Microgreens varieties

What you need

• Red amaranth seeds — easily found in specialty stores or online.
• Growing trays — flat and shallow, with and without drainage holes.
• Growing medium — potting soil or coconut coir.
• Spray bottle or watering can.
• Natural light or an LED grow light — red amaranth needs plenty of light.

1. Prepare the tray — always clean it thoroughly with water and soap.
2. Add the growing medium — slightly moisten the soil before sowing.
3. Sow the seeds — spread them evenly. Unlike other varieties, red amaranth germinates best without being covered with soil.
4. Water gently — use a spray bottle to avoid disturbing the seeds.
5. Cover the tray — for the first few days, cover it with another tray to create a blackout effect.
6. Light — once the seeds have germinated, place the tray in a well-lit spot.
7. Consistent watering — keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
8. Harvest — ready in 2 to 3 weeks. Use scissors to cut just above the soil.

Red amaranth is not only tasty, it also adds a striking pop of colour to your dishes — good in salads, sandwiches, or as a garnish.

What you need

• Lettuce seeds — easily found in specialty stores or online.
• Growing trays — flat and shallow, with and without drainage holes.
• Growing medium — potting soil or coconut coir.
• Spray bottle or watering can.
• Natural light or an LED grow light — LED works well indoors.

1. Prepare the container — use a tray with good drainage. Wash it thoroughly with soap and water before you start.
2. Add the substrate — fill the tray with soil and moisten it.
3. Sow the seeds — spread them evenly over the soil. You do not need to cover them; just press gently for good contact with the substrate.
4. Water gently — use a spray bottle to keep the surface moist without displacing the seeds.
5. Light and location — place the tray in a well-lit area, or under grow lights if indoors.
6. Maintain moisture — water regularly, but avoid overwatering.
7. Harvest — usually between 1 and 3 weeks later. Use clean scissors and cut just above the soil line.

Easy, tasty and full of nutrients — the best first tray if you want a result within days.

What you need

• Broccoli seeds — preferably organic and labelled for sprouting or microgreens.
• Growing trays — flat and shallow, with and without drainage holes.
• Growing medium — potting soil or coconut coir.
• Spray bottle or watering can.
• Natural light or an LED grow light — broccoli microgreens need good lighting to develop their rich green colour.

1. Prepare the tray — wash it well with soap before using. Add an even layer of growing medium and lightly moisten it.
2. Sow the seeds — spread them evenly over the surface. There is no need to cover them; just press gently so they make good contact.
3. First watering — mist the seeds carefully to moisten them without moving them.
4. Darkness period — cover the tray with another inverted tray or an opaque lid for 2 or 3 days. This helps germination and makes the stems stronger.
5. Light and ventilation — when the first sprouts appear (around day 2 or 3), uncover the tray and give it good natural light or LED grow lights.
6. Daily watering — mist once or twice a day to keep the medium moist, but avoid excess water, which can cause mould. See our guide on how to prevent mould when growing microgreens.
7. Growth and colour — within a few days the stems straighten and the leaves turn deep green.
8. Harvest — between days 7 and 10. Cut just above the growing medium with clean scissors.

Broccoli microgreens carry a much higher concentration of nutrients and antioxidants than mature broccoli, including sulforaphane.

What you need

• Radish seeds — common varieties are red radish, daikon or watermelon radish.
• Growing trays — flat and shallow, with and without drainage holes.
• Growing medium — potting soil or coconut coir.
• Spray bottle or watering can.
• Natural light or an LED grow light — they grow stronger and more colourful with good lighting.

1. Prepare the tray — clean it thoroughly before using, with water and soap if necessary.
2. Add the growing medium — fill with an even layer of soil or coconut coir and moisten it.
3. Sow the seeds — spread them evenly over the surface. They do not need covering.
4. Initial watering — use a spray bottle to moisten gently without displacing the seeds.
5. Darkness period — cover the tray with another tray turned upside down, or a piece of opaque cardboard, for 2–3 days.
6. Light and ventilation — when the first sprouts appear (usually on the second day), uncover and give the tray good natural light or LED grow lights.
7. Keep it moist — mist once or twice a day so the substrate never dries out completely.
8. Harvest — in 7–10 days. Cut with clean scissors just above the soil.

Radish microgreens are visually striking with their red stems and green leaves, and they contain vitamins A, B, C, E and K plus calcium, iron, magnesium and antioxidants.