Microgreens also known as microleaves are the small immature shoots of normal veg that are harvested when the first tiny leaves have just opened. They are used to garnish soups, salads, sandwiches, top fish and add colour & flavour to many other dishes.

Microleaves are used by top class chefs to add a touch of ‘je ne sais quoi’ as some leaves pack a punch with intense flavour like peppery radish or sweet basil and others like Swiss Chard add tiny colourful stems that brighten up the dinner plate. Raymond Blanc adds a little baby basil to finish off his Tomato soup and Jamie Oliver uses baby chives with a salmon recipe.

Can you buy ready to eat microgreens from supermarkets?

Microgreens are not available in supermarkets as they lose their flavour and freshness too quickly and so are at their best when picked and used straight away from your own kitchen. They are best sown and grown indoors (greenhouse is ok in summer) and are great in winter when fresh veg is scarce.

Microgreens are easy to grow, nearly as easy as germinating cress and the methods used are virtually the same.

1. You'll need 3 seed trays. Here's why;

• The bottom one will be used as a water container, so make sure that it has no holes in!
• The middle one will be used to sow the seeds and will need holes in
• The top one will be turned upside to blackout the light, so no holes
  
  2.Coconut Coir Growing Brick or compost
  3. Spray bottle (included in our Sow Microgreens Starter Kit)

Prepare your coconut coir (it's a 100% natural and biodegradable alternative to compost) or standard compost
Place the coconut coir-growing brick in a bucket or sink
Cover with approx 3 litres of lukewarm water
Leave for 25 - 30 minutes until all the water has been absorbed
Depending on the consistency you may have to add more water i.e. if looking lightly brown and feeling dry
Once all water is absorbed and the Coir has expanded, break up and aerate the Coir in the bucket and place into your seed tray

1. Using a spray bottle, wet the coir or compost
2. Broadcast the seeds thickly and evenly on the damp compost, press the seeds to ensure maximum contact
3. Lightly spray all the seeds
4. Place a seed tray on top of the seed tray to blackout all light and place somewhere warm for c.2 days until germinated, an airing cupboard would be ideal or you could use propagators
5. Check every 24 hours whether more water is required, if so gently spray/mist
6. After 2 days check for germination
7. Once germinated move into a bright location and check whether they need moisture - light brown soil suggest water is needed if so spray lightly
8. Fill the bottom tray with water and place the seed tray in this ‘bath’ this will allow the compost to soak up the water from below. If you add water from above you risk creating too damp an environment and fungus will set in
9. Check water requirement every day and add more water if required
10. The seeds will grow at different rates, some will start to germinate after 3 days but harvest shoots when about 2.5cm-5cm by cutting at the base with sharp scissors and use immediately. Sowing can take place all year round.

Ideal soil temperature is 24C until germination then reduced to 16°C. Optimal ambient temperatures are variety-specific, but 18–24C is generally a favourable range. Temperatures above 24C can increase disease/fungus and inhibit germination. 

Varies depending on the variety, growing conditions, and desired size at harvest. Fast-growing varieties are typically ready for harvest in 5-15 days while slow-growing varieties are ready in 16-25 days.

Most vegetable seeds make good Microgreens but do not use parsnip shoots as these are highly poisonous.

"I’m really enjoying all of the micro greens I’m growing.
Great variety of texture and flavour, and perfect for my winter lunchboxes!"
- Lesley (SowSeeds Microgreens Customer)