Knowing how to harvest microgreen seeds is a great way to save money, have access to fresh greens year-round, and even grow your own food. Microgreens are incredibly nutritious, packed with flavor, and easy to incorporate into any meal.
Whether you’re new to gardening or an experienced green thumb looking for ways to diversify your garden bounty, learning how to harvest microgreen seeds at home is a must. In this article, we will discuss the six expert methods of how to harvest microgreen seeds so that you can get started right away on growing your own delicious greens!
How to Harvest Microgreen Seeds Quick Guide
To harvest seeds for popular microgreens, there are specific techniques to follow depending on the type of microgreen you’re growing. For more details continue below.
- Arugula
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Sunflower
- Kale
- Chard
How to Harvest Microgreen Seeds Methods
Let’s explore these methods, following different techniques depending on the type of microgreen.
Arugula
To collect arugula seeds, dry the plant’s seed pods completely. In case the pods are not fully dry, the seeds will not come out easily. After the seed pods become dry, use either of the two methods to extract the seeds.
- One way to extract seeds from the pods is to use your hands to break them apart and then manually separate the seeds. Although this method can be effective, it may take some time and effort.
- An alternative technique is to put the dried seed pods inside a paper bag and shake them to extract the seeds. While it is quicker, there is a possibility that not all the seeds will be separated from the pods. It is recommended to manually remove any remaining seeds from the pods after using the paper bag method.
Broccoli
- To harvest broccoli seeds, wait for the plant to grow flowers and dry them out completely.
- Then, remove the seeds from the pods by hand or using a paper bag, just like with arugula seeds.
- With the harvested seeds, you can grow broccoli microgreens. Just keep in mind that this process requires patience.
Peas
- Peas and legumes for microgreens, harvest the pods after they have grown on the plant.
- Let them dry for a week or two until they are completely dry.
- Once completely dry, remove the peas from the pods.
- Plant the dry peas and harvest the microgreens two to four weeks after they have sprouted.
Sunflower
- In order to grow sunflower microgreens, wait for a mature sunflower to droop and its seeds to start falling off.
- Take the sunflower head and place it on some newspaper, then shake the seeds off with your thumb if necessary. You might need to let it dry for a few more days to ensure all the seeds are removed.
Kale
- Kale microgreens are the most vitamin-packed. To get the kale microgreens with the most vitamins, harvest them 10 days after they start to sprout.
- These microgreens have vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc, which makes them one of the healthiest microgreens.
Chard
- For the highest amount of nutrients, it’s recommended to harvest your chard microgreens 10 days after they’ve sprouted.
- If your chard hasn’t begun to spread its first leaves by day 10, don’t worry – you can wait an extra day or two.
- Chard microgreens are a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants that can provide various health benefits.
Common Questions About How to Harvest Microgreen Seeds
At what stage of growth should I harvest my microgreens for the best results?
Microgreens can be harvested during the sprout, microgreen, and baby green stages depending on the gardener’s desired outcome.
- Sprouts: Microgreens in the form of sprouts contain essential nutrients, enzymes, and high amounts of protein. They are also more easily digestible compared to mature microgreens. This is why some gardeners choose to harvest them at a young age.
- Microgreens: Most harvest microgreens because they contain almost 40 times more nutrition than their mature versions and a stronger taste.
- Baby greens: Compared to fully grown greens, baby greens as microgreens have higher nutritional value. They are tender and have a unique flavor and texture that some food enthusiasts may prefer over mature ones.
Can I harvest my own microgreen seeds?
To harvest microgreens, trim each stem above the soil line. Remember to only eat the stems and leaves, not the roots, as they will have a growing medium on them. This is different from sprouts.
To harvest the seedlings, wait for the cotyledons and sometimes the first pair of leaves to form. Then, use sharp scissors or a knife to cut the stems about a finger’s width above the substrate.
However, be cautious and only harvest as much as you need because microgreens can start to rot quickly if not used immediately.
Can you harvest microgreens more than once?
These plants are only meant to be grown once and can’t regenerate. As gardeners, we’re used to growing herbs and lettuce that can be harvested multiple times or tomato plants that give us new fruit even after we pick some. However, these plants don’t work that way and won’t produce more after they’re harvested.
How often should you water microgreens?
To ensure your microgreens survive, it’s crucial to keep their seeds moist. Whether you’re growing them in soil or a water tray, make sure to water them once a day or every other day. Check the soil daily to ensure it’s not drying out. If you’re using a water tray, it may keep the seeds moist for two or more days before you need to add more water.
Video How to Harvest Microgreen Seeds
Want to learn how to harvest microgreen seeds? In this video, you’ll show you the basics of harvesting microgreens and answer questions like: can you harvest them more than once? And how do you go about harvesting them at home? Learn all of this and more!
Final Thoughts
Harvesting microgreen seeds is a great way to ensure that you have fresh, flavorful greens all year round. Not only can you harvest the seeds from existing plants but also get multiple harvests from one plant over time.
Knowing how to harvest microgreens at home will help them last longer while maintaining their flavor and nutritional value. With some patience and practice, anyone can learn how to harvest microgreen seeds successfully!
