3 reasons to start growing microgreens today

If you thought you needed a veg patch or lots of space outside to grow your own, think again. You can very quickly grow your very own microgreens all year round, even in the middle of winter. 

So, what are microgreens? They’re young vegetable seedlings, and popular ones include sprouting broccoli, rocket, and pea shoots.  

Growing your own microgreens is very satisfying, makes you feel closer to nature, and gives you fresh cooking inspiration, as they can be used in soups, stir-fries, salads, and more. 

Here are 3 great reasons to start your own indoor microgreens project today:

Microgreens are good for you

Microgreens are packed with nutrients which can supplement your diet throughout the year. Researchers have found that they can contain up to 40 times the nutrient density of their mature counterparts. Microgreens like broccoli are rich in magnesium and zinc, while pea shoots contain lots of vitamin C and folic acid.

They’re plastic free 

Some of the worst culprits for plastic waste are salad bags, which are not currently recyclable as they combine multiple different types of plastic. Growing your own microgreens reduces the need to buy salad and allows you to eat food exactly where it was grown, with 0 food miles.  

They’re flexible and fast 

You can very quickly expand your microgreen farm, re-using any old containers or bowls to create more growing space. You also won’t have to wait long for results, and can stagger different crops so that you always have something ready. Some seeds take as little as 5-7 days from when you’ve sown them to when they’re ready to eat. 

Want to get started? 

All you need to do is find a container and fill with around 4cm of compost (peat-free, or homemade is best), sprinkle in some seeds, and then cover them with a thin layer of compost, and water them thoroughly when the compost feels dry. If you want a kick-start, 

PlantEra is also selling Microgreen Starter Kits which include everything you need to get growing, including terracotta pots which can be re-used again and again. 

PlantEra is on a mission to help everyone reconnect with nature, through making growing in cities rewarding and fun.