Chia microgreens are tangy and are slightly bitter which are perfect for your soups and salads. If you’re already aware with the benefits of chia seeds, you won’t be shocked by how many health benefits chia microgreens may provide. Surprisingly, they provide even more advantages than the seeds.
Researches show that they are high in calcium which is important for bone and cardiovascular health! These microgreens contain a lot of calcium, which is necessary for strong bones and teeth. However, calcium is also helpful to your cardiovascular system, increasing heart function and the capacity of nutrients and oxygen to circulate throughout your body. Phosphorus is also abundant in chia microgreens, which assists in the aforementioned process.
Chia microgreens can also boost your blood health as it is full of vitamins and minerals. The presence of chlorophyll is beneficial to your blood. This substance is high in vitamins such as K, E, C, and A. It also contains potassium and iron, both of which will increase your platelet count. In summary, chia microgreens are an excellent method to improve your body’s general health, helping it to develop stronger and withstand sickness better. Truly, consuming them entails a lot of benefits.
If you are captivated by those benefits and also a starting plant grower, being here will surely be a great help for you! First and foremost, space will not be that much of an issue since you can grow these indoors at your shelves! Furthermore, microgreens are considered as super foods that are packed with nutrients. These are seeds that are grown and harvested in its earlier stage. In just two to three weeks (or even less!), you can already enjoy these microgreens in your salad plates!
To start, get the following materials:
- Microgreen Tray
- Coco coir
- Chia Seeds
- Grow Light Strips
- Kitchen Scissors
- Spray Bottle
Sowing on Coco Coir
- Prepare your microgreen tray by placing enough coco coir where the seeds will be grown. Make sure that the coco coir are evenly distributed across the tray.
- Sprinkle the seeds unto the coco coir, in a well-distributed manner. You can use a spoon or just your bare hands. Remember that the seeds will remain on top and will not be buried under the coco coir.
- Mist the seeds with water.
- Cover the tray with a lid (or another tray) to maintain moisture.
Watering
- While roots are not yet developed, continue to water the seeds using a spray bottle. It is vital for the seeds to have access to water but not too much for it can develop molds.
- Once you are already seeing roots below the white-colored tray, you can now put water in the green-colored basin below. This will be easier for you since by this time, you do not need to water them daily. The roots will already do its job as it absorbs water below!
Lighting
- After 3 days, you can now expose them to grow lights. This will make your sprouts greener.
Harvesting
- After 8 to 12 days or when some of the shoots are already bending, they will be ready for harvest!
- Harvesting microgreens are pretty simple. You just need to cut them through the part of the shoot that is not too close with the coco coir.
- After that, it is great to rinse them gently with cold water, then they are ready to serve!
Key Points to Remember
- Chia seeds do not need soaking anymore.
- The soil must maintain moisture in the germination process.
- In just 2 to 3 days, you should be seeing signs of germination already.
- Do not over-water them, because molds may develop and hinder their growth.
- If you want to store your chia microgreens, it will be better if you will lessen their water supply 8-12 hours before harvesting them. Through this, they will become dry, thus they will be better for storage.
- Most importantly, enjoy your microgreen journey!
If you are looking to start your garden, check out the links in the description for our recommended books and audiobooks.
Don’t forget to download the free ebook too.
Backyard Gardening Book (paperback)
Backyard Gardening Book (audiobook)
Urban Gardening Book (paperback)
Urban Gardening Book (audiobook)