How To Grow Microgreens At Home Without Soil
Video How to grow microgreens at home without soilby Bethany HayesMicrogreens is a popular, new horticultural trend that rapidly develops smaller, harvested seedlings in their second growth phase. It’s easy to grow them; You can learn how to grow microgreens without soil Read: how to grow microgreens at home without soilYes; Microorganisms can be grown without soil or grown hydroponically using two methods. Both ways have pros and cons. Using hydroponic gardening allows you to grow plants, including microgreens, without soil. Instead, gardeners use growing substances, such as rockwool, coco peat, perlite, sand, and other options.
4 reasons why you should grow hydroponic microgreens
Contents
Most people choose to grow microgreens with soil, so why would you use hydroponics instead? Here are some benefits to consider.
1. Year-round growth
Hydroponic gardening works well indoors, allowing you to grow probiotics year-round instead of depending on warm weather.
2. Maximize space
Use this route to grow microgreens that require less space so you can grow more in less space. These types of setups grow anywhere – basements, garages, shelves or anywhere you want!
3. Use less water
It seems contradictory that hydroponics requires less water, but you can reuse the water in your system. So, on average, growing without soil means you use 20% less water than growing in soil.
4. Easier with less mess
Overall, hydroponic gardening is easier with less mess. Some people use their countertops in the kitchen! Plus, since you don’t have to throw away your soil, there’s no need to keep an eye on dirt in your home, accidentally dropping it on your floor.
What you need to grow micro plants without soil
Before you start, you need to know what supplies are needed to grow microgreens. Growing microgreens using hydroponics means that you are growing them in a medium of aquatic origin. The only nutrients and oxygen received come from the water instead of the soil.
One of the first things you need to do is buy seeds to grow microgreens. There are different sources for these seeds but look for seeds specifically for microgreens to make sure it hasn’t been treated with pesticides.
Even if you don’t use soil, you need some kind of medium to hold the seeds in place as they germinate. Media are called growing media, and they provide support for your roots in a hydroponic system. There are many different possibilities to consider. Some options include: Read more: how to make your butt look bigger when wearing leggings Many people choose coir because it’s an inexpensive option. It must be prepared in advance. Usually that requires putting the coir in a bucket and adding water to the bucket. Stir and mix well, then wait an hour before pouring it out. Another option is vermiculite because it is affordable, made from natural minerals, lightweight and sterile. It is known for its ability to hold water. It is sometimes mixed with perlite to prevent the medium from becoming waterlogged. These clay pellets are fired into a kiln, expanding and becoming porous when exposed to water. These substances hold moisture well and provide plenty of air circulation for the roots of the seeds. You can also clean and use them over and over again. Another great option is a hemp planter mat. These are easier to use and less messy, but they cost more money.
You need a tray or two to grow microgreens. You can use any type of tray you may have around the house, but it should be about 1.5 to 2 inches deep and about 20 inches or more long. for hydroponic gardening as they do not have any holes.
At first, the seed needs to germinate, and at that point, you don’t need a light. After 4-5 days, you need to plant the lamp to start the process of photosynthesis. Consider buying LED grow lights or direct sunlight if you have south-facing windows
When you grow microgreens hydroponically, the pH range of the water affects the growth and health of your plants. It’s best to keep your water within the pH range of six, but you’ll need a pH test kit to make sure it’s in the proper range.
Remember that all nutrients come from the water, not the soil. You should use nutrients designed for hydroponic gardening. If you can find nutrients or fertilizers for hydroponic microgreens, that’s even better.
It is best to buy a new sprayer to use to water the plants. A used bottle may contain dangerous chemicals.
How to grow micro plants without soil
Now that you have the supplies you need to grow your microbial plants without soil, here are the next steps.
Since hydroponics revolves around water, the quality of the water you use is very important. Distilled water or rainwater is best; Tap water is usable, but you should leave it for 24 hours or boil it to remove the chlorine. Test your water using a pH kit and adjust accordingly. Add wood ash or lime to raise the pH, or use phosphoric acid to lower it. This is when you should add nutrients. Then fill up your spray bottle.
Read more: how to fix harsh light in a light room The first thing we have to do is prepare the potting medium. Coir needs to be prepared in advance, but whichever you choose to use, spread it evenly throughout the tray. It should be an inch deep evenly across the entire tray, requiring only one liner per tray; don’t double them up because they don’t look thick enough.
Now, look at the seed pack and read the instructions. Usually, you take two to three tablespoons of the seeds and spread them all over the tray and the medium. Spreading evenly throughout the tray means you make sure that there are no gaps or large lumps in one spot, which doesn’t take up too much space. It only takes a few weeks to harvest, so they don’t need tons of space to grow. You don’t need to place them too far apart like fully grown plants or even seedlings.
After spreading the seeds throughout the potting medium, keep it moist with a spray bottle. Cover the trays to keep the medium moist or keep them in a dark area.
It takes 3-4 days for the seeds to germinate if you keep them warm about 70℉. In those days, keep the tray dark and warm and make sure there is air circulation as mold grows without air flow. Make sure you keep the soil tray moist, spraying water every 12 hours or so. It is essential to use water with the pH created in step one. Within a few days, germination begins and the seeds sprout, it’s time to move on to the next step.
Now it’s time to place the trays under the grow lights. You don’t need to mist and spray the seeds anymore. Instead, don’t water the microgreens directly. Instead, pour a cup of water into the tray and after 10-20 minutes, remove the excess water from the tray. This method is called the dry and soak method, you have to do this continuously every day until the microparticles are harvested.
It takes up to two weeks after germination for microgreens to develop. Until that point, continuing with the drying and soaking method, you know it’s time to harvest when the first set of true leaves appear. It is the ideal time to harvest microgreens. Use a sharp pair of scissors and cut the micro-glass panels; You don’t want to cut the roots, just cut the branches, it’s best to use them the same day of harvest. Nutritional value and freshness begin to decrease each day after harvest.
Epilogue
Learning how to grow microgreens without soil is great for novice gardeners and microgreens newbies alike. It requires a small investment compared to gardening in the ground or growing microgreens in the ground. Give it a try and see if you like hydroponics. Read more: How to grow cabbage plants in pots
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