Have you ever planted a garden with 10×20 microgreen trays for growing vegetables? If not, you are probably looking at this picture and saying “What the heck are those?” The growth of micro greens on a plant can be incredible! You see, the microgreens have been coated with a growth inhibitor, which prevents them from growing back the first year.
This method allows you to control how fast and large your plant will grow and also saves you money by allowing you to pick when to plant. In other words, you can plant late in the year if you want. What’s more is that you can harvest the sprouts in time for lunch!
Now, I don’t want to sound like a Motherfucker (the kids at school are always pestering me to make those super easy vegetable trays), but some people claim microgreens taste like plastic. Well, I can assure you that they aren’t plastic. Microgreens taste much more like carrots. There are different levels of acidity, so check the label. Some days I’ll put a bunch of baby carrots in a pot of water with some acidophilus culture for a great tasting snack.
As for how do you plant the 10×20 microgreen trays? Well, there are a few tricks you can try. It all depends on the size of the container, and the type of plants you are growing. You can use small pots, larger pots, or a combination (so, don’t use a large amount of medium in a small container! ).
First thing you want to do is give the plants some room to breathe. This means making sure they have some sort of drainage system to remove excess moisture and water. Use a wire mesh bottom to help spread some soil. Don’t worry about it being dry though. Just take some time and let the soil dry between waterings.
When the plants get to about one inch, pinch the roots together to keep them nice and tight. They should now be pretty close to the top of the pot. That’s when you start tilling around the plants, pushing them up as you go. Just make sure you are tilling in a level and even way.
Here comes the fun part. Plant your seeds and spread some microgreens (about 2″ apart). When it starts getting cold (in the early spring) it’s time to move the plants to the warmer side of the box, and heat the bottom of the box a bit. You can also set the box in the sun for a short time if you have time.
When the colder weather comes back in the fall, just flip the plants over. They should be nice and warm by then. Now, enjoy your new mini plant growing medium! There are plenty of good 10×20 microgreen trays out there on sale right now. You’ll be able to find good deals if you search online.
When choosing trays, there are a few things to consider. First of all, make sure you get a tray with a removable inner liner. This will allow you to easily remove the outer cover and clean the inner surface of your plants without having to throw away the entire tray. Also, look at the size of the tray. If it is too large for your plant and root systems, it won’t be very effective. Find a tray that is a bit smaller, but still allows you to plant enough to give you a nice, even coverage.
Make sure the 10×20 microgreen trays you choose are FDA approved. The best choices are made by National Organic Products Association certified organic growers. They will have the proper certifications, and will meet all federal and state requirements. Also, these certified growers use only non-chemical growing methods. This means no fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, or chemicals. Look for real, natural looking green growths or plants and do not be fooled by fake, plastic growth systems.
Be sure the 10×20 microgreen trays you purchase have a non-slip coating on the bottom. This will prevent accidental spills from damaging your plant structure. Many trays have an inner layer of plastic which can cause damage over time. Non slip surfaces allow for better plant care and less potential damage.
Finally, make sure you purchase high quality pots. These pots will last longer and provide a higher degree of support for your plants. If you are new to vegetable gardening and haven’t had time to do any prep work, it is a good idea to start with a medium base. These pots will allow you to do some short term growing before moving up to the larger models. When you are ready to move up, there are plenty of options available.