Microgreens are trending right now for good reason. They are incredibly healthy and easy to grow. Whether you're a newbie to this latest gardening fad or an old hand at microgreens, we are sure you will love learning how to grow buckwheat microgreens. They are a basic plant that is robust, easy to care for and absolutely delicious!
All microgreens have health benefits, but buckwheat microgreens are possibly the most nutritious on the market. They're full of protein, vitamins B, C, and K, and fiber. They also have such great anti-inflammatory properties that scientific studies have been conducted of their benefits. Perhaps the best nutritional benefit of this plant, however, is that it is gluten-free, which makes this "cereal" microgreen a great meal for those with allergies.
We're going to grow buckwheat microgreens until the two green cotyledons on pink stems unfold. When the plants are this young they are tender and easy to chew, which makes them perfect for salads and smoothies. Surprisingly, you'll find that they have a mild, tangy taste with a little citrus. After a week or two of growing, you can create all kinds of dishes with these healthy plants!
Good products for growing buckwheat microgreens:
Buckwheat Microgreens Quick Facts
| Taste: | Mild, spicy, citric |
| Soaking: | 12-24 hours |
| Rinse / Drain: | Yes |
| Germination: | 2-4 days |
| Ideal harvest: | 7-14 days |
Growing buckwheat microgreens
Buckwheat microgreens are pretty easy to learn to grow, so all of these materials can be used later on your microgreen journey. Think of this as a starter kit for your little green garden.
materials
Buckwheat seeds germinate best when their hull is still intact. So you should get something to plant on. If you only have peeled seeds, they will grow, but nowhere near as well. Organic seeds are a great way to start these plants (they are actually very inexpensive).
The growth medium for all microgreens should be fine-grained and free of debris. This allows the seeds and sprouts to easily navigate their surroundings. While some microgreens grow easily in a variety of growing media, such as hydroponics, buckwheat microgreens do their best job in potting soil.
Buckwheat microgreens (and most others) prefer a grow light to the actual sun. We want the microgreens to grow in an even, dense mat, so the sunlight needs to be evenly distributed. If the buckwheat microgreens were placed on a sunny windowsill, they would lean towards the sun and grow unevenly. Hanging a grow lamp directly over it will keep the buckwheat tray nice and even.
soaking
The black, pyramidal buckwheat seeds have a tough shell, so soaking them definitely benefits germination. Put the seeds in a bowl of cold water and let sit for 12-24 hours. Then rinse it well and it hits the floor!
plants
Planting buckwheat microgreens is pretty standard, so this step-by-step method can be used with other microgreens that you might want to learn about. First, grasp the tray with drain holes and fill it ¾ of the way with seed starting soil. Pour some water over it and press the surface evenly.
Next, take your soaked buckwheat seeds and sprinkle them tightly over the surface. We want to grow buckwheat microgreens like a little piece of grass. So try to put the seeds close together without overlapping them. Pound the seeds so that they stay in the bowl.
Use your spray bottle to water the seeds. Then, instead of covering the seeds with soil, place a second growing tray right on top. This tray blocks all sunlight so the buckwheat seeds can germinate. Place a small weight on the tray to hold it in place. When they sprout, the buckwheat plants slide up the tray. These plants are stronger than you think – they can lift up to 5 pounds!
Growing
It takes 2-4 days for the buckwheat plant to germinate. During this time, keep the cover and weight in place, only lifting to check for moisture. When the soil starts to dry out, spray it well (keep your head up, you can fog up once or twice a day).
When the little buckwheat microgreens push the cover up, remove it and turn on the grow light. The early sprouts may be light yellow due to a lack of sunlight, but they will quickly turn a healthy green in the light.
It will take another 5-10 days for the grown plants to be ready for harvest. In the meantime, you need to keep the soil moist. However, because the buckwheat microgreens are sprouted, they are susceptible to mold and bacteria. Too much moisture and water invite this unpleasant growth, so we need to keep the soil surface as dry as possible.
To keep the greenery dry and the soil moist, we water from below. Take the tray you used as a cover and fill it with an inch or two of water. Then adjust the growth tray so that the water is drawn in through the drainage holes. Let the tray soak there for 5-10 minutes before removing it. Repeat this process as often as necessary.
harvest
In just a week or two of planting, you will have grown enough buckwheat greens for a delicious, inexpensive meal. Now we just have to harvest them!
Each microgreen is ready to be harvested when its two cotyledons have unfolded and they are 2 to 4 inches tall. We want to harvest right in this window as taste, texture and nutrients come first. As soon as the first real leaves grow, the plant becomes tough, bitter, and varies in its health benefits.
Some of the leaves may have a seed coat. Remove them by brushing the palm of your hand over the small garden you created.
Finally, you can grab your scissors and start cutting. Cut each stem just above the ground. You can harvest some of the grown buckwheat microgreens and save the rest for later. Be aware, however, that if they are exactly suitable for eating, there will be little time available.
storage
To keep them fresh, don't wash the microgreens until you're ready to use them. Seal your harvest in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator. To keep them fresher longer, fold a paper towel inside the container to absorb moisture.
Like most products, buckwheat microgreens taste best when consumed right away. However, if properly stored, they will stay fresh for a few days.
You can add these organic greens to virtually any meal. Whether you prefer salads, sandwiches, stir-fries or a gluten-free side dish, the fresh taste and health benefits are optimal!
frequently asked Questions
Q: are buckwheat microgreens good for you?
A: Definitely! When you grow buckwheat microgreens, the sprouts get all of their nutrients directly from the seed. Mature plants, on the other hand, depend on the garden soil for their health, which can easily be a poor source.
Q: what is buckwheat salad?
A: This is a nickname for buckwheat microgreens, thanks to their full and tender leaves. Try them out and you will find that these organic, gluten-free plants have similar health benefits, but are a lot more fun than your daily salad.
The green fingers behind this article:
