It’s the little things

late summer abundance

14 March 2022

Gardens are many things to many people. A north facing, easy to care for, abundant nutritionally dense soil is just not accessible for many. The work that goes with it can also be daunting.

Luckily there’s a way of growing nutritionally dense food right on your kitchen bench. No degree needed. no chance of sunburn of straining muscles either.

A few things are needed, namely - a container with drainage holes, a neutral growing medium and a few spoonfuls of untreated whole seeds. A seed is a powerhouse unto itself. In that little casing they contain all the energy, nutrition and knowledge to grow big & powerful. maybe we should take a leaf from their book.

From your local petfood and produce store, grab a brick of compressed coir - you’ll get change from a fiver. These are coconut husks that have been shredded, comporessed and will hold and incredible amount of water. Think weetbix crumbled into a bowl of milk. They also don’t have any nutrients of their own, but will hold enough water to support the seeds journey from hibernation to tasty micro greens.

Get hold of a strawberry (or the like punnet) fill to the rim with the soaked coir, press down and sprinkle sunflower or herb seeds over the surface. Press down. Cover very lightly with a little more soaked coir. Close the lid & don’t forget to write what the date of planting is. You’ve just created a micro greenhouse - yay! Check after a few days and then open once you see germination. Keep the surface damp until the sprouts have grown to around 5cm tall. Your crop is now ready to harvest and sprinkle over your meal to add a nutritionally dense colourful garnish.

For a comprehensive list of organic seeds to get growing, try GreenHarvest. Happy micro growing !