Looking for a super fun hobby?? Growing microgreens on your own in your own space would be great!!
Isn’t it a great idea to grow your own nutrient rich food at your own space with a minimum budget?
Growing radish microgreens would be perhaps a better idea for the first time growers as they are easy to grow.
Here are some tips and tricks to grow your own radish microgreens.
Radish microgreens:
The young radish greens are full of nutrients. They don’t taste like fully grown radish leaves but they taste mostly like radish bulbs. They add a crunchy and spicy flavour to your recipes. The radish microgreens go well with veggie burgers, salads, avocado toast, sandwiches etc.
Radish microgreen nutrients:
Radish microgreens are an excellent source of calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus.
They have antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Radish microgreens contain vitamin C and are low in calories which helps in reducing weight.
Radish microgreens are helpful in managing Alzhiemer’s disease and diabetes.
Growing Radish Microgreens:
Radish microgreens can be grown on soil or hydroponically. The radish microgreens usually grow faster and will be ready for the harvest within 8 to 10 days.
List of requirements:
- Seeds
- Grow lights
- Growing trays/ Containers
- Soil/ Growing medium
- Water
- Knife/ Scissors
Steps to be followed to grow Radish Microgreens:
Step 1:
It is better to pre-soak the radish seeds for about 8 hours before planting. It is also not mandatory to always soak the seeds.
Step 2:
Sanitize the grow tray that you are going to use for the radish microgreen plantation. If the trays are being used for any previous plantation, sanitizing is the must as the contents remaining in the tray may interfere with the new plantation. It is suggested to sanitize the seeds prior to plantation by soaking them in vinegar and food grade hydrogen peroxide mixed in water.
Step 3:
The pH of the water used to grow radish microgreens should be between 5.6 to 6.2, an ideal pH for radish microgreens. pH can be altered by using baking soda and lemon juice.
Step 4:
Add a potting mix in a growing tray. Make sure that the tray contains holes through which the water can be absorbed from another tray filled with water that is kept below it.
Step 5:
Sprinkle some water on top of the potting mix and let it sit for some time and absorb moisture and it is better to level the surface.
Step 6:
Transfer the radish seeds in a shaker and start sprinkling the seeds on the potting mix as evenly as possible. Make sure that you don’t dump too many seeds as it may be suffocating for the microgreens to grow easily. Using a spray bottle, add some water to moisten the seeds.
Step 7:
Place the grow tray on a water tray in which the water is filled. Make sure to check the water regularly and fill it when required.
Step 8:
Let the seeds sit in the dark for 2 to 3 days for the process of germination. You can cover the seeds with a lid or you can place it in a dark room which is a black out period.
Step 9:
After 3 black out days, make sure that the young yellow tiny plants receive enough light. You can make use of grow lights or LED lights if there is no sufficient sunlight. Once the plants receive enough light they start turning green.
Step 10:
Within 8 to 10 days the radish microgreens will be 2 to 3 inch tall and will be ready for the harvest.
Scissors or a knife are best for harvesting. Trim the radish microgreens just above the soil level. Make sure to trim only the required amount and replace under the light to grow more.
Step 11:
Always wash the microgreens after harvesting. Rinse the greens with cold water and pat dry using a paper towel. Dry them thoroughly if they are going to be stored. Store in an airtight container.
Tips:
- Always make sure that you use the best quality seeds.
- Watering has to be done regularly
- It is better to grow radish microgreens in cold weather.
Conclusion:
We hope you find this article useful and try your hands out with growing your own radish microgreens. We have tried to gather as much information as possible about radish microgreen nutrients, flavours and grow guides.
Check out our recent blog on Five Best Microgreens Recipes
