Growing Microgreens In Balcony -A Planting Guide

Growing Microgreens in Balcony

Hello gardeners, today we are here with a topic of growing microgreens in Balcony. The topic is all about growing microgreens in the balcony. In this article, we also discuss all the related topics and requirements for growing microgreens in Balcony.

Introduction to Growing Micro Greens in Balcony

Grow microgreens in your pots or any containers. They are perfect quick-growing plants for urban gardeners too, who don’t have much space. You can grow them even indoors on a windowsill or a balcony or other open space. Microgreens can grow either in soil or hydroponically that means in water but they need sunlight to survive well. You can harvest them after 1–3 weeks, depending on the type you choose. The following information may be useful for growing microgreens in Greenhouse, Polyhouse, Terrace, indoors, and Backyard.

A Step By Step Guide for Growing Micro Greens in Balcony

Like sprouts, microgreens are very easy to grow in your kitchen or beside a sunny window in your home, and even on your balcony. Unlike sprouts, microgreens are usually grown in soil. You can grow herbs, salad greens, vegetables, and even edible flowers as microgreens on your balcony. Some microgreens can be easily harvested in just a couple of weeks, whereas others may take a month to grow. If you are looking to add some nutrition or other earthy spice to your diet, microgreens are the best and great way to go. Now, let us get into the details of planting for growing microgreens in Balcony at your home.

What Are Microgreens?

Microgreens are so-called leafy greens, vegetables, and herbs that are harvested young when they are an inch or two inches. They are very nutritious and they can be picked very quickly. You can even let a few baby plants grow to harvest them at a mature age.

Advantages or Benefits in Growing Microgreens in Balcony

They will have the fastest harvest
They are superfoods
They require very less sunlight
They can be even used as soilless gardening that means hydroponically
They have micro-roots

Choosing Containers for Growing Microgreens in Balcony

Very shallow trays, bowls, seed pots, or you can use even if you have something else in your home that you want to reuse as a pot. A pot that you use must be 3 inches deep and as wide as possible. 3 inches deep pots or more will allow you to keep your microgreens fresh in case if you want to save some seedlings for transplanting.

Best Microgreens to Grow in Balcony

Like leafy greens, herbs, edible flowers, vegetables, there are so many other options to try. But the best microgreens are those which have a very intense flavour. They are listed below:

Herbs
Parsley
Cilantro (Coriander)
Dill
Basil
Chives
Leafy Greens
Lettuce
Cress
Fenugreek
Asian Greens
Spinach
Kale
Mustard
Rocket
Celery
Chard
Wasabi
Vegetables
Radish
Carrot
Beet
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Turnip
Peas
Cucumber
Fava Bean

The edible flowers and other best microgreens to grow are listed below:

Sunflower
Nasturtium
Pansy
Wheatgrass
Buckwheat
Chia
Flaxseed
Clover
Chickpeas

Choosing Seeds for Growing Microgreens in Balcony

Better to choose organic seeds. Since microgreens are harvested very early, all of the nutrients and any of the pesticides that will be on the seed will be highly concentrated. If your selected seeds are not organic, they can contain a higher amount of toxins than the regular greens. So, it is better always to purchase organic seeds for growing microgreens

Suitable Soil for Growing Microgreens in Balcony

You can use a seed starting mix or any soilless potting mix for growing microgreens; you can even prepare your own sterilized growing medium for growing microgreens in containers. Some people even grow them in coconut coir or even in peat.

In addition to that, you can even mix a small amount of manure or compost or any time-based fertilizer to that but makes sure that there was no fertilizer added already.

Suitable Location for Growing Microgreens in Balcony

Choose a spot that is partially sunny and very less windy. It is better to provide exposure to 5 hours of direct sun for a different flavour and vigorous growth. Minimum 3 hours of direct sunlight is very essential. If your baby plants are very leggy, inclining to a side, and pale green in appearance, they will need more sunlight.

However, microgreens can also survive in all-day-long bright and indirect light. You can keep them under grow lights or even under fluorescent lights for 6-8 hours per day as well.

Temperature and Humidity for Growing Microgreens in Balcony

Most of the common Microgreens grow very well and best at room temperature range 21°C to 27°C and between 50 to 60% of humidity.

Average Length of Microgreens

Microgreens (microgreens) are a very tiny form of young edible greens produced from vegetables, herbs, or other plants. They range in size from 1 inch to 1 ½ inch long, including their stem and leaves.

Planting Procedure of Microgreens in Balcony

Put the suitable soil in your container. You need to cover the container with two inches of soil, in a ratio of three-quarters of potting soil and one-quarter of coconut coir. Lightly pat down the soil to make a very flat seeding surface but without compressing it too much.

Look at the instructions and directions on the seed packet. The seed packet will give you specific instructions for propagating the microgreens, such as how deep to plant the seed in a container and the time to maturation. If there are any specific tips or instructions for the type of microgreen, you need to follow them.

Sprinkle the seeds over the surface of the soil in a container. Pick a handful of seeds in one hand. Then place your hand palm upwards, at a slight angle facing the surface of the soil. You can use your thumb, index, and middle finger to gradually spread the seeds as they fall on the soil from your hand. Try to spread all the seeds very evenly.

If you are willing to grow small seeds, you should aim for a ratio of ten seeds per square inch.

If you are willing to grow large seeds, you should aim for a ratio of five seeds per square inch.

Then add a thin layer of soil or vermiculite. If you have any vermiculite, you need to use it instead of the soil. Vermiculite is a mineral that is used for better seed propagation. After applying the thin layer of soil or vermiculite, you need to still be able to see some of the seeds. You don’t need to bury them completely.

Spray the seeds with a help of a mister. You should mist your microgreens once per day. If you are not sure whether they need water, then stick your finger a half-inch into the soil. If the soil feels dry, then they need to be watered. If the soil is damp, the seeds will be very happy. If the soil is extremely wet or marshy, you may be drowning your microgreens.

Cover the microgreens to create a very small greenhouse. If you are using a propagation tray, then you can simply place another tray on top of the one you are using. If you are using a takeout or any other container, you can cover it with a help of a plastic bag. Be sure that you put a few holes in the plastic bag so that the seeds will not suffocate.

Wait for your seeds to germinate or sprout out. It will take nearly about a week for the seeds to germinate out. A couple of days after germination, you need to take off the cover to expose the seeds to more light. After that let them grow for two to four weeks before harvesting, depending on the type or variety of microgreen.

GrowING Microgreens without Soil

At the most basic and starting level, hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. That means your microgreens spend their lives in an aquatic-based environment. They will only receive their required things like nutrients and oxygen from water, instead of absorbing them from the soil.

That means few fertilizers need to be added to water to create a high nutrient-rich solution for your microgreen’s roots to absorb.

There are several different growing mediums, they are also known as substrates that you can use to provide support for your roots in a hydroponic growing system.

Some common growing mediums are listed below:

coconut coir
hemp mats
clay pebbles
vermiculite
Rockwool

Some hydroponic growing systems will not require a growing medium at all.

Water Requirements for Growing Microgreens in Balcony

You should just mist your greens once per day. If you are not sure when they need water, just stick or insert your finger a half-inch into the soil. If the soil feels to be dry, then they need to be watered. If the soil feels to be damp, then the seeds are happy. If the soil is extremely wet or marshy, you may be drowning your microgreens.

Common Pests of Microgreens

There may be a chance of attacking small pests like worms, bugs, caterpillars, flies, and even ants.

When and How to Harvest Micro Greens from your Balcony Garden

Microgreens usually will get ready between 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the different seed types. Harvest as soon as the set of actual and true leaves appears and they are nearly about 1 to 3 inches tall. Pick a scissor and snip off the greens just above the soil line. Don’t assume pr believe that new growth will appear from the very bottom. You can reuse the containers to start new seeds.

Cut the base of the microgreens with the help of kitchen scissors. You know they’re able to harvest once they are one to 3 inches tall. At harvest, cut the bottom of the microgreens, just above the soil. Since they’re tiny and grow approximately, you ought to be ready to cut an entire bunch directly. One or two clippings will be enough for a salad or sandwich.

It will take nearly two to four weeks for your microgreens to mature.

Wash the microgreens. You’ll wash your microgreens underwater. Dry them during a salad spinner or with a clean towel.

In case if you miss this: Growing Fruits In Shade.

Commonly Asked Questions about Growing Microgreens in Balcony

What types of plants can be grown as microgreens?

Popular plants grown as microgreens are listed here: mustard, kale, endive, arugula, beet greens, Tatsoi, radish greens, watercress, Mizuna, peas, cabbage, basil, lettuce (any), and even spinach. One mix of special and different microgreens seeds includes flavorful arugula, ultra-nutritious broccoli, and even mild red chard.

Do microgreens regrow even after cutting?

While not all kinds of microgreens regrow after harvesting, many do and truly are often cut several times. Pea shoots tend to regrow after harvesting. to extend your chances of regrowing shoots after they have been harvested, confirm to chop them just above rock bottom leaf.

Can microgreens be grown even without soil?

Microgreens are nutritionally dense and space-saving versions of common edible crops, which will easily be cultivated without soil in even the foremost primitive of windowsill gardens. Often confused with “sprouts,” microgreens only comprise the above-ground parts of the plant, instead of everything from root to shoot.

Do microgreens need full sun to survive well?

Microgreens are very pretty flexible, and they will grow very well on a sunny windowsill. For maximum growth, nearly 4-6 hours of sunshine a day is needed, but if you don’t have that available, a simple LED grow light will be enough supplement.

What happens if I don’t harvest microgreens?

The plant won’t be ready to overcome that sort of stress to grow back. that’s why microgreens don’t grow back after you harvest them. But not isolating the stem and leaves (leaving them growing within the tray) also will eventually cause them to possess an unprecedented amount of stress causing them to die.

Where it is better to grow microgreens in water or soil?

Some plants do better in soil and some in water that means hydroponics. Microgreens are a very hot topic in this debate since they are harvested so soon after germination. The initial growth process is very crucial; the best growth method is of the utmost importance. You should grow microgreens in soil, as opposed even to hydroponics.

How deep should soil be for growing microgreens?

The soil needs to be two inches deep for growing microgreens.

You can easily grow microgreens in flat trays, planting pots, egg containers—any type of thing will work, as long as you have at least two inches or 5 cm of soil depth to work with. Get the dirt that means the most traditional way to grow these little ones is, of course, in the soil—and it’s the best medium we recommend.

How do I know when microgreens are ready?

Microgreens will be ready to harvest usually two to three weeks after planting, by making them very quick plants for gardeners. Harvest when you see the first set of real leaves on them. Once leaves appear, snip off the microgreens just above the soil line. Then serve immediately for the best flavor.

How do I sterilize the soil for microgreens?

Sterilizing the soil

If you are using regular soil or compost bought from outside, you will probably want to sterilize it before using it to grow your microgreens. You can do this simply by baking it in an oven preheated to 82°C for 30 minutes.

How often do I water microgreens?

Water regularly; make sure that the seedlings don’t dry out. Depending on your soil mixture and light, you need to water every day or so. You can even use a sprayer or a watering can. Microgreens are very fragile, yet resilient.

What type of growing medium is best for microgreens?

We usually recommend a soilless mix as that is the best growing medium for microgreens because any potting mix that will include compost or soil that will increase the risk of soilborne disease. For this main reason, the best soil for microgreens is not soil at all.

Do microgreens need fertilizer to grow?

Microgreens don’t need any fertilizer or compost additives, but they do grow very faster, deeper color, and larger cotyledons and leaves when fertilized. Smaller seeds have very little internal energy and nutrients than large seeds and they rely more on nutrients in their growing mediums such as water or hydroponic.