Soilless microgreens

Growing microgreens without soil may be easier than you think.

You will need a few basic supplies to start growing hydroponic microgreens at home, this includes trays, a spray bottle, nutrients, PH meter or PH test kit, growing medium, lights and of course microgreen seeds.

What Are Hydroponic Microgreens?

Hydroponics is a way of growing plants without soil. Instead of absorbing nutrients from the soil your microgreens will only receive nutrients and oxygen from the water you provide.

Hydroponic growing mediums suitable for microgreens include:

Perlite, vermiculite, coconut coir, LECA clay pebbles and rockwool. You also have the option of not using a media at all.

Why would you grow microgreens hydroponically?

• You have more control over parameters
• There's no messy composting to deal with
• Some cultivars grow better without soil
• It uses a lot less water!

Most information suggests that microgreens get the needed nutrients from the seed and don’t need extra nutrients added to the water.

Although microgreens can grow hydroponically without adding any nutrients to your water, adding nutrients to your water will make a big difference.

Step By Step

• Balance and prepare your water to a PH of 5.5 to 6.5
• Soak your grow media or mat
• Add your seeds and mist them
• Cover your seeds to block out light
• Growing depending on the variety should start around day 2-5
• Remove cover and put seeds under lighting.
• Harvesting depending on the variety at around day 6 to day 12
• Rinse and dry your microgreens then store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them. Again depending on the variety they can be stored in your refrigerator for up to 2 weeks before using them.

TIP: Try to maximize your vertical space by using racks.