In this blog post, I will show you how to grow beet microgreens at home in 10 days without soil, using a simple and easy method. You will learn the benefits of growing microgreens without soil, the needed materials, and the steps to follow.
Do you love microgreens? These leafy vegetables are a great source of nutrients and offer an earthy taste to any dish. Also, they can add a fresh and vibrant touch to your food.
Microgreens are the young shoots of edible plants, such as kale, lettuce, radish, broccoli, and more. They are usually harvested within 7 to 21 days after seed germination when they are about 1 to 3 inches tall.
One of the most popular and easy-to-grow microgreens is beet. Beet microgreens have a sweet and earthy taste and are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They also have a beautiful green and red color that can brighten your plate.
You might think that growing microgreens requires a lot of space, soil, and equipment, but that’s not true. Using a simple and inexpensive method, you can grow microgreens at home without soil. You only need a tray, a biodegradable mat, some seeds, and water. You can grow microgreens all year round, even in winter, and harvest them in ten days.
By the end of this post, you can grow your beet microgreens at home and enjoy them in your salads, sandwiches, smoothies, or as a garnish.
Benefits of Growing Microgreens Without Soil
Growing microgreens without soil has many advantages over growing them with soil. Here are some of the benefits of growing microgreens without soil:
- Less mess: You don’t have to deal with dirt, dust, or bugs when you grow microgreens without soil. You also don’t have to worry about washing the microgreens before eating them, as they are clean and free of soil residues.
- Less water: You don’t have to water the microgreens as often as you would with soil, as the mat retains moisture and prevents evaporation. You also don’t have to drain the excess water from the tray, as the mat absorbs it and prevents waterlogging.
- Less space: You don’t need a large pot or a garden bed to grow microgreens without soil. You can use any shallow tray or container with drainage holes and place it on a windowsill, a countertop, or a shelf. You can also stack multiple trays on top of each other to save space and grow more microgreens.
- Year-round availability: You don’t have to depend on the weather or the season to grow microgreens without soil. You can grow microgreens indoors, in any climate, and at any time of the year. You can also control the microgreens’ temperature and light exposure and optimize their growth and quality.
Materials You Need to Grow Beet Microgreens Without Soil
To grow beet microgreens without soil, you will need the following materials:
- Beet microgreen seeds: Buy them online or from a store. Pick organic and non-GMO seeds. They are suitable for you and the earth. Use two spoons of seeds for a 10 x 10-inch tray.
- A tray or a container with holes: Use any tray or container that is not deep and has holes. For example, a plastic or metal tray, a baking pan, a seedling tray, or a food container. The tray or container should fit the mat and the seeds.
- A mat that can break down: Use any mat that can break down and is for growing microgreens. For example, a coconut coir mat, a hemp mat, a wood fiber mat, or a paper towel. The mat should be smaller than the tray or container. The mat should be thick enough to hold the seeds and the water. But not too thick to stop the air.
- Water or a nutrient solution: Use water or a nutrient solution to wet the mat and seeds. If you use a nutrient solution, follow the directions and mix it well. Too much nutrients can hurt the microgreens. Use 2 cups of water or nutrient solution for a 10 x 10-inch tray.
- A spray bottle: Use a spray bottle to spray the mat and the seeds with water or nutrient solution. Use any spray bottle that makes a fine mist. Fill it with water or a nutrient solution. Spray the mat and the seeds once or twice a day. It depends on how humid and warm it is.
- A pair of scissors or a sharp knife: Use a pair of scissors or a sharp knife to cut the microgreens. Use any scissors or knife that are clean and sharp. Cut the microgreens near the mat. Leave an inch of stem above the mat. Cut the microgreens when they are 1 to 3 inches tall. Usually, ten days after they start to grow.
Steps to Grow Beet Microgreens Without Soil
To grow beet microgreens without soil, you will need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Gather the materials needed
To grow beet microgreens without soil, you first need to gather all the necessary materials. You will require beet microgreen seeds, a container with drainage holes, a biodegradable growing mat, water or diluted nutrient solution, a spray bottle, scissors, or a sharp knife. You can purchase these materials online or from a nearby garden center.
Step 2: Place the growing mat in the tray and moisten it with water or the nutrient solution
The second step is to place the growing mat in the tray or container and moisten it with water or the nutrient solution. You can use any biodegradable mat designed for growing microgreens. Such as a coconut coir mat, a hemp mat, a wood fiber mat, or a paper towel.
The mat should be smaller than the tray or container to fit inside and leave some space for drainage. The mat should also be thick enough to hold the seeds and the water but not too thick to block the air circulation.
You can use plain water or a diluted nutrient solution to moisten the mat. Make sure to use filtered or distilled water, as tap water may contain chlorine or other chemicals that can harm the microgreens. If you use a nutrient solution, follow the instructions on the label and dilute it properly, as too many nutrients can burn the microgreens. You will need about 2 cups of water or nutrient solution for a 10 x 10-inch tray.
To moisten the mat, pour the water or the nutrient solution over the mat or soak the mat in a bowl of water or nutrient solution for a few minutes. Make sure to wet the mat evenly and thoroughly, but not too much, as the mat should be moist but not soggy. You can squeeze the excess water or nutrient solution from the mat and place it in the tray or container.
Step 3: Sprinkle the seeds evenly over the mat, making sure they are not overcrowded
The third step is to sprinkle the seeds evenly over the mat, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Use any beet microgreen seeds that are organic and non-GMO, as they are safer and healthier for you and the environment. You will need about 2 tablespoons of seeds for a 10 x 10-inch tray.
You can use your hands or a shaker to sprinkle the seeds. Make sure to spread the seeds evenly and thinly over the mat, leaving some space between them. You want to sow the seeds sparingly, as they will compete for space, light, and nutrients and reduce the microgreens’ quality and yield. You also want to sow the seeds sparingly, as they will save space and resources and produce fewer microgreens.
After sprinkling the seeds, gently press them into the mat or cover them with a thin layer to ensure good contact and germination. You can also spray the seeds with some water or nutrient solution to moisten them and activate germination.
Step 4: Cover the tray with another tray or a lid to create a dark and humid environment for germination
The fourth step is to cover the tray with another tray or a lid to create a dark and humid environment for germination. You can use any tray or lid that fits over the tray or container and blocks the light and the air. You can also use a plastic wrap, a newspaper, or a cloth to cover the tray or container.
Covering the tray creates a dark and humid environment for the seeds, which will stimulate the germination and the growth of the microgreens. The cover will also protect the seeds from dust, insects, and animals and prevent them from drying out.
You will need to place the tray in a warm and dry place, such as a kitchen counter or a shelf. You don’t need to place the tray in direct sunlight or under artificial light, as the seeds don’t need light at this stage.
Please check the tray daily and spray the mat and the seeds with water or nutrient solution to keep them moist. You will also need to monitor the temperature and humidity of the tray and adjust them if needed.
The ideal temperature for germination is between 18°C and 24°C, and humidity is between 60% and 80%. You can use a thermometer and a hygrometer to measure the tray’s temperature and humidity.
The seeds should sprout after 3 to 5 days and form tiny roots. You will see small white or pink bumps on the surface of the mat, which are the emerging roots. You will also see some green or red tips, which are the emerging shoots. These are the signs that the germination is successful and the microgreens are ready for the next step.
Step 5: Remove the cover from the tray and expose the sprouts to indirect sunlight or artificial light
The fifth step is to remove the cover from the tray and expose the sprouts to indirect sunlight or artificial light. You can use any source of light that is bright but not too hot, such as a windowsill, a fluorescent lamp, or an LED light. You don’t want to expose the sprouts to direct sunlight or a heat lamp, as they can burn or dry out the microgreens.
The purpose of exposing the sprouts to light is to stimulate the photosynthesis and the growth of the microgreens. The light will also enhance the microgreens’ color and flavor and make them more nutritious and delicious.
- You will need to place the tray in a place that receives at least 4 to 6 hours of light per day, preferably 8 to 10 hours.
- You will also need to rotate the tray every day to ensure even and uniform growth of the microgreens.
- Also, need to check the tray daily and spray the mat and the sprouts with water or nutrient solution to keep them moist.
- You will need to monitor the temperature and humidity of the tray and adjust them if needed.
- The ideal temperature for growth is between 18°C and 24°C, and the ideal humidity is between 60% and 80%.
After 5 to 7 days, the sprouts should grow into microgreens with colorful stems and true leaves. You will see that the microgreens have grown taller and thicker and have developed two or more leaves. You will also notice that the microgreens have a vibrant red and green color and a sweet and earthy smell. These are the signs that the microgreens are ready for harvest.
Step 6: Harvest the Beet microgreens
The sixth and final step is to harvest the microgreens, by cutting them with scissors or a sharp knife, leaving about an inch of stem above the mat. Use clean, sharp scissors or a knife to cut microgreens close to the mat, leaving an inch of stem. You don’t want to pull the microgreens from the mat, as they can damage the roots and the mat and reduce the shelf life of the microgreens.
You will need to harvest the beet microgreens when they are about 1 to 3 inches tall. Usually within 10 days after seed germination. You want to start quickly, as the microgreens will lose their flavor and nutrition and become bitter and tough. You also don’t want to harvest too early, as the microgreens will not have reached their full potential and quality.
Depending on your preference and consumption, you can harvest the microgreens in batches or all at once. You can harvest as much as you need and leave the rest to grow for another day or two. You can also harvest the whole tray and store the microgreens in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To store microgreens after harvesting, rinse, pat dry, and keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a week. If you freeze them, they can last up to a month but may lose some texture and earthy flavor. Enjoy in salads, sandwiches, smoothies, or as a garnish.
Conclusion
I have shown you how to grow beet microgreens at home in 10 days without soil, using a simple and easy method. You have learned the benefits of growing microgreens without soil, the needed materials, and the following simple steps. By following this method, you can grow your own beet microgreens at home and enjoy them in your dishes.
I hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave them in the comments section below. I would love to hear from you and answer your queries. Thank you for reading, and happy growing!
I am Gaushoul Agam
𝐂𝐨-𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 & 𝐂𝐄𝐎
ToAgriculture
I am an experienced Horticulture Officer in the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bangladesh. I am committed to improving agriculture and farming.
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