For those of you who are looking for something easy and edible to plant in your garden or kitchen, look no further than microgreens! Microgreens are small, leafy vegetables that are fairly easy to grow for most home and backyard gardeners. They are grown from the same seeds as their full-sized counterparts, but the greens are harvested much earlier – earlier than baby greens, but later than you would harvest sprouts.
They really become popular because they are great for adding fresh flavors and color to culinary dishes. Like most vegetables, microgreens also have nutritious value to them. There are a lot of different varieties of microgreens to choose from, but I decided to share a few of my favorites. Here are 8 easy-to-grow edible microgreens you should definitely try growing in your own home garden.
1. Mustard Microgreens
This variety of microgreens has a horseradish-like taste with a spicy kick to it. Mustard microgreens are part of the Brassica family, and they are packed with nutrients as well as antioxidants. They typically only take about 7-8 days to grow. Want to know something else? They taste amazing in pesto.
2. Tatsoi Microgreens
They are known to have a similar taste to cabbage, except they have a sweet, mild flavor to them that is simply delicious. The common harvest time can be anywhere between 4-15 days, and their seeds are a little pricey, but they are definitely worth it. Tatsoi microgreens are great for sprinkling on salads and soups.
3. Daikon Radish Microgreens
This particular type of microgreens has a translucent, white base with vibrant green leafage. They have a spicy, peppery taste, and are high in both Vitamins A and C. The microgreens must be eaten immediately after they are harvested. They are fantastic when placed in sushi, wraps, and fresh spring rolls.
4. Purple Kohlrabi Microgreens
The mild, sweet flavor and beautiful purple-colored stems of this variety make it one of my top favorites. They can be harvested within 7-14 days. These microgreens are perfect for slaws and on sandwiches.
5. Green Kale Microgreens
Not a big fan of eating regular kale? Try green kale microgreens! They are milder, sweeter, and easier to chew, while having all the essential nutrients. Their harvest time is anywhere from 5-14 days. These microgreens are wonderful for making some nutritious, healthy, hearty salads.
6. Clover Microgreens
This mild microgreen has been said to contain a lot of nutrients for women due to their rich source of isoflavones, which are water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogens. They appear to be extremely similar to alfalfa, and you’ll smile when you see how green and gorgeous the leaves can get. They can be harvested usually within 4-15 days. Clover microgreens belong on almost any kind of wrap or salad.
7. Chia Microgreens
Chia seeds have a lot of nutrients. Well, so do chia microgreens! They are super easy to grow in 5-14 days, and can be added to smoothies, salads, and dips for an extra beneficial health-boost.
8. Arugula Microgreens
Arugula makes some of the best salads, and so do arugula microgreens. They have a mildly pepper-like flavor, and are pretty simple to grow within two weeks. They are great for more than just salads. Arugula microgreens can add color, flavor, and nutrients to almost all dishes.
As I mentioned above, these are not the only microgreens to choose from, but I do believe these are a great selection for people who are interested in attempting to grow them for the very first time. Most of these do not take long to grow, they are fully edible, and you can find seeds at most local gardening stores or seed libraries. Growing microgreens with your children is an easy way to educate and get children involved in gardening as well.
Stay tuned for more organic home gardening tips and ideas!
