There's nothing more local than growing a jar of sprouts for salads this time of year. The sprout mix was purchased at Jung's. Jung's includes easy instructions on safely sprouting and storing their mixes. Those interested in starting micro-greens might want to use this mix, too.
The mix in the back is green snow peas (harvested from my own plants) and cabbage and kale seeds. I like fresh pea shoots, but haven't yet started working with trays, potting soil and such. I thought this might be an interesting experiment. If you try this on your own, please be sure the seed you use is free of inoculants and other chemical agents better off not ingested.
Happy growing... and eating! A couple pieces of thin-sliced ham, a handful of sprouts on oat bran bread, a dab of mayo.. It says Spring to me!
Showing posts with label microgreens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label microgreens. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Starting Seed

These irresistible seedlings would actually make a good microgreens mix.
They are the Jung's seed Triplet Hybrid Blend Cabbages.
There was very good germination. I used a seed starting tray with dome and heat mat. The soil is a blend of sandy loam, peat, and spaghum moss. The spaghum moss improves the aeration. The peat has natural anti-fungal properties, so I don't need to worry about any fungicidal drenches or damping off. Sandy loam is my native soil, so it gets tossed into my mix. I know where my soils have been versus buying something prepackaged. Even the peat is a local native soil, that I have sometimes seen packaged as Waupaca brand "topsoil" at Wal-Mart and sometimes Sears.
I fill my tray with my mixed soil. I plant my seed as per the directions. I go cell by cell and press the seed into the soil. It is important each seed make good contact with its germinating medium. I cover the seed as directed, and then carefully water. If the seed has something to it I use the sink sprayer. If not, I use a bottle mister.
I put the dome on and place it on the heat mat. If I am planting more than one seed in the tray, I pick plants that germinate in approximately the same length of time. When about 90% of the seeds are germinated, I remove from the mat, but leave the dome in place for a couple more days. Generally, I find seeds germinate more quickly and evenly on the mat than without.
After about 3 to 5 days I remove the dome lid. At that point, I need to keep a closer eye on watering.
When the cabbage have their first true leaves-- these are leaves 3 and 4, as you count, I prick them out and plant into their individual container. When pricking out, plant to the base of the true leaves.
I would recommend in zone 4, to start this cabbage variety between March 1 and March 15. Cabbage, because they are a member of the cole family, can be transplanted before the last frost date, provided they have been hardened off.
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