My first response to microgreens was: “Why would I spend my time growing 3-inch tall plants to eat?”
Then I thought about all of the tiny leafy green plants (beet, lettuce, kale, basil, etc.) I had eaten over the years in the process of growing transplants at home and in greenhouses. And it started to make more sense: why not plant seeds closely in a container to just grow baby plants?
Benefits: When you eat microgreens you are ingesting the cotyledons, stems, and small expanded true leaves of edible plants. Some reasons to give them a try:
- High in anti-oxidants and other health-promoting substances, like vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and lutein
- Can be grown year-round inside with strong natural light or inexpensive fluorescent tubes
- Great for kids at home and in school- sow seeds, watch them sprout and grow for 10-14 days, and eat!
- Wonderful assortment of colors, flavors, and textures
