How to Grow Basil Microgreens Effectively? (Step-by-Step Guide)

How to Grow Basil Microgreens Effectively? Growing basil microgreens is easier than you think. Basil microgreens are filled with nutrients, and various vitamins like A, B6, C, E, and K, and also include copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and a little bit of zinc. 

Key takeaways:

• In Basil microgreens, tiny basil seeds are sprouted in some potting soil and left until they grow some leaves.
• Basil microgreens take up to 15 to 20 days to fully grow.
• The steps to growing basil microgreens effectively are first soaking, Setting up of soil and planting seeds, Growing the basil microgreens, From sprouts to plant, and Harvesting the plants more detailing is explained below.

Before growing the best basil microgreens you need to know what really basil microgreens are. 

What are basil microgreens? 

Basil microgreens are just tiny baby shoots of basil plants. The tiny basil seeds are sprouted in some potting soil and left until they grow some leaves. When the leaves grow they are plucked and enjoyed in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes with all the nutrients included. There are various types of basil plants.

These microgreens are easy to grow and usually grow in two to three days, but can take up to 15 to 20 days to fully grow, and then they are usable. Microgreens usually have 4 to 5 times more nutrients including micro and macro nutrients as well.They are available for different types of plants like Arugula Microgreens, Mustard Microgreens, Sunflower Microgreens, etc.

So, with this, we conclude that microgreens or basil microgreens are more healthy and more nutritious than the normal basil plants. By this, you can consider adding microgreens to your favorite dishes to enhance the flavor and make them healthier. 

How to Grow basil microgreens effectively? 

Materials required:

There will be a few things that you need to gather before start growing these basil microgreens:

• Seeds: Get good quality seeds for growing yourself the best quality microgreens.
• Trays, containers, or small pots: for growing the tiny healthy sprouts.
• Soil: Soil or growing medium.
• Water sprinkler
• Light 
• Well-ventilated area.

With all the material set up, you are all ready to grow those little yet amazing healthy basil microgreens.

So, Let’s get started with our step-by-step guide to growing our microgreens:

Step 1: Soaking

Soaking the seeds is not necessary but still, some people usually like to soak the seeds before finally putting them in the soil to grow.  Also, you need to remember that these seeds have a little coating of mucilage, which is a kind of gooey material found usually on various seeds for example chia seeds, if you have ever soaked chia seeds before you know how the water becomes thick once seeds are soaked. 

If you don’t want to get yourself in trouble then you can skip the soaking part.

Step 2: Setting up of soil and planting seeds:

For this step, you will require a container or tray that has drainage holes in them. You must add some potting soil and fill the container to the top. Once done you can add a little water mist on the top of the soil. Add the seeds to the soil, and make sure not to leave too much space between the seeds. Plant them as close as possible to get those green beds once grown.

Also, remember the mucilage while watering the seeds don’t overdo it because overdoing it will damage the seeds. This happens because the seeds become gooey once they get in touch with water. 

Step 3: Growing the basil microgreens:

For the growing part, you first need to cover the soil with one tray to protect the seeds. For the first four days keep them covered, once the sprouts start coming out you can remove the upper tray. While covering the bottom tray you need to keep in mind that there is proper air circulation. 

If even after the four days, the seeds are not sprouted you can wait for one or two more days. When the seeds are sprouted you can move on to the two next steps that are taking care of them.

When you can see those tiny rolled-up green leaves you are all set to go, remember the sprouts usually are pale yellow. 

To know more about the plant world, you may also read related articles, What are the different types of Microgreens? (& How to Grow them?) 

Step 4: From sprouts to plant:

You can mist water with the bottle that we used early. But keep in mind that the soil can act as a breeding ground for the bacteria. So, for this step you need to ditch the water bottle we used earlier, now we are going to implement a small trick that is quite simple. 

The other tray that we used earlier for covering the seeds, will come in handy. Now add a little bit of water to the tray which has no holes in it. Put the tray with seeds in the other tray. The tray with holes will absorb the water from the bottom which will provide good irrigation to the new growing roots. 

Also, keep in mind not to overdo it because the soil may get water clogged and can damage those growing plants. Keep in mind to provide proper shade, light, and water to the plants.

Keep in mind the temperature and moisture present in the air, you may need to water your plants accordingly. 

The basil seeds will need at least 20 days to grow completely depending on the conditions.

Step 5: Harvesting the plants:

Harvesting the microgreens is an essential part of the complete plan. If you do not harvest the plants on time you will end up growing basil plants, not microgreens.

If you take care of the plants very carefully, you will not end up growing basil plants. To check if your crop is ready to harvest you need to look for the oval-shaped, green wrinkled leaves. Once you believe that your microgreens are ready to harvest you then need to stop watering the plant before 8 hours of harvesting. 

After 8 hours the plants will get a little bit dried and will be ready to harvest. You do not need to harvest the complete crop at once. Take as much as you want, take care of the rest of the plants, and use them accordingly.

Concluding lines

In this guide, you come to know that Growing basil microgreens is easier than you think. Basil microgreens are filled with nutrients, and various vitamins like A, B6, C, E, and K, and also include copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and a little bit of zinc. So read the article properly so that you come to know more about the process of growing basil microgreens effectively in your home garden. 

FAQ‘s