecooks.Celerytakespatienceinallstages,butintheend,itdoesn’tdisappoint.

BriefHistory

CeleryisanancientvegetablethoughttohaveoriginatedintheMediterraneanarea.NativevarietieshavebeenfoundfromAsiaMinortothesoutherntipofSouthAmerica,makingithardtobesure.IthasbeenfoundinEgyptiantombs,wornbyGreekathletes,andusedmedicinallybymanycultures.CeleryseedwasusedinAyurvedicmedicineforeverythingfromcoldstoarthritis.Throughcultivation,wildcelery’sunappealingbittertastewastamedandslowlystartedbeingappreciatedasaculinaryasset.Bytheearlyeighteenthcentury,celeryhadfounditswayintothesoupsandbrothsofEngland,Italy,andFrance.

Chard

Family ChenopodiaceaeGenusandspecies BetavulgarisVarietieswerecommend RainbowMix,RubyRedTaste Similartobeetgreensbutsweeter

Averagedaystogerminate 4to6daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 8to12daysAverageweightpertray 4to6ouncesDifficulty Medium

GrowingTips

Soakingchardseedsfor24hourshelpswithgerminationrateandspeed.

Addingateaspoonofliquidkelptothewaterisbeneficial.

Bestresultsoftenoccurifthefirstpressingofthesoilisskipped.Afterbroadcastingtheseeds,pressthemlightlyintotheloosesoil,andthencoverwithatowelorsoil.

Makesurethatthislargeseediscompletelycoveredsoitstaysmoist.

Toobtaingreatgermination,keepyourchardatasteadytemperature.

Aftergermination,avoidkeepingsoiltoomoist.

KeepyourpHunder7.

HarvestingTips

Ifmostoftheseedlingsstillhaveseedhullsattachedtotheirleaves,waitafewmoredaystoharvest.

Thelargeknobbyseedsthatremaincanbegentlypulledoffbeforeharvesting.

Featurethebrightstemofthebeetbycuttingclosetothesoil.

WashingTips

Chard’slargeseedsareeasytoseeinthewashwater.Whenharvestedyoung,youwillfindmanyseedhullsstucktotheleaves.Removingthemcanbetimeconsuming,butthiscanbegreatlyreducedbybeingdiligentwhileharvesting.

Werecommendthetwo-stagewashingmethodtobesuretoremoveallhulls.

PossibleChallenges

Chardrequiresextraattention;monitoryourpHtoavoidrot.

Overwateringwillresultinrotting.

OurThoughts

Chard,withitsunobtrusiveflavor,addsacolorfulflairtoanydish.Thevarietyofcolorsintherainbowmixmakesitpopularwithchefs.Rainbowmixisniceonitsownorasanadditiontoanymix.Anyoftheindividualcolorsintherainbowmixareavailablefrommostseedsources.Thismakesitpossibletocustomizeyourchardmix,isolatingthecolorsthatyouprefer.

BriefHistory

Chardandbeetsharethesamegenusandspecies.Thisisbecausetheyoriginatefromthesameplant,wildseabeet.Ashasbeendoneforcenturies,farmershaveaccentuateddifferentpartsofaplantthroughselectivepropagation.Insteadofaccentuatingitsroot,chardhasbeenallowedtogrowbroadleavesthatcanbeusedforcookingoreatenraw.Recordsdateearlycultivationbackto350BC.GreeksarethoughttohavecultivatedtheBetavulgarisspeciesforitsleafby400BC.TradedallovertheMediterranean,itwasenjoyedinamassofcolorsandvarieties.Specificsonitsmedicinalusearenotverywelldocumented,butitisthoughttohavebeenusedchieflyforitsmedicinalpropertiesinancienttimes.

Cilantro(Coriander)

Family ApiaceaeGenusandspecies CoriandrumsativumVarietieswerecommend StandardCilantro,SantoTaste Verypotentflavorandaroma

Averagedaystogerminate 5to7daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 10to14daysAverageweightpertray 3to5ouncesDifficulty Mediumtodifficult

GrowingTips

Cilantroseedsoldwithsplitseedhullshasasubstantiallyhighergerminationrate.

Ifsplitseedsareused,thetowelmethodiseffective.Seedsthatarenotsplitshouldbecoveredwithsoil.

HarvestingTips

Beforeharvesting,takethetimetopulloffexcessseedhullsfromthegreens.Thiswillsaveyoutimewhenwashing.

Makesureandallowtogrowtothetrueleafstage.

WashingTips

Generallyeasytowash,requiringonlyoneortworinses.

Watchoutforlargeseedhullsthattendtoremainattachedtothetipsofthegreens.

Becarefulnottooverdry.

PossibleChallenges

Ifusingwholeseeds,itcanbedifficulttoobtaindensegerminationandgoodyields.

OurThoughts

Microcilantroisabeautiful,uniquemicrogreenpopularwithchefs.Itboastssuchstrongaromathatitcanoverwhelmotherflavors.Werecommendusingitaloneversusaddingittoamix.Althoughsometimesdifficulttogrowand

achievegoodyields,itmakesanicespecialtymicrogreentooffer.Findingasourceofsplitcilantroseedscanhelpyouachievesuccesswiththiscrop.

BriefHistory

Cilantro,alsoknownascoriander,isoneoftheworld’soldestspices.Spanningfrom5000BCtomoderntimes,ithasbeenusedmedicinallyandculinarilyaroundtheworld.ItisthoughttobenativetoSouthernEuropebuthasbeenknowninAsiaforthousandsofyears.China,India,Egypt,Greece,andRomealluseditinancienttimesforbothitsseedandleaf.Thisstrongherbhasbeenusedtoeaselaborpainsaswellastoreduceflatulence.Manyculturesbelieveittobeanaphrodisiacand,iftakeninlargedoses,itcanevenactasanarcotic.Itisalsoveryeffectiveinthechelationofheavymetalsoutofthebody.SomerecordsreportcilantromakingitswaytotheNorthAmericancoloniesbythelateseventeenthcentury.

(Garden)Cress

Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies LepidiumsativumVarietieswerecommend Presto,Cressida(Curly)Taste Tangy,veryspicy

Averagedaystogerminate 2to3daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 8to10daysAverageweightpertray 3to5ouncesDifficulty Medium

GrowingTips

Cresshasamucilaginousseed.Thismakesthetowelmethodespeciallyusefulforpullingoffseedhullsandavoidingexcesssoilwhenwashing.

Fairlylightweight;sowthicklyforbiggeryields.

Ifthetowelisremovedearlyinthegerminationprocess,youwillpulloutmuchofthestill-germinatingseed.Waitanotherdaytoremovethetoweluntilrootshaveset.

HarvestingTips

Thestemsandcotyledonsofcressbreakeasily,sobegentlewhenharvesting.

Beawareofsoilclumpingonthebaseofthestem.Whenharvesting,simplycuthighenoughtoavoidit.

WashingTips

Canbequicktowashiftowelmethodisused,usuallyrequiringonetotworinses.

Ifsoilisusedtocoverthecressseed,youwillfinddirtandseedhullsstucktothegreens.Thismakeswashingverytimeconsumingandrequiresseveralrinsesevenwhenusingthetwo-stagewashingmethod.

PossibleChallenges

Slowandtedioustowashifsoilisusedtocover.

Willstarttoyellowandrotifitcontinuestogrowpastitspeak.

Iseasilyoverdried.Bemindfultofluffoftenifusingafantodry.Fluffbygentlyturningthegreenssothatwhatwasonthebottomgetsputontopandwhatwasonthetopgetsputonthebottom.

Duetoitsdelicatenature,cresshasashortshelflife.Useanairtightbagorcontainerwhenstoringtoavoidrapiddegradation.

OurThoughts

Thislittlegreenpacksalotofspiceforitssize.Itisdeliciousinsaladdressingsandaddsflairtowrapsandsandwiches.Althoughitcanbechallengingtokeepitlookingfreshandvibrantwhenstoring,itmakesaniceadditiontothehomegrower’spallet.Avoidaddingittoamixasitmaydegradefasterthanyourotheringredients.

BriefHistory

Gardencress,alsoreferredtoaspeppercress,isrelatedtobothcommonwatercressandmustard.Asevidentfromitsname,ithasastrongpepperyflavor,makingitpopularasafreshadditiontosandwichesandsalads.Thelineageofgardencresshasbeenidentifiedbythevarietyoflanguagesinwhichitisdescribed.Recordsdateitsearlyusebackto400BCbythePersians.Alongwithhelpingwithdigestiveandparasiticissues,peppercresshasahostofothermedicinalproperties.Itisknowntobothrepelinsectsandhelpwithinsectbites.Itsstimulatingqualitieshavemadeitknownforbeinganappetitestimulantandaphrodisiac.Otherhealthclaimsrangefromstoppinghairlosstoprotectingagainstleprosy.Cressenjoyedaroyalstatureinthemiddleages,preparedwithbreadandeateninsalads.GardencresswasbroughttotheAmericasbythelatesixteenthcentury.

Endive

Family AsteraceaeGenusandspecies CichoriumendiviaVarietieswerecommend BiancaRiccia,RuffeaTaste Pleasantlybitter

Averagedaystogerminate 3to5daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 8to12daysAverageweightpertray 3to5ouncesDifficulty Medium

GrowingTips

Cangerminateandgrowincoldconditions.

Oversowingcanleadtostuntedgrowth.

CanbepHsensitive,sotrytokeepitunder7.

HarvestingTips

Endivedoesn’tproducealongstemlikemostotherseedlingsbutinsteadstaysshortandwide,soyouwillwanttoharvestclosetothesoil.

Duetohowcloselyendivegrowstothesoil,it’seasytocatchalotofdirtwithyourgreensduringharvest.Toavoidthis,useasmallerpairofscissorsandtakeyourtimeharvesting.

WashingTips

Generally,thisisacropyouwillwanttotakeyourtimewith.Itoftentakesatleasttwowashestogetclean.

Ifusinginamix,washseparately.

PossibleChallenges

Intheheatofthesummer,endiveleavescanburnifleftinthemiddaysun.Toavoidburning,donotwatermiddayandkeepyourgreensoutofdirectsunlightwhenthesunisatitsstrongest.

Birdslovethisseed.Ifourendivetraysarenotcoveredwithlids,eveninthegreenhouse,ourlocalsongbirdswillpeelbackthepapertowelsanddevourallthegerminatingseed.(Theyseemtobeconnoisseursoftheendiveseedinparticularanddon’tbotherwithourotherseedvarieties.)

Endive’sgrowthcanbeaffectedbyyourwater’spH,soithelpstokeepitunder7.

OurThoughts

Endivecanprovideinterestingvariationinanymicromix.Itsuniqueleafshapeandboldbitterflavorcreatevaryingtextureandcontrast.Itscotyledonsandtrueleaveslooksimilartolettuce,butendiveismuchhardierasamicrogreen.

BriefHistory

Endive,escarole,andchicoryareallnamesforthisbitter,nutritioussaladgreen.Likemanyvegetables,itwasoriginallyfoundgrowingwildandwasusedmedicinally.TheEgyptians,Greeks,andRomansallrecognizedendiveforitsstimulatingeffectontheliver.Ithasalsobeensaidtobeaneffectivesedativeandappetitestimulant.Itsuniqueflavorwasacatalystforitsearlycultivation,whichbeganinthemid-sixteenthcenturyinEngland.WhileitisunclearwhenendivebeganbeingcultivatedintheUnitedStates,therearerecordsofsomeformofendivegrowinginUnitedStatesgardensbytheearlynineteenthcentury.Todaythereareseveralvarietiesbeingcultivated.Manygrowerschoosetoblanchthisplantforafewweeksbeforeharvesting.Thiscreatesa“whitening”ofitsheartthatlendsamoretendertextureandlessbittertaste.Othertypesofendive,suchasBiancaRiccia,areoftengrownasa“cut-and-come-again”saladingredientandhaveabrightyellowcurlyleafwithamildlybitterflavor.

Mustard

Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies BrassicajunceaVarietieswerecommend RedGiant,RubyStreaks,GarnetRedTaste Mildlyspicy

Averagedaystogerminate

3to4days

Averagedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 6to10days

Averageweightpertray RedGiantandGarnetRed,4to6ounces,RubyStreaksandCrimsonTide,4to8ounces

Difficulty Easy

GrowingTips

Easytoobtaintrueleaves.

Coldweatherhardy.

HarvestingTips

Toshowcasethecolorofthecotyledons,youwillwanttocuthighontheirwhitestems.

Fastandeasytoharvest.

WashingTips

Mustard’smanysmallseedhullstendtocollectontheedgesofyourtub.

Onewashisusuallysufficient.

PossibleChallenges

Mustard’scotelydonscanyellowifallowedtogrowfortoolong.

OurThoughts

Thegreensofthemustardfamilyarecolorful,hearty,andeasytogrow.MustardisagreatadditiontoanyAsianmix.Itsdependabilityingerminationandyieldmakeitanassettoanygrowingrepertoire.Therearemanyvarietiesofmustardtochoosefromandeachlookdistinct.Mizuna,CrimsonTide,andRubyStreaksallofferatooth-shapedleafwithvaryingcolors.GarnetRedandRedGianthave

aroundedleafwithdeepcontrastingcolors.Mustardsrangefromgreentodeeppurple,makingthemaverydiversecrop.Theyareverytasty,offeringmildtospicyflavor.

BriefHistory

Knownforitsfierynature,mustarddatesbackfivethousandyears.Itisoneofthefewplantsthathavebeencultivatedforbothitsseedandleaf.MustardasacondimentevolvedfromapastecreatedbytheGreeks.Alongwithitsintenseflavor,mustardalsoyieldsmedicinalbenefits.Itwassaidtohelpwiththestingofascorpionaswellastoserveasapoulticeforvariousailments.Theleafofthemustardhasbeenusedeverywhereincooking,fromChinatotheUnitedStates,anditremainspopularforitsflavorandnutritionalvalue.Mustardisn’texemptfromitsownlore.ItwassaidtogiveaGermanbridepowerinherhouseholdifsewnintothehemofherweddingdressandthoughttoprovideprotectionfromevilspirits.

PacChoi

Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies BrassicarapaVarietieswerecommend Kinkoh(Yellow),RedChoiTaste Sweetfullflavor

Averagedaystogerminate 3to4daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 7to10daysAverageweightpertray 8to10ouncesDifficulty Easy

GrowingTips

LikealloftheAsiangreenswehaveexperimentedwith,wehavefoundpacchoitobebothhardyandeasytogrow.

Themoredirectsunlightitreceives,thedeeperitsredcolor(whengrowingredpacchoi).

HarvestingTips

Harvestaninchabovethesoil.

Givesheavyyieldsandisquicktoharvest.

WashingTips

Washingisquickandeasy.

Thesmallblackseedsareeasytoseeandremove.

Onerinseisusuallysufficient.

PossibleChallenges

Nonethatwehavefound.

OurThoughts

WearehappytohaveanarrayofAsiangreensavailabletous.Theyneverdisappointandyieldsturdy,stronggreenswithheavyweightsandgoodstructure.Theycanbesowndenselyandlookbeautifulwithorwithouttheirtrueleaf.Aredvarietyisavailablethathasavariegatedgreenandredleaf.Redpacchoiisacropthatbenefitsfromthecold.Itscotyledonsandtrueleavestransformfromalightsmokypurpletoadeepmarooninthecoldermonths.If

growingpacchoiinside,youmaywanttoexposeittothecolderoutsideairadayortwobeforeyouharvesttosimulatethechangeinweather.KinkohpacchoiissimilartoTokyoBekanaandfeaturesabrilliantyellowcotyledonandroundedleaf.Italsoboastsasweettastethatmakesitgreatasabaseofamix.

BriefHistory

CommonnamesforpacchoiarebokchoyandChinesecabbage.IthasalsobeendescribedasChinesechard,Chinesemustard,andcelerymustard.AlthoughbothareidentifiedasBrassicarapa,itisdistinctlydifferentfromitscloserelativenapacabbage.NativetoChina,recordsdateitsuseincookingbackoversixthousandyears.WhileearlycultivationconfineditchieflytoAsia,pacchoiisnowusedandavailableallovertheworld.

Pea

Family Leguminosae(Fabaceae)Genusandspecies PisumsativumVarietieswerecommend DwarfSugarGreyTaste Sweetfreshpeaflavor

Averagedaystogerminate 3to5daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 5to7daysAverageweightpertray 8to12ouncesDifficulty Easy

GrowingTips

Easytogrow.

Coverseedswithsoil,makingsuretheydonotbecomeexposedoncewatered.

Peaisacool-weathercrop.Inspringandfall,tendrilswillbesweet,small,andcompact(3to4inches).

Ifgrowninthesummer,besuretokeepthemintheshade.Withoutshade,peashootscanlosetheirdarkcolorandsweetflavor.

Sproutedpeaseedsmakeatastytreatforcritters.Ifgrowingthemoutside,keepthemcoveredandofftheground.

HarvestingTips

Veryeasytoharvest.

Ifallowedtogrowtoolarge,cuthighonthestem.

WashingTips

Onequickrinseissufficient.

Peatendrilstendtorepelwater,makingthemquicktodry.

PossibleChallenges

Afavoritewiththerodents.

Summerheatcaneffectgrowthandflavor.

OurThoughts

Whethergrowingforthehomeortosell,peashootsareanexcellentcrop.Easytoharvestandprocess,theymakeagreatadditiontoanysaladandmakeabeautifulgarnish.Theirfreshspringtasteisatreatinthewintermonths.Peaspreferacoolerclimate,makingthemlosesomeoftheirsweetnessinthesummer.

BriefHistory

Peashaveavastandvariedhistory.Forsuchasmallvegetable,theyhavemadequiteanimpactontheworld.AccordingtoNorsemythology,Thorsentdragonstofillthevillagewellswithpeasasapunishment.Thedragons,beingsloppyintheirtask,droppedpeasontothesoil,whichthengerminatedandgrew.Tohonor(andnotupset)Thor,theNorsepeoplecultivatedthepeasandatethemonlyonThor’sday(Thursday).PeasmadetheirwaythoughFrenchandBritishcookingandplayedakeyroleinsustainingnutritionincolonialtimesintheUnitedStates.Theybridgedthegapbetweenrichandpoor.Canned,frozen,orfresh,peascontinuetobeapartoftheAmericandiet.

Radish

Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies RaphanussativusVarietieswerecommend HongVit,ChinaRoseTaste Potentspicyflavor

Averagedaystogerminate 3to4daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 6to8daysAverageweightpertray 8to10ouncesDifficulty Easy

GrowingTips

Justasradishesareknownforhoweasilyandquicklytheygrowinthegarden,microradishesarenoexception.

Theydonotrequireanyspecialattentionandalwaysperform.

Radish’slargeseedscanbecoveredwithsoilortowels.

HarvestingTips

Ifharvestedattheoptimaltime,theywillremaintenderandkeeptheirvibrantstemcolor.

Iftheyareallowedtogrowpasttheirprime,theywillbecomewoodyandtoughwithoversizedcotyledons.

Harvestlowonthestemtofeatureitsbeautifulcolor.

WashingTips

Generallyeasytowash.

Occasionallyyoumaynoticethatsomeoftheleaveshaveblackspotsonthem.Thisissomethingtolookoutforinthewashingprocess.

Youwillfindanabundanceofseedhullsinyourwashwaterwiththiscrop.Theyarelargeandlightandwillfloattothetopofyourtub.Simplyuseyourhandtoskimthesurfaceandremovethem.Repeatthisstepuntilalloftheseedhullsareremoved.Thetwo-stagewashingmethodcanbehelpfulifyoufindthatseedhullsarehidingundertheleaves.

PossibleChallenges

Ifgrowninshade,HongVit’ssignaturepurplestemcanloseitsdeepcolor.Fullsunwillhelpachieveoptimalstemcolor.Exposingradishtocoldertemperatureswillalsohelpwiththis.

ChinaRoseseedqualitycanvarygreatly.Wehavegrownseedsthatproducedanywherefromwhitetorichpinkstems.Whilefullsunandcoldstresswillhelpwithitscolor,someseedsdon’tseemtobeabletomakenicepinkstems.

Lower-qualityChinaRoseseedwillproduceanabundanceofblackspotsonitscotyledons.

OurThoughts

HongVitradishisafavorite.Wehavefoundthatthestunningcontrastofitsdarkgreencotyledonstoitsvibrantpurplestemtobebothbeautifulasasinglecroporasasplashofcolorandspicetoanymix.

BriefHistory

Radishisperhapsmostwellknowntodayforhoweasyitistogrow.Becausetheradishisquicktogerminateandfasttofruit,beginnergardenershavelittletroubleaddingittotheirgrowingrepertoire.Whiletheradish’sexactoriginisdisputed,theChinesehavebeengrowingitforthousandsofyears.TheEgyptiansintegratedradishesintotheirdietandenjoyedthemearlyintheircivilization.Whileweareusedtosmallredbeauties,oldEuropeanvarietiesrangedfromwhitetoredandhavebeenrecordedtoweighasmuchasonehundredpounds.RadisheswereoneoftheearliercropscultivatedbysettlersinNorthAmerica,recordedtohavebeengrowingbythemid-seventeenthcentury.

TokyoBekana

Family BrassicaceaeGenusandspecies Brassicarapa(chinensisgroup)Varietieswerecommend TokyoBekanaTaste Sweetlettuceflavor

Averagedaystogerminate 3to4daysAveragedaystoharvest(aftergermination) 7to10daysAverageweightpertray 8to10ouncesDifficulty Easy

GrowingTips

TokyoBekanaisahardyAsiangreen.

Itisbeautifulatitscotyledonstagebutalsoproducesanattractivetrueleaf.

Putsontrueleavesquickly.

HarvestingTips

Harvestaninchabovethesoil.

Givesheavyyieldsandisquicktoharvest.

WashingTips

Washingiseasywiththiscropandonerinseisusuallysufficient.

Itssmall,darkseedhullscontrastwiththeyellowcotyledons,makingthemeasytoseeandremove.

PossibleChallenges

Duringthesummermonths,Tokyo’sbrightyellowturnstoalightgreen.

Growthcanbeuneven.

OurThoughts

ThisAsiangreeniseasytogrowandproducesadensetrayofbrightcotyledons.Itisreliableandconsistent,makingitagreatbaseformixes.WearealwayslookingforacontrastingvividyellowforthevariousmixesthatweofferourchefsandhavebeenveryhappywithTokyoBekana.Itssweetflavor

complementsanyspicyorbitterflavorsyoumightaddtoamix.Asthisseedcanbeextremelyexpensive,takethetimetoresearchbeforepurchasing.

BriefHistory

TokyoBekanasharesaverysimilarhistorywithpacchoi.Bothvarietiesarethoughttohavebeencultivatedforoversixthousandyears,originatinginAsia.TokyoBekanaisaChinesecabbageadaptedandbredbytheJapanese.Itcarriessimilarcharacteristicstoanapacabbagebutfeaturesalightyellowleafandmoredelicatetexture.PerhapsthespecificcultivationofTokyoBekana,alsocalledpeitsai,beganaftertheparentspecies,Brassicarapa,wasbroughtfromChinabacktoJapanaftersoldiersreturnedfromtheRusso-JapaneseWar.

CompostingAfteryouhavecutyourtrayofgreens,youwillbeleftwithaflatofsoil,fulloffibrousstemsandroots.Sinceyouhavecutyourgreensbelowtheircotyledons,theywillnotgrowforasecondtime.However,takingyourtraysofusedearthandtransformingthemintoarichsoilisveryeasy.

Vegetablesgrownonfarmsandingardenscanbeclassifiedbyhowheavilytheyfeedonthesoil.Unlikevegetablesthataregrowinginthesoilforlongperiodsoftime,microgreensaregrowingforonlyaweekortwo.Thisshortcycleresultsinlittletaxationofthenutrientsinthesoil.Eventhoughyoursoilhasbeenusedonceforgrowingmicrogreens,itisstillalivewithbiologicallife,organicmatter,traceminerals,andnutrients.Afterbeingamendedandcomposted,itcanbeusedtojumpstartasmallgardenplotortogrowanothercropofgreens.

Ifyouareunableduetospaceortime,ornotinterestedincomposting,thereareseveraloptionsforspreadingthewealthofyoursoil.Ifyouliveinanurbanarea,seekoutacommunitygarden.Storeyoursoilinfive-gallonbucketsortrashbagsanddeliverittothegardenonceaweek.Otheroptionsincludefriends’andneighbors’gardensoralocalschooldoingagardenprojectwiththeirstudents.Anotherpossibilitythatislessinvolvedthancreatingacompostheapisfillingafewlargeflowerpotswithyourusedsoil.Sprinklealayerofalfalfaorkelp(bothofwhichcanbepurchasedatanylocalnursery)andlayerinyoursoil.Keepingitmoist,letitbreakdownforafewweekstoacoupleofmonths,dependingonweatherconditions.Whenyounoticethattherootshaveincorporatedintothesoil,plantaflower,vegetable,orkitchenherbinthepot!

Withsomanymethodsofcompostingoutthere,theideaofmakingyourowncompostcanseemdaunting.Withourbusylives,itmayseemlikejustonemorethingtodo.Inthischapter,wewillshowyouhowcompostingcanbeeasy,quick,andevenenjoyable.Compostingcanbeespeciallyfunandeducationalforyoungchildren.Beingapartofthetransformationofsoilisbothrewardingandfascinating.Thisisanotherareainwhichexperimentingisdefinitelyencouraged.Don’tletsomeonetellyouthereisonlyonewaytomakegreatcompost.Followingafewsimpleguidelineswillallowyoutointegratecompostingintoyourlifewithease.Theultimateformofrecycling,compostingallowsyoutotransformyourkitchenscraps,yardwaste,andusedmicrogreentraysintorich,healthysoil.

Thecompostpileisanassettoanyhomeorgarden.Itisbasicallyalayeredheapmadeupofjustaboutanyavailableorganicmaterial,suchasgrassclippings,leaves,hay,straw,kitchenscraps,harvestedmicrogreentrays,andevenpapertowels.Creatingacompostpileallowsyoutoevenlybreakdownthesematerialsintorich,darksoilthatisteemingwithbiologicallife.

Ifyouweretoletanyorganicmaterialsitaroundforlongenoughoutside,itwouldeventuallybreakdownandbecomesoil.Justlooktotheforestandyoucanseethishappeningeveryday.Aftertreesdroptheirleaves,theleavesslowlybreakdowntobecomethesoilthatthenenrichesthetreesthemselves;evenafallentreewilleventuallydothesame.

Innature,theprocessofdecayinghappensduetotheactivityofmicrobiallife.Fromwormstobacteriaandfungi,thesoilissofulloflifethatitishardtotrulycomprehend.Ithasbeensaidthatthereismorelifeinaspoonfulofhealthysoilthanhumanscurrentlylivingontheplanet.Dependingonitsfertility,thenumberofmicrobesinatablespoonofsoilvariesfrommillionstobillions.Iftheconditionsinacompostheapareideal,theirnumbersareunimaginable.Likeyouandme,biologicallifeneedsair,moisture,food,andwarmthtothrive.

Air

Asthemicrobesaredigestingthecomponentsofyourcompostpile,theyarealsoconsumingoxygen.Whenbuildingyourpile,itishelpfultolayerincoarsematerial,suchasleaves,straw,hay,etc.Thiscreatespocketsofairthatincreasecirculationandallowforfasterdecomposition.Afterafewweeksyouwillnoticeyourheapwillstarttoshrinkasthemicrobesuseuptheavailableoxygen.

Tokeepthedigestionofthepileontrack,youwillwanttoturnitregularly.Ifyoufindthatyoudonothaveasupplyofcoarsematerialavailable,turningyourpilemorefrequentlycanbehelpful.

Moisture

Whentryingtoobtainthepropermoistureinyourpile,imaginearung-outsponge.Ifyouweretosqueezeahandfulofyourcompost,youshouldgetonlyoneortwodropsofwater.Thekeyhereisforthepiletofeelmoist,notwet.Saturatedsoilreducestheamountofairavailabletothemicrobes.Eachtimeyouaddnewmaterialtoyourpile,gentlyandevenlywaterit.Thiswillhelpmaintainpropermoisturethroughoutthepile.Ifthepilegetstoowetortoodry,compostingwillslow.Ifthishappens,turnyourpileandmakeadjustments.We’vealwaysthoughtofturningourcompostasaresetbuttonforthecompostingprocess.Youcanalwaysaddmoredrymaterialorwater,ifneeded,andtryagain.

Food

Thetwotypesof“food”thatmakeupabalancedcompostpilecanbereferredtoaseithernitrogenousorcarbonaceous.Materialssuchaskitchenscraps,manure,andcoffeegroundsarenitrogenrich.Materialssuchasleaves,straw,andshreddednewspaperarecarbonrich.Thinkofyournitrogenmaterialsasbeingfresh,green,orwetandyourcarbonmaterialsasbrown,woody,ordry.Freshgreenhaywouldbeconsideredanitrogenfood,butthesamehay,ifallowedtodryoutandturnbrown,wouldbeconsideredmorecarbonaceous.Thetrickwiththesetwofoodsistheratioinyourpile.Youwillalwayswantquiteabitmorecarbonthannitrogen,thirtypartsofcarbontoeveryonepartofnitrogen.AnythingyouaddtoyourpilehasitsownC:Nratio.Belowisachartshowingsomeofthemorecommoningredientsyoumightuse.Aboveallelse,realizethatyoucan’tgowrong.Remember,thefallentreeintheforestwilleventuallyturnbackintosoil.

CarbontoNitrogenRatioChartSawdust* 300:1to500:1Newspaper 170:1Papertowels 120:1

Straw 80:1Leaves 60:1Kitchenscraps 20:1Grassclippings 20:1Coffeegrounds 20:1

*Dependingonitsstageofdecomposition.

Warmth

Heatisagoodindicatorofhowbalancedalloftheotherfactors(food,air,moisture)areinyourpile.Thelayersofsoilinthepilehaveinoculateditwithapopulationofmicrobes.Thecloseryourcarbon-nitrogenratioisto30:1,thequickerthemicrobeswillstarttothriveandconsumeyourmaterials.Thewarmththepilegeneratesisactuallyduetothemetabolicactivityofthemicrobes.Inacompostpilethereisusuallyadominoeffect:thecool-lovingmicrobesstarttheparty,generateenoughheatforthewarm-lovingmicrobestotakeover,andthey,inturn,generateenoughwarmthfortheheat-lovingmicrobestotakeover.

Tocheckthewarmthofyourpile,simplyputyourhandinside,8to12inchestowardsthecenter.Ifyourpilehasstartedtoheat,soilinthecenterwillbewarm,evenhottothetouch.Togetamoreaccuratereading,useathermometer.Largeweather-resistantcompostthermometersareeasilyfoundatanygardeningstore.Toensureanyweedseedsarekilledoffandtoreducethetimeittakestomakefinishedcompost,youmaywanttogetyourpileupto150to160degreesFforashortperiod.Formostpeople,though,havingapilethatgeneratesabitofwarmthisperfect.Itmaytakealittlemoretimetocompost,butit’snotaracetoseewhofinishesfirst.

MakingaCompostPile

Whenbuildingyourpile,thinkofalayeredcake.Thespongycakelayerwillconsistofyourcarboningredients,andthelayersoffrostingwillbeyournitrogeningredients.Onceyouhavegatheredyourmaterials,youwillwanttostartlayeringthem.Yourpilesizeshouldbeatleast3x3x3feetbutcanbeaslargeasspaceandmaterialswillallow.Keepthesizeconvenienttoturnand

workwith.Thefirstlayerofyourheapshouldbeyourcarbonaceousmaterial(i.e.,straw,leaves,etc.).Thereasonforstartingwiththesematerialsistohelpwithproperdrainageandaircirculation.Shootforaround6to8inchesforthislayertohaveasolidstart.Thenextlayerwillbecomposedofyournitrogenousmaterial.Ifusingwetkitchenscraps,acoupleofincheswillbesufficient.Ifeitherlawnclippingsorfresh(undried)hayareavailable,youwillwanttoaddaslightlythickerlayer.Ifyouchoosetoincludeadditionalamendments,youcanlayertheminnow.

Avoidusingmeatsandfatsastheywilltendtoattracthungryanimalsandbreakdownslowerthanyourotheringredients.Ifyouchoosetoaddeggshellstoyourpile,takethetimetocrushthemup.Youmaystillnoticesmallpiecesofeggshellinyourfinishedcompost.Don’tbealarmed,asthisispurelyanaestheticissue.Theywillcontinuetobedigestedinthesoil.Toavoidthisunevendecomposition,simplybakeyoureggshellsintheovenat400degreesFfor15to20minutes.Bakingthemoistureoutoftheshellswillallowthemtobepulverizedintoapowder.Thisextrastepwilllettheshellsbedigestedbythecompostpilemorequickly.

Thenextlayerwillbecomposedofaninchofsoil,pottingsoil,orcompost(whicheverisavailabletoyou).Nowwouldbeagoodtimetolayerinyourusedtraysofsoilfromyourharvestedmicrogreens.Thepurposeofthislayeristoinoculateyourpilewithmicrobes;thericherthesoil,thebetter.Itisagoodideatowateryourlayersasyougo.Afteryouhavefinishedallofyourfirstlayers,youwillnowwanttobeginagainwithyourcarbon-richmaterialandrepeattheprocessuntilyouhaverunoutofyouringredientsorreachedyouridealsize.

Anotherwayofrecyclingharvestedtraysistocreateapilemadesolelyoftheusedmicrogreensoil.Thisisagoodoptionforpeoplewhodon’thaveothermaterialstheywanttocompost.Themicrobiallifewillquicklybreakdowntherootsandstemsinthesoilsoitcanbereintegratedbackintogrowing.Asyouarelayeringyourflatsofsoil,ithelpstoaddadustingofalfalfamealand/orwaterthepilewithabitofliquidkelp.Thishelpstorestoreanytracemineralsthatthesoilhaslost.Crabmealcanalsobesprinkledin,asitisagentlesourceofnitrogenandcalcium.

Ifusingpottingsoilthathasbeensterilized,youwillwanttoinoculateyourpilewithadoseofbeneficialmicrobes.Thiscanbeachievedinacoupleofdifferentways.Youcanuseacompostacceleratorormicrobialinoculantpowder.Bothofwhichcanbeuseddryandlayeredintoapile.Theyarefoundatmostgardening

storesoratJohnny’sSelectedSeeds(www.johnnyseeds.com.).Youcanalsomakeacompostorvermicomposttea.Todothisyouwillneedasmallaquariumairpump,abucket,compostorwormcastings,andmolassesorfruitjuiceofsomekind.Fillyourbucketwithwater;addafewlargehandfulsofcompostanda“sip”ofjuiceormolasses.Usetheairpumptokeeptheteabubblingforadayortwo,andthenwateryourpilewithit.

AdditionalAmendmentsforYourCompostPile

AgriculturalLime(suchasdolomite):Availableatanylocalgardenstore,limeisagoodsourceofcalciumandmagnesium.Whetherornotitisnecessarytouselimedependsonthevolumeofacidicmaterialsyouuse(i.e.,fruits,coffeegrounds,tomatoes,pineneedles,etc.).Inacidicconditions,alightdustinghelpstopromotedigestionofyourcompost-pileingredientsandpreventssouring.Asover-limingcancausenitrogenloss,addonlyaverylightdustingdirectlyonyouracidicmaterials.Thelimeshouldbeappliedlightlyenoughtoseethematerialsbelowversushavingasolidwhitelayer.Groundoystershellscanalsobeusedwithsimilareffect.

AlfalfaMeal:Alfalfaisanextraordinaryplant.Itsabilitytosendroots40to60feetdeepintheearthandbringuptraceelementsandmineralsthatotherplantscan’treachmakesitagreatresource.Madeupofgroundalfalfa,itsmealisagreatadditiontoanysoilorcompostpile.Whenaddingittoyourpile,putathickdustingafterthesoillayer.

OtherMeals(Blood,Crab,Fish,andFeather):Ifyouhaveanabundanceofcarbonaceousmaterialandneedmorenitrogenousmaterialforyourpile,youcouldalwayssupplementwithabitofoneofthesemeals.Asidefromcrab,theyareallextremelyhighinnitrogen,soyouwillwanttousethemsparingly.Agentlerformofnitrogen,ourpersonalfavorite,iscrabmeal.Crabs(aswellasothercrustaceans)haveasubstanceintheirshellscalledchitin.Whenchitinisintroducedintothesoil,itstimulatesapopulationofchitin-lovingmicrobes.Aftereatingallofthechitinavailableinthecrabmeal,thesemicrobesturntheirattentiontothenematodesinthesoil,whicharealsomadeupofchitin.Thiscyclehelpstobalancetheoverabundanceofparasiticnematodes.

LiquidSeaweed/Kelp:Forthousandsofyearstheseahasbeenatreasuretroveforourfarmsandgardens.Availableinabundance,seaweedisoneoftheocean’sjewels.Kelp,inparticular,isavarietyofseaweedthatisextremelyhighinminerals,vitamins,andtraceelements.

Ifyouliveinacoastalareaandhaveaccesstoseaweed,itmakesagreatrawlayerinyourcompostpile.Treatitasyouwouldwetkitchenscraps,layeringinaroundtwoinches.Ifseaweedisnotavailabletoyouinitsrawform,liquidkelpisthenextbestalternative.Youcanhaveawateringcanreadywithjustacoupletablespoonsofkelpmixedinthewater.Analternativeisbuyingadispenserthatwouldattachbetweenyourfaucetandhose.Thisdeviceallowsyoutodripinan

adjustableamountofliquideverytimeyouuseyourhose.Thissecondoptionisslightlymoreexpensivebutisconvenientifyoualsowanttofertilizeyourgardenorotheroutdoorplants.Thereareplentyofliquidamendmentsavailableatlocalgardeningstoresoronline.Withsomanybrandsandclaims,justbesuretochooseaproductwithpureingredientsandnutrient-richkelpovergreenseaweed.

CompostReceptacles

Mostcompostbinsaremedium-sizedfourwalledcontainersmadeofplasticorwood.Theaveragebinisbetween3and4feetwideandtall.Usingthistypeofcompostreceptacleallowsyoutoretaintheshapeandstructureofyourcompostpile,keepingitneatandwellkept.Anotheradvantageofusingthistypeofvesselisthatitiseasilycovered,providingprotectionfromexcessmoistureandheat.Asyouacquirematerialsforyourcompostpile,suchaskitchenscrapsandlawnclippings,thistypeofcompostvesselallowsyoutolayerasyougo.Tospeedupthecompostingprocess,simplyliftandmoveyourbintotheareaadjacentandtakeyournow-exposedpileandshovelitbackintothebin,takingwhatwasontopandmakingitnowthebottom,andwhatwasonthebottom,ontop.Thisisasimple,fast,andeasywaytoturnyourpile.Turningacompostpilegivesyouawindowintoitsprogress,createsnecessaryaeration,andspeedsupthecompostingprocess.

Tumbler

Atumblerisbasicallyabarrelcommonlymadeofplasticthatstandssuspendedonitssideorstraightup.Thesecompostershaveadoorontheirsideorascrew-offtopthatcanbeopenedtofeedyourmaterials.Itisdesignedtomaketurningandaeratingyourcompostquickandeasy,thusenablingyoutomaintain“hotcomposting”conditions.Tumblersrangeinsizefrom1cubicfootallthewayupto25cubicfeet.Thecostrangesfrom$120to$600.

Vermiculture

Vermicultureisanotherexcitingoptionthatyoucanintegrateintoyourcompostingprocess.Inhealthysoilonafarmorgarden,wormsareconsumingvastamountsofdecayingorganicmatter.Thelifeofawormbasicallyinvolveseatingandexcreting.Astheyareeating,theyarebreakingdownplantmaterialandexcretingitout.Theirdroppingsareyourgold.Wormcastingsareahugeassettohealthysoilandthereforehealthygreens.Theyareaperfectlybalancedfoodforplantsandmicrobes.

Vermicultureistheconcentrateduseofwormsinbreakingdownyourplantmatter(i.e.,kitchenscraps,coffeegrounds)tocreatedarkvitalsoil.Gettingstartedwithwormsisquiteeasy.Youwillfirstneedtogiveyourwormsahomecommonlycalledawormbin.Therearecountlesssystemsvaryinginpriceandsizethatcanallbepurchasedonlineandsenttoyoubymail,orit’salwaysworthcheckingtoseeifthereareanystoressellingsystemslocally.Youcanalsoeasily

constructyourown.Youwillfindmanydo-it-yourselfguidesonlinetohelpyouwiththis.Ifyoureceiveyoursuppliesbymail,youwillhaveaboxofwormswaitinginyourmailboxoratthepostoffice,sobesuretocheckyourmailregularlyafteryouorder!

Onceyouhavechosenorcreatedyourwormreceptacle,youmustmakesureyourwormsarewellfedandhaveadequatebedding.Wehavefoundthatkitchenscrapsandusedmicrogreensoilmakeagreatblend.Yourkitchenscrapsandrootmatterwillprovidetheirfoodwhileyoursoilwillbufferthemfromexcessmoisture,heat,andcold.Ifyoukeeptheirenvironmentideal,yourwormswillthriveandmultiply.

Oneimportantnotetomakeisthatyoudonotwanttocreateacompostpileinyourwormbin.Aswesaidearlier,whenmakingacompostpile,youwanttocreateconditionsthatallowittoheatup.Thesesameconditionswillkillyourworms!Wormslikethingscool.Temperaturesbetween55and75degreesFseemtobeideal.Toavoidheatingupyourwormbin,bemoderatewhenaddingcarbon.Weoncemadethemistakeofaddingtoomuchleftoverpastatoours.Thisresultedinthebingettingsohotoverthenextdaythatwelostmostofourworms.Evenafterremovingthepasta,itstilltookseveraldaysforthebintocoolbackdown.

Creatingyour“wormfarm”canalsobeafunprojecttostartwithchildren.Itisanotherhands-onopportunitytoteachthemaboutnatureanditslifecycles.Beingabletowatch,overaperiodoftime,asyourscrapsareeatenandtransformedisfascinating.Wehavebeenveryimpressedbythequalityandquantityofwormcastingsthatoursystemeasilyproduces.Integratingvermiculturehasbeenahugeassettoouroperationandhasincreasedthefertilityofoursoilexponentially.

Recipes:FoodasArtThereissomethingfundamentallyupliftingabouteveryaspectoffood.Thenourishmentwereceivefromitgoesbacktoourfirstmomentsasanewborn.Theconnectionbetweenmotherandchildthroughfoodissomethingonlythebestpoetorpaintercouldcomeclosetodepicting.Ourmemoriesoffresh-bakedcookiesfromourgrandmothersorThanksgivingdinnerwithourfamiliesinvokeapowerfulsenseofwell-being.Evenpopcornatthemoviesorhotdogsattheballgamebecomefondchildhoodmemories.

Theabilityoffoodtodeepenandtransformamomentiscarriedonaswegrow.Foodnotonlyprovidesphysicalnourishmentbutcanalsoofferanopportunitytobuildcommunityandfriendshipandstrengthenfamilies.Sittingamongstotherssurroundedbygoodfood,laughter,andconversationallowsustoslowdownandcelebratelife.Ithasbeensaidthatfeastingistheoppositeofwar.

Forsome,thereverenceoffoodstartsbeforethefeastwithitspreparation.Inaway,thistoocanbeafeastofthesenseswiththecomingtogetheroffriends,thesharingofrecipesandstories,therhythmicalwashing,chopping,andstirringofthefood,andthesweetsmellsthatareslowlyreleased.

Thischapterwillgiveyousomefunideasforincorporatingmicrogreensintoyourcooking.Fromentréestodesserts,microgreenscanaddflavor,nutrition,andbeautytoyourdishes.WehaveaskedafewBigSurchefstooffertheirfavoritewaystousemicrogreens.Recipesrangefromasweettakeonbasiltoabroccolimedley.Wehavealsoincludedasimplesaladthatweenjoyaswellassomeideasforexcitingmixes.

Remember,thepossibilitiesaretrulyendlessandexperimentationisthekeytodiscoveringnewflavors.

RecipesfromChefCraigvonFoersterSierraMarRestaurantatthePostRanchInn

BroccoliTasting

Serves8

PâtéBrisée

3cupsflour1tablespoonbakingpowder2teaspoonssalt1teaspoonsugar1/2poundverycoldunsaltedbutter,cutintosmallcubes3/4cupmilk

Tart

3bunchesbroccoliPâtéBrisée(recipeabove)3eggs1cuphalf-and-half1/2cupgratedwhitecheddarcheese1-1/2teaspoonssalt1/4teaspooncayennepepper

Soup

1leek,julienned(lightpartonly)1tablespoonbutter1clovegarlic,chopped1cupvegetableorchickenbroth1/2cupreservedblanchedbroccoliflorets2tablespoonscrèmefraîcheSaltandwhitepeppertotaste

RedWineVinaigrette

2tablespoonsgood-qualityredwinevinegar1teaspoonwater1/4teaspoonDijonmustard2teaspoonsdicedshallots1/4teaspoonsalt6tablespoonsextravirginoliveoil1/8teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper

Salad

3piecesreservedbroccolistemsMicrobroccoliSaltandpeppertotaste3tablespoonsRedWineVinaigrette(recipeabove)

TomakethePâtéBrisée

1.Mixtheflour,bakingpowder,salt,andsugarinthebowlofastandmixerfittedwithapaddleattachment.Runonlowforafewsecondstomix.

2.Addthecoldbutterandrunonlowspeedfor5minutesoruntilthepiecesofbutterarepeasized.

3.Addthemilkandmixjustuntilthedoughcomestogether.

4.Turnoutthedoughandkneadforafewsecondsuntilthedoughcomestogether.Wrapinplasticandrefrigeratefor1hour.

Note:Thisrecipewillmakemorethanyouwillneed.Wraptheextratightlyandfreezeforupto1month.

Tomakethetart

1.Preheatovento350degreesF.

2.Bringagallonoflightlysaltedwatertoaboilandhaveanice-waterbathready.Trimoffthetopsofthebroccoliandcutintoflorets.Reservethestemsforthesalad.Blanchthefloretsintheboilingwateruntilcrisp-tender,about2minutes,andtransfertotheicebath.

3.LightlyflouraworksurfaceandrolloutthePâtéBriséeto1/8inchthickandthencutinto2(6-inch)circles.Layeachcircleoveratartmoldandpressdoughdowntofitinthemold.Trimofftheoverlappingdoughwithasharpknife.

4.Fillthetartshellswithpieweightsandblindbakefor8minutesinthepreheatedoven.

5.Drainandchopthebroccoliflorets,reserving1/2cupforthesoup.

6.Whisktheeggstogetherwiththehalf-and-half,cheese,salt,andcayennepepper;foldinthechoppedbroccoliandfilleachtartshell.

7.Bake20minutesoruntilcustardisset.Totest,gentlyshakethetartandseeifthefillingjiggles.Ifitisnotset,returntotheovenforafewminutesmore.

Tomakethesoup

1.Cleantheleekbyremovingthegreentopandouterlayer.Cutinhalflengthwiseandjulienne.Placeinabowlofcoldwaterandgentlyswisharoundtoloosenanydirt.Letsitforafewminutestoallowanydirttosettletothebottomofthebowl,andthengentlyscooptheleeksoffthetopanddrain.

2.Meltthebutterina4-quartpot.Addtheleeksandgarlicandsweatovermediumheat.Donotallowtobrown.Whentheleeksaresoft,addthestockandsimmerfor15minutes.

3.Place1/2cupofthereservedblanchedbroccoliinthecontainerofablender,pourthehotliquidoverthetop,andcarefullyblenduntilsmooth.Transfertoasmallpotandwhiskinthecrèmefraîche.Seasonwithsaltandpeppertotasteandkeepwarm.

Tomakethevinaigrette

1.Placethevinegar,water,mustard,shallots,andsaltinabowlandletsitfor5minutes.

2.Addtheoilinaslow,steadystreamwhilewhiskingconstantlytoincorporate.Finishwiththeblackpepper.

Tomakethesalad

1.Peelthebroccolistemsdownuntiltheyareaverypalegreen(abouthalfwaythrough).Cutstemsonabiasinto1/4-inch-thickslicesandtosswiththemicrobroccoli,salt,pepper,andRedWineVinaigrettetotaste.

Toplate,warmthetartandcutintowedges.Fillaglasswithbroccolisoup.Placeonesectionoftartonaplateandtopwithmicrobroccolilightlydressedwiththevinaigrette.Placetheglassofthesoupandsaladontheplate.

Note:Alwaysdressmicrogreenslightlyandhandlegentlytoavoidmakingthemsoggyandheavy.Theyhaveanintenseflavorthatrequiresverylittleseasoning.

GrilledBeefTatakiwithCrispyWontonandAsianMicrogreenSalad

Serves6

GrilledBeef

1(2-pound)flat-ironsteak4ouncesginger,slicedandroughlychopped4greenonions,slicedandroughlychopped2tablespoonscanolaoil1/2cupsoysauce1tablespoonsesameoil

SweetSoy

1(1-inch-square)pieceginger1/2cupsoysauce1/2cupbrownsugar

OrientalVinaigrette

2tablespoonssoysauce2tablespoonsricewinevinegar1teaspoonpowderedsugar2teaspoonsgratedginger1/4cupcanolaoil1tablespoonsesameoil

CrispyWonton

3quartsoil1/2packagewontonskins,julienned

AsianMicrogreenSalad

3tablespoonscanolaoil2cupsslicedshiitakemushrooms4ouncesAsianmicrogreens1/4cupSweetSoy(recipeabove)1(2.2-ounce)packagedaikonsproutsormicrodaikon1ouncemicrocilantro1/4cupOrientalVinaigrette(above)

Tomakethebeef

1.Tossallthebeefingredientsintoabowlandrubintothesteak.Letmarinatefor1hourbeforecookingandworkontherestoftherecipewhilewaiting.

2.Grillthesteakoverahotbroileruntilrare,about2minutesperside.Letrestforabout5minutes.

Tomakethesweetsoy

Placeallingredientsinamediumpotandbringtoasimmerfor5minutes,andthenstrainandchill.

Tomakethevinaigrette

1.Placethesoysauce,vinegar,powderedsugar,andgingertogetherinabowl.Addtheoilsinaslow,steadystreamwhilewhiskingconstantlytoincorporate.

2.Placeallingredientstogetherinasmallpotandbringtosimmer.Letsitfor5minutesandstrain;setaside.

Tomakethewontons

1.Heattheoilinapotlargeenoughtocontaintheoilwhenitboilsupduringfrying.Heattheoilto325degreesF.

2.Separatewontonsintoindividualstripsandfryuntilgoldenbrowninsmallbatches,about2minutes.

3.Whentheoilstopsbubbling,thewontonsaredone.Transfertoapapertowel–linedplatetodrain.

Tomakethesalad

1.Heatthecanolaoilinalargeskillet.Addthemushroomsandsautéuntilsoftenedandbeginningtobrown.

2.AddsomeSweetSoyandletcaramelizeonthemushrooms.

3.Transfermushroomstoplateandletcool.Reserveremainingsweetsoytodrizzleoverthesteak.

4.Inalargebowl,tosstogetherthemushroomswiththeremainingsaladingredientsandthevinaigrette.

Toplate,slicethesteakintopaper-thinslicesandfanoutonthecenterofplate.Dividethetossedsaladamongtheplates.DrizzleSweetSoyoverthesteakandserve.

RecipesfromChefDomingoSantamariaDeetjen’sBigSurInn

SesameEncrustedAhiTunawithChilledAsparagusSpearsToppedwithMicroRadishandCucumberSalad

Serves4to6

SesameandHorseradishVinaigrette

1mediumshallot1/3cupredwinevinegar1cupsesameoil2tablespoonsfreshhorseradish

ChilledAsparagus

Salt12to18asparagusspears,dependingonsize

AhiTuna

1ouncecaraway1ouncecoriander1ouncesesameseeds2poundsahitunaSaltandpeppertotasteVegetableoil

CucumberandMicroRadishSalad

2largecucumbers3ouncesmicroradish(pink-stemmedChinaRoseorHongVit)SesameHorseradishVinaigrette(recipeabove)

Tomakethevinaigrette

1.Choptheshallotintosmallpiecesinafoodprocessor.

2.Slowlyaddthevinegar.

3.Graduallyaddtheoiltothicken.

4.Finishbyshavingfreshhorseradishintothefoodprocessor.Startwithatablespoonandaddmoretotaste.

Note:Ifusinghorseradishfromajar,youmaywanttoaddmorethanifyouwereusingfresh.Freshhorseradishisoftenmuchstrongerthanjarred.

5.Refrigerate.Willkeepfor3to4days.

Tomaketheasparagus

1.Boil2quartsofwaterinalargesaucepan.Addsalt.

2.Prepareanicewaterbath.

3.Putasparagusinboilingwaterfor40secondsto1minute.Becarefulnottoovercookorasparaguswillbecomestringyandloseitscrispcrunch.

Note:Thesizeoftheasparaguswilldeterminethecookingtime—smallspears40seconds;largespears1minute.

4.Quicklyremoveasparagusfromboilingwaterandplaceintheicewaterbath.

5.Removeasparagusfromicebathandplaceinamediumbowl;setaside.

TomaketheAhiTuna

1.Preheatovento400degreesF.

2.Inamediumsautépan,combinecaraway,coriander,andsesameseeds.Roastintheovenuntilgoldenbrown,about5minutes.Movethemaroundperiodicallytoavoidburningandtoensureeventoasting.

3.Removeseedsfromovenandletcool.Grindintoapowderusingacoffeegrinder.

4.Coverallsidesoftunawithadustingoftheseedpowderandseasonwithsaltandpeppertotaste.

5.Usingamediumsautépan,getthepanveryhotandaddvegetableoil.Seartunafor30secondsonallsidesuntilgolden.Cookmedium-raretomedium,dependingonyourpreference.

6.Slice4to5(1-ounce)piecesforeachserving.

Tomakethesalad

1.Shavebothskinandmeatofcucumberwithpeeler,makinglongstrings.Setasideseveralstringstotiearoundthechilledasparagus.

2.TosscucumberandmicroradishwiththeSesameandHorseradishVinaigrette,reservingafewtablespoonstodrizzleovertheasparagus.

Toplate,drizzletheasparaguswiththeSesameandHorseradishVinaigretteandthenwrapgroupsof3or4stalksinthereservedcucumberstrips.Ontheplates,fanoutmedallionsoftuna.TopwiththeCucumberandMicroRadishSaladandplacethecucumber-wrappedasparagusonplatenexttotuna.DrizzlewiththereservedSesameandHorseradishVinaigrette.

Bacon-WrappedSearedDiverScallopsonPotatoandFennelSaladToppedwithMicroCilantro

Serves4to6

Bacon-WrappedScallops

12to18largediverscallops(3perperson)12to18stripsbacon(1perscallop)Saltandpeppertotaste2tablespoonsvegetableoil

Chive-and-YogurtAioli

3clovesgarlic6eggyolks1-1/2cupsextravirginoliveoil1/2cuplemonjuice,plusmoreSaltandpeppertotaste3buncheschives1to1-1/2cupsplainyogurt(totaste)

PotatoandFennelSalad

4smallbulbsfennel3tablespoonsvegetableoil,divided6largeYukonGoldpotatoesSaltandpeppertotaste2tablespoonsbutterChive-and-YogurtAioli(recipeabove)Agedbalsamicvinegar

FreshKingCrab(optional)

3mediumcrablegs3cupsvegetablestock2bayleavesTarragon,salt,andpeppertotaste

Tomakethescallops

1.Wrapeachscallopin1stripbacon.

2.Dustwrappedscallopswithsaltandpepper.

3.Usingalargesautépan,getthepanveryhotandaddthevegetableoil.Searscallopsonallsidesuntilthebaconiscooked(scallopswillbemedium-rare.)Ifyouwouldliketocookthemlonger,finishintheovenat375to400degreesFfor2to5minutes.

Tomaketheaioli

1.Chopgarlicintosmallpiecesinafoodprocessor.

2.Slowlyaddeggyolksintothefoodprocessor.

3.Slowlyaddtheoil.Ifyouaddtheoiltooquickly,youwillnoticethemixturestartingtolooklikemayonnaise.Ifthishappens,stopaddingoilandbeginaddinglemonjuice.Addmostofthelemonjuiceuntilmixturebeginstothinout.

4.Addtherestoftheoilasaiolistartstothinout.

5.Addsaltandpepperandmorelemonjuicetotaste.

6.Chopchivesandthenthrowintheprocessor.Blendfor30seconds.

7.Emptycontentsoffoodprocessorintoalargemixingbowl.Useaspatulatograduallyfoldtheyogurtintotheaioli.

8.Refrigerate.Willkeepfor2to3days.

Tomakethesalad

1.Preheattheovento375degreesF.

2.Shavefennelwithamandoline.Sautéinapproximately1tablespoonvegetableoiluntiltender.

3.Removefrompanandletcoolinawaterbath.Fenneltendstoturnyellowifnotkeptinwater.Itwilllastatleastonedaysoakingincoldwater.

4.Washpotatoes.Tossthemwholewithsalt,pepper,andvegetableoil.Bakeonasheetpanat375degreesFuntilcookedallthewaythrough,about35minutes.Removefromovenandletcool.

5.Peelandcutpotatoesintosmallpieces.

6.Mashfennel,potatoes,andbuttertogether.Makesuretheingredientsarewarm,nothot,sothatyoudon’tbreaktheaioli.

7.StirinChive-and-YogurtAiolitotaste,reservingsometodrizzleontheplates.

Tomakethecrab(optional)

1.Prepareanicewaterbath.

2.Putcrabs,vegetablestock,bayleaves,tarragon,salt,andpepperinalargesautépan.

3.Boileverythingtogetherfor3to5minutes.

4.Removecrabandcoolintheicewaterbath.

5.Shredintosmallpieces.AddtoPotatoandFennelSalad.

Toplate,makeabedofPotatoandFennelSalad,andthenplacescallopsonthesalad.TopwithmicrocilantroanddrizzlethereservedChive-and-YogurtAioliandagedbalsamicvinegarovertheentireplate.

RecipesfromChefsPhilWojtowiczandMichelleRizzoloOwnersandChefsofTheBigSurBakery

MicrogreenSpringSaladwithCarrotGingerDressing

Serves4

MicrogreenSpringSalad

2tablespoonssalt1handfulpeashootmicrogreens1/2cupfavabeans,blanched4carrots,smalldiced,blanched1handfulTokyoBekanamicrogreens1handfulredpacchoimicrogreens1pinchamaranthmicrogreens4radishes,slicedintothincoins1cuppeas,blanchedSaltandpeppertotaste

Carrot-GingerDressing

1inchginger,peeledandslicedintocoins1/4cupricewinevinegar1/2cupwater1tablespoonsoysauce1tablespoonmayonnaiseKoshersaltandfreshlygroundblackpeppertotaste

Tomakethesalad

1.Prepareanicewaterbathbyfillingalargebowlhalfwaywithwaterandputabout2dozenicecubesinit;setaside.

2.Bringagallonofwatertoaboilinalargepot.Addsalt,andthenblanchthepeasuntilthey’rebrightgreenandtender,about3minutes.Immediatelyremovefromtheboilingwaterwithaslottedspoonandplaceinicewaterbathtocool

for2minutes—theicewaterwillstopthepeasfromovercookingandhelpthemretaintheircolor.Removefromwaterbathandsetaside.

3.Repeattheblanchingprocesswiththefavabeansandcarrots.Reservethepeas,beans,and1/2cupdicedcarrottogarnishthesalad.

4.Placethemicrogreens,radishes,carrots,peas,andfavabeansinabowlandseasonlightlywithsaltandpepper.

Tomakethedressing

1.Fillasmallpotwithcoldwater.Addthegingerandbringtoarapidboil.Strainoutthewaterandrepeattwomoretimes.

2.Placetheginger,1/2cupreservedcarrots,ricewinevinegar,andwaterinablenderandblenduntilsmooth.Removefromtheblenderandplaceinabowl.Whiskinthesoysauceandmayonnaise.Checktheseasoningandaddsaltandpepperifnecessary.

Toplate,gentlytossthesaladwithjustenoughdressingtolightlycoatthegreensandvegetables.Seasonwithsaltandpeppertotaste.Drizzlesomedressingonaplatterandplacethesaladontop.

RoastedBabyBeetswithBeetMicrogreensandGoatCheeseCrostini

Serves4

RoastedBeets

24assortedbabybeets,greensreservedSaltandpeppertotaste1/4cupoliveoil,divided1/2cupwater3tablespoonsredwinevinegar1headfrisée2tablespoonsmincedchives2tablespoonsmincedscallions2ouncesbeetand/orchardmicrogreens

BeetGreens

2tablespoonsoliveoil1/2smallyellowonion,sliced2clovesgarlic,slicedPinchofredchiliflakes2cupsroughlychoppedbeetgreens(reservedfromabove)Saltandpeppertotaste1teaspoonredwinevinegar

GoatCheeseCrostini

4(1/2-inch-thick)slicessourdoughorcountrybread2tablespoonsoliveoil1tablespoonmincedflat-leafparsleySaltandpeppertotaste

2to3ouncessoftgoatcheese

Tomakethebeets

1.Trimthestemsoffthebeets.Washandreserve2cupsofthegreens.

2.Washthebeets,makingsurenottopuncturetheskin.Arrangeinaroastingpaninasinglelayer,seasonwithsaltandpepper,anddrizzle2tablespoonsoiland1/2cupwaterovertop.Coverwithaluminumfoilandroastthebeetsat400degreesFuntilforktender,about35to45minutes,dependingonthesizeofthebeets.

3.Whenthebeetsaretender,carefullyremovethemfromtheroastingpanwhilestillwarm,andusingakitchentowel,rubtheskinoffthebeets.Cutbeetsinhalfandtosswiththevinegarand2tablespoonsoil.

4.Washthefriséeandremovethegreentipsfromtheleaves,leavingonlythewhiteandyellowpartofthehead.Cutthecoreoffandteartheremainingleavesintomediumpieces.Putthefriséeinasaladbowlandreserve.

Tomakethegreens

1.Heatalargesautépanovermediumheatanddrizzlewiththeoil.Addtheonion,garlic,andchiliflakesandcookslowlyuntiltheonionsaretranslucent,about4minutes.

2.Addthereservedgreens,seasonthemwithsaltandpepper,andcookforanother8to10minutes,stirringoccasionally,untilthestemsaretender.Removefromtheheat,stirinthevinegar,andtransfertoaseparatedishtocool;setaside.

Tomakethecrostini

1.Brushbothsidesofeachbreadslicewithoilandseasonwithparsley,salt,andpepper.

2.Arrangetheslicesonasheetpanandplaceintheovenuntillightlytoasted,about7minutes.Removethecrostinifromtheoven,spreadabout2tablespoonsBeetGreensoneach,andtopwith1tablespoongoatcheese.Seasonwithmoresaltandpepper.

3.Keepthecrostinionthesheetpanandwarmrightbeforeserving.

Toplate,reheatthebeetsovermedium-highheatinasautépan,andthentosswiththefrisée,chives,andscallionswhilestillwarm.Seasonwithsaltandpepper,addremainingbeetmicrogreens,andtoss.Transfertoaservingplatter.Placewarmcrostiniaroundthebeets.

ButtermilkPannaCottawithStrawberriesandBasilMicrogreens

Serves6

PannaCotta

1vanillabean1-1/4cupsheavywhippingcream1/2cupsugar2tablespoonswater1-1/2teaspoonsgelatin1 3/4cupsbuttermilk

Strawberries

1pintstrawberries,quartered2tablespoonssugar1/4cupbasilmicrogreens

MicroBasilOil

8ouncesmicrobasilor3bunchesbasil1tablespoonsalt1cupcanolaoil

Tomakethepannacotta

1.Splitthevanillabeanlengthwisewithaparingknifeandscrapeoutthepulpwiththebackoftheknife.

2.Putthepulpandpodintoapotwiththecreamandsugar.Bringtoaboilandsteepfor15minutes.

3.Inabowl,pourinthewaterandsprinklewiththegelatin.Letsitfor5minutesuntilthegelatinexpandsandresemblesapplesauce.

4.Bringthecreammixturebacktoaboilandtemperthehotliquidintothegelatinbyaddingaladleatatimewhilewhiskingvigorously.

5.Removethevanillabeanpodandstirinthebuttermilk.Pourmixtureinto6ramekinsandrefrigerateuntilset,atleast4hours.

Tomakethestrawberries

Rightbeforeserving,tossthestrawberrieswithsugarandbasilmicrogreens.

Tomaketheoil

1.Makeanicewaterbath;setaside.

2.Bringagallonofwatertoaboilinalargepot.Addsaltandblanchthebasilintheboilingwateruntilbrightgreen,about20to30seconds.Immediatelystrainthebasilandplaceitinthewaterbathtocoolfor2minutes—theicewaterwillstopthebasilfromovercookingandwillhelpitretainitscolor.

3.Squeezethebasildrywithakitchentowelandpuréeinablenderwiththecanolaoil.

4.Letsitfor2hoursatroomtemperatureandthenstrainthroughafine-meshsieve.Discardthesolidsandreservethebasiloiluntilreadytouse.

Toplate,unmoldthepannacottaandplacetheramekininaglassofhotwaterforjustafewseconds.Thiswillhelpthepannacottareleasefromthesides.Flipoverintoabowlandgarnishwiththestrawberryandbasilsalad.DrizzletheMicroBasilOilovertop.

RecipesfromEricFranksandJasmineRichardsonOwnersofTrueLeafMicrogreens

OurFavoriteMicroSalad

Serves4to6

8ouncesofyourfavoritemixofmicrogreens2mediumcucumbers2avocados3tomatoes(optional)ExtravirginoliveoilBalsamicvinegarManchegocheeseSeasaltandfreshlygroundpepper

1.Makeabedofgreensonalargeservingplatter.

2.Cutcucumbers,avocados,andtomatoesintothinhalf-moonslices.

3.Layslicedvegetablesoveryourbedofgreens.

4.Dressthesaladwithagenerousamountofoliveoilandadashofbalsamicvinegar(usinga3:1oiltovinegarratio).

5.Useagratertocutthinslicesofcheese.Arrangecheeseonsalad.Saltandpeppertotasteandthenserve.

MicrogreenMixes

Hereareacoupleofmixeswehavehadsuccesswith.Mostofthevarietieswecallforcanbesubstitutedwithwhateveryouaregrowing.Theratiosgivencreateabalancedmix,pairingflavorwithappearance.Allofthesemixescanbeusedasthebaseofanyfavoritesalad.

AsianMix

Allofthesevarieties(besidesradish,whichbecomestough)arebeautifulwhengrowntotheirtrueleafstage,makingthisagreatmicrogreensaladmix.

3 1/2ouncesTokyoBekana2 1/2ouncesredpacchoi1-1/2ouncesradish(HongVitorChinaRose)1/2ounceamaranth

Tossallingredientstogetherandgarnishdishesaccordingtoyourdesire.

MicroMix

Thismixiscomposedofveryyoungmicros,harvestedattheircotyledonstage.Wefindthatitisbettertouseasagarnishthanasamicrosalad.

4ouncespurplecabbage2ouncesarugulaorbroccoli1-1/2ouncesendive1/2ounceamaranth

Tossallingredientstogetherandgarnishdishesaccordingtoyourdesire.

SpicyMix

Thismixpackssomeheat.Thevibrantcolorsoftheradishandmustardpairedwiththegreenarugulaanddelicatecressmakeitbothbeautifulanddelicious.

Takenotethatifyouarecuttingthismixforstorageyouwillwanttoleaveoutthecressasittendstohaveashortershelflifethantheotheringredients.

3ouncesradish(HongVitorChinaRose)2ouncesmustard2ouncesarugula1ounce(garden)cress

Tossallingredientstogetherandgarnishdishesaccordingtoyourdesire.

SpringPeaMix

Thesweetnessofpeashoots,pairedwithbitterendiveandspicyradish,blendnicelyforavariedhardytakeonamicrosalad.Peashootsmakeagreatbasebecauseoftheirsubstantialsizeandmildflavor.

4ouncespeashoots2ouncesendive2ouncesradish(chinaroseorhongvit)

Tossallingredientstogetherandgarnishdishesaccordingtoyourdesire.

Troubleshooting1.Whatifmyseedsaren’tgerminating?2.WhatifmygerminatingseedsarestickingtothepapertowelwhenIpullitoff?

3.WhatifIseemoldwhenIpullupmytowel?4.Whatiftheseedscomeupthicklyinsomespotsandsparselyinothers?5.Whatifmygreensstarttorot?6.Whatifmytrayofsoilgetsacrackinit?7.Whatifmygreensaregettingtallandweedy?8.Whatifmygreensareyellowingandstunted?9.Whatiftheleavesofmygreenslookburnt?10.WhatifmygreensbecomelimpafterIharvest?

1.Whatifmyseedsaren’tgerminating?

Thereareafewsimplequestionstouseasachecklistwhenencounteringthisproblem:

Seed:AmIusingarelativelynew,viableseed?

Checkingtheseedviabilityisquiteeasyaslongasyouknowthesourceoftheseed.Ifyoupurchasedtheseed,valuableinformationwillbeavailabletoyouonthepacket.Youshouldbeabletofindalotdate,idealtemperaturerangeforgermination,averagepercentageofgermination,andsometimesdaysuntilgermination.Ifyoufindthatyourseedhasalowgerminationrate(anythingbelow80percent)youmaywanttobuynewseed,chooseadifferentseedsourceorvariety,orsowtheseedmoredenselynexttime.Ifyouhaveallowedyourseedstogethotorwet,theirgerminationratemaybeaffected.

Moisture:Aremytraysdryingoutduringtheday?

Underwateringismuchmoreofaconcernthanoverwateringduringthegerminationprocess.Neverletyourtowelandtoplayerofsoildryout.However,oversaturatingyoursoilatthisstageisnotadvisablebecauseyoucan

leachimportantnutrients.Yourobjectiveistokeepyoursoil,andthereforeyourseed,moist.Inthebeginningstagesofgermination,beforetheseedshavesetroots,focusonkeepingthetoplayermoistinsteadofworryingaboutsoakingtheentiretray.

Temperature:Isthetemperaturewherethegreensaregerminatingtoohotortoocold?

Extremeheatorcoldisoftenafactorinpoorgermination.Itiseasytoobtaingoodgerminationrateswithtemperaturesrangingfrom55to75degreesF.Duetothevariationfromvarietytovariety,referringtoyourseedpacketcanbehelpful,asthisinformationisusuallyprovidedforyou.

Ifyouareencounteringanyproblemswiththegerminationofyourseeds,don’tbediscouraged.Oneadvantageofgrowingatrayofmicrogreensversusafieldoflettuceisyoursmallinvestmentoftime,space,andenergy.Simplystartanothertray,changeanyvariablesthatyoususpectarehinderingthegerminationandgrowth,andseewhathappens.

2.WhatifmygerminatingseedsarestickingtothepapertowelwhenIpullitoff?

Waitingforyourfirstseedstogerminateandgrowintomicrogreenscanbequiteexciting.Ifcuriositygetsthebestofyouandyoubegintakingoffthepapertoweltoosoon,simplystopandlayitbackdown.Feelfreetopeekatyourseeds’progresswithoutcompletelyremovingthepapertowel.Youwillknowthatyouhavetakenitoffprematurelyifmostofthegerminatingseedsandtheirfuzzyrootsarestickingtothetowelasyoupullitfromthesoil.Givetheseedsanotherday,checkinginthecornertoseeiftheyhaverooted.Agoodsigntowatchforisthepapertowelliftingoffthesoil.Thisshowsthattheseedlingsarepushingupthetowelandarereadytoseethelightandopentheirfirstleaves.Ifyouwaittoolongtoremovethetowel,yourseedlingswillbeatagreatdisadvantage.Theywillbecometallandweedy,makingthemmoresusceptibletorottingandmatting.Gettingyourtimingdownmaytakeacoupleofcycles,butitwillsoonbecomesecondnature.

3.WhatifIseemoldwhenpullingupmytowel?

Youmaynoticeawhitefuzzaroundtherootsofyourseedlingsdependingonwhenyouremoveyourtowel.Itiseasytomistakethisformold.Restassureditispartofthenaturalprocessofgerminationandgrowth.Oncethetrayiswatered,thewhitefuzzwilldisappear.However,inpoorconditions,moldcanoccur.Ifyouareexperiencingcold,dank,dampweatherforlongperiodsoftime,yourgerminatingseedswillsuffer.Youwillnoticeadistinctdifferencebetweenthewhitefuzzyrootsandthemold.Whilethefuzzislightandsurroundstherootarea,youmaynoticethedarkermoldcoveringbaresoilorsurroundingtheseeds.Warmweathercropssuchasbasilandcilantrowillbemoresusceptibletomold.Cropsthatneedalongergerminationperiodandhavetowithstandthepreviouslynamedconditionswillalsobevulnerable.Controlyourenvironmenttoavoidtheoccurrenceofmold.Whilegerminating,useheatmatsifnecessaryormoveyourgreenstoawarmerarea.Onceyouspotmoldinthetray,uncoveryourseeds,waterthemlightly,andprovideanenvironmentwithmorelightandaircirculation.

4.Whatiftheseedscomeupthicklyinsomeandsparselyinothers?

Therewillbetimeswhenthetrayofmicrogreensyouaregrowinglookslikeperfectlyeven,thicklawn.However,youmayoccasionallyfindthatyourtrayshaveunevengerminationand/orgrowth.Thereareafewfactorsatplayhere.Themostobviousishowevenlyyouaresowing.Slowingdownandfocusingonspreadingtheseedevenlyisimportantforevengermination.Practicemakesperfect.

Anothercauseofunevengerminationandgrowthcouldbethequalityofthesoilorhowwellithasbeenmixed.Whilemostofthepottingsoilsthatwehavetriedhaveshowngoodresults,therehavebeenacoupleoftypesthathaveseemedtohindergerminationofcertainseeds.Thisfactormaytakesomeexperimentationtoresolve,sotrydifferentsoilstofindagoodmatch.

Wherethetrayisgerminatingmayalsoplayarole.Ifonepartofthetrayisindirectsunlightandtheotherhalfisindappledshade,youwillnoticethecorollarygerminationandgrowth.Whengerminatingyourseeds,findaspotintheshade.Findaplaceforyourgrowinggreenswithanevenamountofsunand/orrotatethetraysifnecessary.

Lastly,theseeditselfmightaffectgrowth.Wehavenoticedwithcertainbatchesofseedwhatwecall“wavegermination.”Inthisphenomenon,seedsgerminate

atdifferenttimes,makingforanuneventray.Unevengerminationandgrowthisusuallymoreofanaestheticissuethanitisarealproblemforthehomegrower.

5.Whatifmygreensstarttorot?

Therearetwomainreasonswhyrotcanbecomeaproblem.Thefirstisthatyourgreenshavetoomuchmoisturewithtoolittlesunlight.Intheheatofthesummerweusuallywateronceearlyinthemorningandthenagainintheevening.Thisworkswellwhenconditionsarehotandsunny.However,ifacoldfrontweretomoveinforafewdays,bringingcloudsandtemperaturesinthe60s,wateringthissamewaywouldquicklyresultinpatchesofrotsettingintoyourtrays.Withcooler,lesssunnyconditions,wateringonceinthemorningwouldsuffice.Problemswithbothover-andunderwateringareyourbestaccesstolearningwhateachcropprefers.Youhavetotaketimetonoticetheconditionsyourgreensthriveinandplaywiththevariables.

Anotherpossiblereasonforrotinyourtraysisthequalityofwaterthatyouareusing.Municipalwaterusuallycontainschlorine,whichplantshate.Thisiseasilyremediedwithmostdrinking-waterfilters.ThepHofyourwaterbeingexcessivelyhighorlowisanotherfactortobeawareof.Nutrientsthatwouldnormallybeaccessibletoyourgreensgetlockedupandbecomeunavailable.ThereisabitofarangeofpHpreferenceinthecommonmicrogreenvarieties,butmostlikeapHofaround6.5.Testingiseasyonceyouacquiretheproperequipment.ThepHmonitorsrangefromliquidsolutionstoportabledigitalunits.KeepingyourpHincheckcansolvemanyproblems.Notonlywillyounoticestrongergrowthandincreasedyields,butmostimportantly,youwillhavehealthierplantsthatarelesssusceptibletorotanddisease.

6.Whatifmytrayofsoilgetsacrackinit?

Youmaydiscoverthatyoursoilshiftswhentraysaremovedaround.Deepcrevassesmayoccurifthetraysaren’tcarriedwithevensupport.Althoughthismaylookalarming,yourseedswillgerminateasusual,andcrackswillnotaffectgrowthintraysthathavealreadygerminated.

7.Whatifmygreensaregettingtallandweedy?

Lightisalwaysthemainfactorwhenyoufindthatyourgreensaregettingweedy.Youwillnoticeadistinctdifferencebetweenhealthy,stoutgreensthataregettingadequatelightandthetallspindlygreensthatarereachingforanylightthattheycanfind.Thesegreensoftenbecomelighterincolorastheyfunnelalloftheiravailableenergyintoseekingoutthelight.Thisproblemiseasilysolvedbyeithernaturalsunlightorgrowlights.Makesureyouhavechosenanareathatgetsfulltopartialsunformostoftheday.Ifyoufindthatareasavailabletoyoudonothavelongenoughsunnyperiods,youcouldchoosetomoveyourtraysabout,followingthesun.Whilemovingoneortwotraysaroundduringthedaymightnotbemuchofabother,ifyouhavetomovetentrays,thiscouldprovequitetimeconsumingandwillincreasethechancesofdroppingtrays.Ifyoufindyourselfinthissituation,youmaychoosetoinvestigategrowlights.Resourcesforenergy-efficientmodelsareavailableinthebackofthebook.

8.Whatifmygreensareyellowingandstunted?

Greensbecomestuntedwhentheyarenotgivenenoughnutrientstothrive.Whengrowingtheminsoil,thetypeofsoilisthefirstthingtolookat.Somelesser-qualitysoilsdon’thavethediversityofnutrientsneededtosustaingrowth.Insteadofcontinuingtogrow,youwillfindthattheseedlingssimplyhalttheirgrowthandbegintoyellowandeventuallyrot.

WaterpHcanalsobeacontributingproblem.See“Whatifmygreensstarttorot?”forpHtips.

9.Whatiftheleavesofmygreenslookburnt?

Sometimesthestrengthofthesuncancauseburningoftheleaves.Thisdamageisirreversibleandweakenstheintegrityofthegreens.Leavesthathavebeenburntarelessaestheticallyappealing,andtheirlongevityafterharvestalsobecomescompromised.Sundamageiseasilyavoidedbyrelocatingyourgreenstopartialshadewhenthesunisverystrong.Avoidwateringintheheatoftheday,asthiscanalsocauseburning.Youmayfindmoredamageontheedgesofyourtraysbecausetheytendtodryoutsooner.Inthiscase,takeyourtimetocutaroundthesegreenstosalvageatleastpartofthetray.

10.Whatifmygreensbecomelimpafterharvesting?

Becauseofthedelicatenatureofmicrogreens,caremustbetakenwhenstoringthemafterharvest.Donotletyourharvestedgreenssitinopenair(especiallyintheheat)foranylengthoftime.Whenwashingyourgreens,besuretogetthemintoacoolwaterwashquicklytokeepthemfreshandvital.Sloppystoragecanalsoleadtolimpgreens.Besurethatthecontainerthatyouareusingtostoreyourgreens,whetheritbebagsorasealablecontainer,issealedtightly.Whentreatedandstoredproperly,greenscanlastuptoaweekormoreinyourrefrigerator.

RecommendedBooksandResourcesBuyLocal

Wealwaysrecommendcheckingtoseewhatyourlocalgardeningorhorticulturalstorehastoofferbeforelookingonlineandorderingfromfarawayplaces.Theconceptofbuyinglocalgoesbeyondfood;supportingyourlocaleconomyplaysanimportantroleinthesustainabilityofourcommunities.Youwillalsofindthatshopkeepersareoftenveryknowledgeableandcananswermanyofyourquestions.

Apprenticing

Wecannotsayenoughabouttheimportanceofhands-onexperiencewhenlearningthecraftoffarming.Openingatextbookonagriculturewillonlygetyousofar.Fortunately,thereareopportunitiesallovertheworldtoliveandworkwithexperiencedfarmers.Ifyouhaveanydesiretolearnthepracticalaspectsofworkingwiththeland,animals,andcrops,takethisopportunity!Thereareseveralextensivenetworksavailabletolinkyouwithyouridealsituation.Fromseason-longcommitmentstoflexibleopenings,apprenticeshipsareafantasticwaytodeepenyourunderstandingofthelandandwhateverspecificpassionyoumayhaveormaydevelop.

www.attra.ncat.org

www.wwoof.org

www.organicvolunteers.org

CommunitySupportedAgriculture

CSAsprovidecommunitiesandtheirlocalfarmersawaytocometogethertoformpartnerships.Alsoknownassubscriptionfarms,theyhavebeenpoppingupalloverthecountrysincethemid’80s.Althoughthereareendlessvariationsonthetheme,thebasicideaofaCSAisthatthefarmprovidesashareoftheharvesteachweektotheirshareholders.Thisusuallyamountstoaboxfilledwitha

varietyofwhateverisbeingproduced(i.e.,vegetables,fruit,dairy,meat,eggs,orbread).

Atthebeginningoftheseason,afarmerdetermineshowmanysharesheorshecanproduceeachweek.Familiesorindividualsthenpre-buytheseshares;pricingstructuresrangefrompayingfortheseason’sproduceinadvancetoflexiblepaymentplans.Thismodelsecuresthefarm’sincomeatthebeginningoftheseason,ensuringthatthecommunityhasaccesstolocalfarmgoods.

CSAsallowforpeopletoconnectwiththesourceoftheirfood.Theyalsoprovideagreatopportunityforchildrentolearnaboutwheretheirfoodcomesfrom.Theycanseetheirveggiesgrowing,meetthefarmanimals,andevenpicksomestrawberriesthemselves.Thisgivespeopleachancetoexperiencetheirproducethroughtheseasons,findingnewwaystocookwhateverisinabundanceandtoanticipatewhatiscominginthemonthsahead.Itisawonderfulwaytosupportyourlocalfarmerandeatseasonally.LooktoseeifthereareanyCSAsinyourareabycheckingoutwww.localharvest.org/csa.

ThePizzaFarm

ALivingDemonstration

ThePizzaFarmwascreatedtoeducateandentertain“cityfolk”ofallagesabouthowtheirfoodisgrown.ThePizzaFarmisa“living”demonstrationfarmthatconductsguidedtoursforschoolsandtourists,teachingthemaboutagriculturealongtheway.ThePizzaFarmiscircular(likeapizza)andisdividedintoeightpie-shaped“slices,”witheach“slice”growingorgrazingalltheingredientsneededtomakeafarm-freshpizza.GuestsatthePizzaFarmsee,touch,andlearnabouthowfarmersgrowwheatforthecrustandtomatoesforthesauce.Theyalsolearnaboutthedairycowsthatgivemilktomakecheeseandeventhepigsforpepperoni.Inauniqueandentertainingway,visitorstothePizzaFarmquicklyrealizetheycouldnotenjoytheirfavoritefoodwithoutthehelpofafarmer!Formoreinformation,visitwww.thepizzafarm.com.

(Informationcourtesyofwww.thepizzafarm.com.)

BooksandMagazines

Wehavefoundthisreadingmaterialtobeusefulandinspiring.Muchofitexpandsontopicsthatwehavetouchedoninthebook.

TheSmallFarmer’sJournaleditedbyLynnMiller—Whetheryouareinterestedinanyaspectoflifeonthesmallfarmorcuriousaboutdraftanimals,thismagazineisaphenomenalresource.

TheNewOrganicGrowerbyEliotColeman—Notonlyisthisbookanessentialreadforanyoneinterestedingrowingvegetables,buthisannotatedbibliographyisthebestthatwehavecomeacross.

FourSeasonHarvestbyEliotColeman

TheGardenPrimerbyBarbaraDamrosch

SoilandHealthbySirAlbertHoward

TheRodaleBookofCompostingbyDeborahL.Martin(editor),GraceGershuny(editor),andJerryMinnich(editor)

TeamingwithMicrobes:AGardener’sGuidetotheSoilFoodWebbyJeffLowenfelsandWayneLewis

TheWormBookbyLorenNancarrowandJanetHoganTaylor

CultureandHorticulture:APhilosophyofGardeningbyWolf-DieterStorl

TheOmnivore’sDilemmabyMichaelPollan

FeedingPeopleIsEasybyColinTudge

Packaging

Ifgrowingforthehome,anyairtightbagorcontainerwillwork.Ifyouaregrowingonalargerscale,findingbulkfood-gradebagsorclamshellscanbeusefulforkeepingyourcostsdown.

Uline,www.uline.com

GrowLights

Therearemanydifferenttypesofenergy-efficientmodelsonline.Aquickonlinesearchorvisittoyourlocalgardeningstorewillgiveyoualltheknowledgethat

youneed.

www.littlegreenhouse.com

KnifeSharpeners

Wehavefoundbothofthesekitstobeextremelyeffectiveatsharpeningknivesandscissors.Bothareavailableatwww.sharpeningsupplies.com.

DMTAlignerKit

LanskySharpeningSystem

SeedSources

Therearemanyseedsourcesatyourfingertips.Thesourcesthatwehavenamedhavegivenconsistentquality,quickshipping,andfriendlyservice.Allthreeofferbulkseed.

MountainValleySeedsinUtah:www.mvseeds.com,(801)486-0480

Johnny’sSelectedSeedsinMaine:www.johnnyseeds.com,(877)564-6697

KitazawaSeedsinCalifornia:www.kitazawaseed.com,(510)595-1188

Soil

Soilcanbeveryexpensiveandinefficienttoship.Looktoseewhatkindofqualitysoilsyouhavelocally.Ifyouaren’tabletogetanyofthesoilsthatwerecommend,trytofindonewithsimilaringredients.

FoxFarm(OceanForestBlend,HappyFrog)www.foxfarmfertilizer.com

PowerFloweravailableatwww.plantitearth.com

VermontCompostwww.vermontcompost.com

GrowingSupplies

Fortrays,lids,heatmats,andanythingelsethatyoumightneed,checkout:

Johnny’sSelectedSeedsinMainewww.johnnyseeds.com,(877)564-6697

SourcesIndividualCrops

Amaranth

www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/amaranth.html

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1990/v1-127.html#HISTORY%20AND%20TRADITIONAL%20USES

Arugula

www.gourmetsleuth.com/arugula.htm

http://greekfood.about.com/od/herbsspices/p/arugula.htm

Basil

www.herbsociety.org/basil/bhistory.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil

Beet

http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/beet2.html

http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/publications/vegetabletravelers/beets.html

Broccoli

http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/broc3.html

http://www.organicfood.com.au/Content_Common/pg-brocolli-facts.seo

Cabbage

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/753/

www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=19

Celery

http://www.foodreference.com/html/celery-history.html

http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/celery3.html

Chard

http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/swisschard2.html

http://growingtaste.com/vegetables/schard.shtml

Cilantro

www.soupsong.com/fcilantr.html

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=70

Cress

http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:46:2392652887563286::NO::module,source,akzanz,rehm,akzname,taxid:mf,botnam,0,,Lepidium%20sativum,23709

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/1492/neglected.html

Endive

http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/endive2.html

www.endive.com/cuisine_nutrition.cfm

Mustard

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=93

PacChoi,TokyoBekana

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_cabbage

http://www.hungrymonster.com/FoodFacts/Food_Facts.cfm?Phrase_vch=Herbs&fid=5908

Pea

http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/vege006/vege006.htm

Radish

http://food.oregonstate.edu/faq/uffva/radish2.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radish

Composting

CarbontoNitrogenChartInformation

http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/needs_carbon_nitrogen.htm

http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/1808/353.PDF

www.css.cornell.edu/compost/chemistry.html

Materials

SeedViabilityChartInformation

www.ext.colostate.edu/Pubs/Garden/07221.html

www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-316/426-316.html

www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1995/3-3-1995/seedv.html

HealthandMicrogreens

SourceofUnitedStateslosingover4.5millionfarmsinformation

http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/gardner.agriculture.us

SourceofPercentageofU.S.PopulationWorkingonFarmshttp://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Trends_in_U.S._Agriculture/images/farm_populationcharts.asp

SourceofPaulBergner’sBookInformationwww.soilandhealth.org/06clipfile/Nutritional%20Quality%20of%20Organically-Grown%20Food.html

Bergner,Paul.1997.TheHealingPowerofMinerals,SpecialNutrients,andTraceElements.PrimaPublishing,Rocklin,CA.312p.

SourcesofDIMandSulfuraphaneInformationwww.hopkinsmedicine.org/press/1997/SEPT/970903.HTMwww.dimfaq.com/index.htmhttp://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/i3c/http://www.rssl.com/OurServices/FoodENews/Newsletter.aspx?ENewsletterID=57#3

SourceofPennStateResearchInformationhttp://live.psu.edu/story/10981

Sourceof“Theaveragetimethatittakesourproducetogetfromthefieldsintoourhomeshasincreasedexponentiallyinthelastcenturyasourfarmshavebecomefewerandfartheraway.”www.kitchengardeners.org

Sourceof“Afterthewar,manyofthecompoundsthatwereusedintheproductionofbombsweretransformedintoagriculturalfertilizers.”http://www.michaelpollan.com/article.php?id=81www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe40s/crops_04.html

Sourceof“MollyKatzendescribedthisphenomenoninarecentinterviewwhenshetalkedabouttakingagroupofschoolkidsto‘ThePizzaFarm’innorthernCalifornia.”InterviewPodcasthttp://trashotron.com/agony/news/2008/01-07-08.htm#010708

MetricConversionChartTable11.1.MetricConversionChart

VolumeMeasurements WeightMeasurements TemperatureConversionU.S. Metric U.S. Metric U.S. Metric

1teaspoon 5ml 1/2ounce 15g 250 1201tablespoon 15ml 1ounce 30g 300 1501/4cup 60ml 3ounces 90g 325 1601/3cup 75ml 4ounces 115g 350 1801/2cup 125ml 8ounces 225g 375 1902/3cup 150ml 12ounces 350g 400 2003/4cup 175ml 1pound 450g 425 2201cup 250ml 2-1/4pounds 1kg 450 230