Most people who grow their own vegetables, herbs, fruits and herbs will vouch for good quality soil as the best medium for growing microgreens. However, some will also use organic fertilizers and other soil enhancing products to boost the growth of their plants. The good news is that you do not need to give artificial fertilizers or soil additives to grow your microgreens. In fact, good quality soil will be your only foundation for planting the microgreens. However, before you start planting, there are some things that you should take into consideration.
When growing microgreens, one thing that you have to consider first is the soil condition. This means that you have to make sure that the soil has all the basic requirements for growing microgreens. The first thing that you should look into is whether the soil is rich in nutrients and the pH level is fine. The next thing that you should check on is whether the nutrients are readily available in the soil or not.
If you are growing microgreens indoors, you have to make sure that the space is well ventilated. If the soil lacks oxygen, then it will not be suitable for growing microgreens. There are certain nutrients that can help in growing microgreens but you cannot rely simply on this as they need sunlight as well as a good amount of nutrients in order to thrive. You should make sure that the space receives a lot of natural sunlight everyday.
Another tip when it comes to growing microgreens is to plant them in pots that are larger than what you initially plan on planting. This is because microgreens do not like being crowded. When plants spread over a large area, they tend to get eaten by birds hence less nutrients are getting distributed to the roots eventually killing them.
When it comes to selecting microgreen soil for your plants, you should only choose high quality potting soil that has good drainage. It is better to use a potting soil that has one-inch of water draining per inch of pot. The ideal type of microgreen soil for your plants is one with good texture yet has good drainage. Micros are highly tolerant towards heat and cold and therefore you should place them in areas that receive at least seventy-five to eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit.
Micro greens require sunlight during the day time but only do well if the soil is shady. If the sun is too much for your growing trays, you can place a plastic shade that is half a foot wide over the seeds. The plastic should be placed on top of the soil and left there for about a week. If you plant the seeds in the wrong place, the roots may not have a chance to develop properly.
There are some other considerations in choosing microgreen soil for your plants but in general they should not contain clay, peat moss, compost or sand. These elements are actually what makes up the bulk of traditional soil that is used in indoor growing. Clay, peat moss and sand actually make the ideal growing medium for black mold spores and they will actually make the roots rot more easily. Other elements that you should avoid are manure, bone meal, lime and rock wool.
The best thing you can do to get away with poor nutrient levels in your growing tray is to simply give your plants nutrients that come directly from nature. Most of the nutrients you need to come straight from the earth as it breaks down organic matter. This includes nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium. Make sure to use slow releasing pellets to give your microgreens the right dose of these essential nutrients each growing day. Don’t forget that the soil for microgreens is different than the type of growing media you’re using on your plants. Find a hydroponic specialist in your area who can help you choose the best medium for growing your favorite vegetables.