Only one thing can be compared to the peppery taste of nasturtium flowers: nasturtium microgreen! They may be less decorative, but these baby greens have a stronger flavor than the full-grown leaves. In addition, they are more nutritious and require much less work to grow. They are perfect for the lazy gardener looking to spice up their meals.
Microgreens are harvested for their cotyledons and delicate stems. Nasturtium seedlings (scientific name Tropaeolum majus) branch into two cotyledons before real leaves and flowers grow. Instead of the tiny, primitive leaves we see on other seedlings, these cotyledons are just like the mature leaves, but slightly smaller. However, these are still some of the largest microgreen leaves we've seen. They are light green, circular, slightly scalloped and have star-shaped, yellow veins. The thin stems underneath or either pinkish red or yellow.
All microgreens have health benefits and nasturtiums is no exception. With an abundance of vitamins including vitamin C, these greens are great for your immune system, weight loss, and even hair and skin health. They are often described as peppery, mustardy, and even wasabi-like. Nasturtiums can be added to salads or anything that needs a little seasoning. Some people even put them on or in sushi!
If you start growing nasturtium microgreens today, you will be eating in just 2-3 weeks. First, read our top tips for growing these flavorful salad spices.
Good products for growing nasturtium microgreens:
Nasturtium microgreens short info
Empress of India Nasturtium Microgreens
| Taste: | Pepper, mustard or wasabi flavor |
| Soaking: | 2-4 hours |
| Rinse / Drain: | Yes |
| Germination: | 4-7 days |
| Ideal harvest: | 14-16 days |
Growing nasturtium microgreens
Before we begin our micro-green journey, let's collect some materials. Everything you need to start sowing nasturtium seeds can be found here.
materials
There are over 50 types of nasturtium herbs, so you have plenty of choice. Dwarf strains are considered the best choice for growing microgreens, but you can choose any strain. They can vary a bit in taste, size, or speed, but you should get the same general results for dwarf, troll, and climber types.
Here is a quick list of some of our favorites:
Jewel Mix Nasturtium Microgreens Seeds
Nasturtiums don't sow well hydroponically, so soil is the best choice. You need a fine-grained mixture that will make it easier for the roots to grow. Soil nutrients are not a big problem here as the seedlings get them from the seed endosperm.
It sounds strange to use a grow light on plants that will be harvested after a few weeks, but it's definitely worth it. Microgreens are grown and chopped in a mat, so they need to grow densely and evenly. Hanging a light directly above the plants will keep the stems short and prevent them from leaning to one side. You can also control exactly how many hours of light they receive each day.
soaking
Nasturtium seeds are round, bumpy, and about the size of a bean. To help them germinate, soak them in warm water for 2-4 hours before planting. Make sure you rinse them well before you transfer them to the bottom from the bowl.
plants
Start your micro-green garden by filling the perforated drainage bowl ¾ with soil. Moisten the soil a little and press it down lightly. Then sow your pre-soaked nasturtium seeds over the entire surface. The seeds should be close together but not overlap. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil (this step is usually skipped for other microgreen plants).
Enter the soil surface one last time and press it down. Then cover them with the second bowl. This is when the darkening phase begins – when the seeds germinate in the dark. The cover should be kept in place for at least 2-3 days. Just remove it to check moisture levels and water with a spray bottle if necessary. The temperature should be warm (just above room temperature).
Growing
When the seeds have germinated, remove the cover and turn on your grow light. For best results, give the microgreens 16 hours of light every day. The stems and leaves may be pale at first, but when exposed to light they quickly turn green (or pink!).
Microgreens can grow in a short period of time, but they are very susceptible to bacterial growth. To avoid such problems, we water the sprouts only from below. After the blocking period, convert the cover into a bowl of water. Fill it with a few centimeters of water and put the garden tray inside. The soil is filled through the drainage holes. Make sure to remove the water bowl afterwards. This simple process protects your plants from excessive moisture which, when combined with warm temperatures, leads to plant diseases.
harvest
Whirlybird Nasturtium Microgreens
The last stage is here! In a little over two weeks after planting, your nasturtium microgreens should be ready. Now, most of the microgreens are harvested as soon as the cotyledons appear, but nasturtiums don't. Because nasturtium leaves retain their flavor as they ripen, we can let the plants grow a few leaves before harvest. As long as a leaf or two remains on each plant, your nasturtium microgreens should grow back after harvest.
Let each plant grow up to 4 leaves. More than that, and the plant may start drawing nutrients from the soil instead of the seed. Of course, you can keep the plant growing, but you'll need to transplant it into a larger container and start using fertilizer. It takes more work, but you will get some edible flowers out of it.
But let's stay with our microgreens for now. Take your scissors and pinch the tips of the nasturtiums, including some leaves. You can harvest as needed or all at once (but you want to get them all before they get too old). You can even try the nasturtium leaves as you go to decide exactly how intense you want the flavor to be.
Eat your nasturtium leaves raw or cook them very lightly (like spinach). You can use it to garnish salads or warm dishes, put in sushi, chop for vinaigrettes or soak in tea. These garden greens have quite a versatile flavor, so don't be afraid to get creative!
storage
As with all salad herbs, eat your nasturtium leaves when they are fresh. If you don't use them within a few hours, hold back on washing and seal them in a container. The chopped greens should be kept in the refrigerator this way for up to 5 days, especially if you add a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
frequently asked Questions
Q: are nasturtiums edible?
A: That's what they're famous for! From seed to flower, nasturtiums are a nutritious and delicious addition to salads and more.
Q: What is the best floor for microgreens?
A: Something fine-grained, like seed starting soil. The small particles make it easier to insert the sensitive roots.
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