Do you remember chia pets? It was these animal planters that "fur" grew with the growth of the chia plants. Well, this cute little fad was actually a method for growing microgreens, even if it was a little unconventional. It turns out that chia microgreens are very easy to grow and even better to eat. So let's put the chia planter aside and grow chia microgreens as a crop!
You will be amazed by the health benefits of chia seeds. You have three times the amount of calcium in cow's milk. They're also a great source of protein, fiber, and iron. Perhaps they are best known for the amazing amount of omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial for cardiovascular and mental health. The American diet is largely deprived of omega-3s, so this is a great plant to start growing.
If you look online you will find that most of the guides are for chia seed germination. In this article, however, we will focus on growing actual microgreens. The difference is that microgreens grow in the soil in sunlight and can grow larger than sprouts. As a result, the harvest is significantly larger and contains chlorophyll – the overhealthy nutrient that turns plants green.
If you haven't already, you should brush up on the benefits of growing microgreens here. Let's start this exciting indoor gardening journey now!
Good Products for Growing Chia Microgreens:
Chia Microgreens Short Info
Chia seeds are very small and should not be soaked in advance. Source: philipp.alexander.ernst
| Taste: | Tangy, slightly bitter |
| Soaking: | No |
| Rinse / Drain: | No |
| Germination: | 4-7 days |
| Ideal harvest: | 10-20 days |
Growing chia microgreens
Chia microgreens are tangy and have a satisfying crunch. Source: MikeAncient
The entire process from soaking to harvest is remarkably short. Your tiny seeds will grow into healthy plants in just 1-2 weeks!
materials
Before you go shopping, think about how much harvest you want. The chia microgreens are packed tightly so the size of your tray will determine the yield. Chia seeds are tiny, so 1 tablespoon should cover about 50 square inches.
It is important for your growing medium that it contains only fine grains, not large chunks of material. The chia microgreens will be so small that it will be difficult for them to navigate uneven terrain. The seed starting floor is designed for this. Coconut-coconut is also a great choice as it has the added benefit of great drainage.
You can use practically any grow light for artificial sunlight in your indoor garden. We have achieved the best results with LEDs. Note that if the light is uneven on one side, the microgreens can grow in that direction.
soaking
Usually when we grow microgreens, we pull in the seeds first. However, chia seeds absorb water so quickly that they turn into gelatinous goosebumps that are unnecessarily difficult to plant. Skip this step if you are growing micro chia greens.
plants
A close up of dry chia seeds. Source: Stacy Spensley
This part is very important as planting microgreens has nothing to do with a typical garden planting. The first step is to pour some water into the bottom of the growing tray. Then fill in the soil just below the top of the tray. It absorbs the water from the bottom up.
Take your seeds and distribute them evenly on the tray, taking up as much space as possible without overlapping them. The seeds do not need to be covered with soil. Instead, take your spray bottle and spray it well with water.
Keeping the seeds in the dark is the tough love they need in order to germinate and form healthy roots. Put a second tray on top of the first to keep the seeds in the dark. For now, only remove this tray when you need to water the microgreens.
Growing
Taking care of your microgreens is just as important as planting them. It takes about 4-7 days for the seeds to sprout. In the meantime, keep spraying every day, just like the first time. Keep the cover open to keep the seeds out of direct sunlight.
After the seeds germinate and leaves grow, you can remove the cover and turn on the grow light. The plants may be discolored from the lack of chlorophyll, but the artificial sunlight will fix this quickly. Set your grow light on a timer that mimics day and night. Make sure you provide at least 12 hours of light every day.
Keep spraying the plants, but don't overdo it – there should never be pools of water on the bottom. Now your micro greens can reach their full potential!
harvest
Chia microgreens give dishes like these eggs a light, spicy note. Source: oarlocks
The leaves open in just 5-12 days. The microgreens should be around 1 to 3 inches tall by this point. You are ready to harvest!
Take your kitchen scissors and start snipping. Cut the microgreens in bunches just above the ground. It may be tempting to harvest the microgreens as needed, but we don't recommend them. As they ripen, the taste changes and gradually becomes bitter. Harvest them all at once for a consistent taste profile.
Plants can grow back after harvest, but the quality usually drops significantly. Keep growing by removing the old roots and planting more seeds in the tray.
storage
Now that they're harvested, you can eat or save your microgreens right away. Just before you eat, rinse them with cold water and place them on paper towels to air dry. Add them raw to almost anything from sandwiches to soups to salads.
Try to use the microgreens within the first 2-3 days after harvest. However, with the correct storage method, they should be stable for at least 5 days.
Chia microgreens store best when they are slightly dried out. Plan for this in advance and stop watering them a day before harvest. After harvesting, fold the microgreens in a dry paper towel and place them in a sealed bag in the refrigerator. Change the towel as needed as it will absorb moisture.
frequently asked Questions
Q: Which is healthier, sprouts or microgreens?
A: Both have great health benefits, but microgreens win the race. They have a higher amount of nutrients as well as chlorophyll that the sprouts lack.
Q: Are microgreens a superfood?
A: If you mean a lot of nutrients by superfood, then yes! Grow Chia Microgreens for an abundance of calcium, fiber, vitamins, and amino acids.
The green fingers behind this article:
