How to grow Sunflower Microgreens fast and easy? Are you interested in starting to grow microgreens at home? The best place to start is with sunflowers. These microgreens have a thick, crisp texture and a sweet, nutty flavor. Additionally, they are cheap and simple to grow.
Quick takeaways:
- Sunflower Microgreens grow quickly and strongly if you give them good soil, the correct quantity of water, and lots of light.
- They work well in a variety of meals, including soups, smoothies, and sandwiches.
- There are many animals that eat sunflowers like rabbits, Deer, Chipmunks, Raccoons etc.
- Microgreens are used to grow different plants like Spinach Microgreens, Mustard Microgreens, Basil Microgreens, Arugula Microgreens, etc.
Even if you have never gardened before, sunflowers are an excellent microgreen to start with. Microgreens are simple to grow at home in almost any kind of container.
We’ll discover how to develop sunflower microgreens in this article. Including how to prepare your seeds for germination, and how to plant, care for, and harvest them.
How to grow Sunflower Microgreens fast and easy? (Step-by-Step Guide)
Building Your Soil
Your yard’s soil is rich with organic life. You run the risk of introducing fruit flies, gnats, ants, and other icky crawlies inside if you bring them inside. All of these additions could harm your plants before they have a chance to grow if you’re growing microgreens indoors. Spend a few dollars instead to purchase a bag of seedling mix or organic potting soil from the supermarket. You’ll be happy that you did. If you must use your soil, you can sterilize it by placing it in the oven for around 30 minutes at 180 degrees.
Nourishing Your Seeds
Some microgreens don’t require the pre-soaking of their seeds. But because of their particularly tough shells, sunflower seeds are best pre-soaked before planting. This weakens the sunflower seeds’ covering and makes it a lot easier for them to germinate.
For best results, immerse your sunflower seeds in cold water for at least 12 hours or overnight. After draining and rinsing your seeds, leave them to soak once more for 8 to 12 hours. You should see your seeds start to sprout after around 24 hours of soaking.
Planting Seeds
It’s time to plant your seeds after they’ve soaked. A planter tray should be filled with about an inch of potting soil. Since your seeds will only be growing for a few days, you don’t need a lot of soil. They won’t grow large enough to draw significant amounts of nutrients from the soil or establish extended root systems.
You can use a disposable aluminum foil baking tray or any other vessel with a similar shape and size if you don’t have a planter tray. Distribute your seeds equally across the entire tray. After that, moisten the soil and seeds using a clean spray bottle. Your seeds don’t need to be covered in soil.
Just be careful to carefully press them down so they may make good contact with the soil. To completely block off light, use a towel, another tray, or any other object or material on top of the seeds. When your microgreens are germination and sprouting, they don’t need sunlight. You should lift your cover each day to sprinkle your seeds and soil a few times so they stay moist. Your seeds should be damp but not drenched in water, or else they risk rotting.
Sunflower microgreens Harvesting
The shells of your sunflower microgreens should begin to come off of their leaves when they are about 4 inches tall and ready to be harvested. Using a sharp pair of scissors or a kitchen knife, trim the stems of these plants just above the soil line for the simplest harvesting method. Here, a sharp blade is essential since it will efficiently cut through your microgreens’ stems without damaging them. It’s better to avoid just removing microgreens with your hands because doing so can harm them and make a bigger mess.
To know more about the plant world, you may also read related articles, How to grow Spinach Microgreens fast and easy?
Your microgreens could be in various developmental stages. While some may already have actual leaves, others are still developing. Only harvest the tall, mature microgreens; you can leave the younger ones to grow for a few more days. If you’re fortunate, the early stems you removed might even allow you to harvest the second batch of microgreens.
Preserving Your Microgreen Sunflowers
After harvesting your microgreens, you should wash them off gently and carefully. After that, sandwich them between two wet paper towels and package them up in plastic. They can be kept this way for up to five days in the refrigerator. Of course, for maximum freshness, it’s best to consume your microgreens as soon as you gather them.
Conclusion
Sunflower microgreens are frequently perceived as requiring more work than the majority of other types. They aren’t entirely incorrect, but after viewing this article, I’m confident you no longer share their opinions.
If you start with high-quality seeds, growing high-quality sunflower microgreens is significantly simpler. It all comes down to your process, excluding the seeds and the surroundings of your growing space. Microgreens that have not yet flowered might thrive in a hotter environment. They must be easy to grow in conditions as extreme as 77 degrees Fahrenheit and as low as 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
FAQ‘s
Are sunflower seeds the same as microgreens?
Sunflowers and microgreens are both amazing additions to your yard. They both belong to the same species and tend to grow in yellow blossoms.
How long does it take for sunflowers to grow?
It takes about 80 to 120 days for the sunflowers to harvest. It depends on its variety.
I am usually trying new strategies to increase the success of new plants in the Garden, I try my best to publish those on Gardening Hood as soon as possible.
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