Ever wondered of a hobby that helps you live longer? Turns out, it's gardening!
If you haven't tried growing vegetables in your garden yet, this winter season is the perfect time to begin. There's absolutely no comparison between the taste of a garden-fresh tomato and the one purchased from your nearby grocery store.
Although growing your own vegetables and microgreens can seem overwhelming to some, it is actually much simpler than it sounds. It doesn't necessarily need a yard, all you require is a little space on your window sill and you'll be amazed at how many tomatoes or peppers you can grow out of a single pot.
The first part of this journey would help you begin with growing the easiest and most nutritious kind, Microgreens!
Microgreens are young vegetable greens that fall somewhere between sprouts and baby leaf vegetables. They have an intense aromatic flavor and concentrated nutrient content and come in a variety of colors and textures. Despite their small size, they pack a nutritional punch, often containing higher nutrient levels than more mature vegetable greens which makes them a good addition to any diet.
Before we take the journey into creating this beautiful paradise around us, let's take a look at the basics you would require before you commence growing the greens:
Sunlight: Post sowing of seeds, ensure the plant receives at least 5-6 hours of direct sun
Potting: In case you're growing the plant in a pot, use at least a 3-4 inch deep pot per plant. This will give enough space for the roots to grow.
In this day and age of the constant urban conundrum, we often change houses and prefer not to spend a lot on purchasing pots and the right kind of soil. Nursery plant polybags cater to that need of yours: it's highly economical, very easy to clean, and shift, too.
Note: When it comes to growing microgreens, the most efficient way of growing them is in the takeout boxes that you get your food ordered in. Just make sure to make a few holes at the bottom of the container that would ensure soil aeration.
Soil: Vegetables need well-draining nutritious soil. The best way to prepare the same is by mixing equal quantities of cocopeat (helps retain water), regular soil, and compost (food for the plant).
Fenugreek (Methi)
This is, by far, the easiest microgreen I've grown out of the very many others. All you need to do is grab a couple of fenugreek seeds from your kitchen and sown them in the soil. Spacing out seeds in the case of fenugreek isn't that big a deal since it doesn't require a lot of space to grow. Cover the seeds with 0.5 cm of soil, approximately.
After planting your seeds, frequent watering is extremely important. Methi requires moist soil, hence it's important to ensure that the plant is watered well and kept under direct sunlight. In 2 to 3 days, the seeds will sprout and within 3 to 4 weeks, they are ready to be harvested.
Methi microgreens are an excellent source of nutrients, helps improve metabolism, improve blood sugar levels, and can help manage Dysmenorrhea (discomfort and pain during menstruation).
Mustard (Rye)
From tempering dal to adding tadka in curries, Mustard has always played a very important role in Indian cooking. Also known by the name sarson, mustard continues to be a popular vegetable even in winters. Having said that, the microgreens that generate out of the seeds are extremely beneficial.
Randomly sprinkle some mustard seeds on the soil and leave them in a space that receives indirect sunlight. The seeds are expected to sprout with 7 days of sowing and harvest-ready with 15 to 20 days of sowing. Water lightly as and when needed, don't drench!
Mustard microgreens help fight diabetes, stimulate hair growth, clears out sinuses, and aids in strengthening the immune system as it contains Vitamin C.
Amaranth
This beautiful microgreen is a must-grow plant during winters. Owing to its pinkish-red hue, amaranth is often grown as an ornamental plant even.
Plant the seeds about 2 inches deep and approximately 5 inches apart and leave them in a spot that receives indirect sunlight. The seeds are expected to germinate in 2-3 days and be ready for harvest in 12-15 days.
Amaranth contains high complete amounts of protein and is gluten-free which aids in relieving chronic cough and ulcers.
Radish (Mooli)
Radish microgreens are one of the easiest and fastest to grow. They require very little preparation which makes them ideal for new microgreen growers. Health reports have proved that radish microgreens have actually 40 times more nutrients per serving than a full-grown radish.
Moisten the soil before sowing the seeds. Radish seeds are somewhat small in size, so you can fit about 10 seeds per square inch of soil. Germination, in the case of radish, do best in dark hence it is advised to cover the pot with a tray. Once the seeds germinate in about 2 to 3 days, remove the tray and let the plant grow.
Besides plenty of health benefits, the radish microgreen also brings a spicy taste to the table. This microgreen contains a large concentration of Vitamin B6 and foliate that aid in improving the cardiovascular system, helps in weight loss, and controlling Alzheimer's disease.
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