28 Cultivating Radish Microgreens
Reflection
Triton Purple Radish Microgreens are easy to grow, nutritious, and look great on a plate. They grow tall with red and white stems and deep green leaves. Like all radishes, they are a bit peppery and add spice. They are also juicy and crunchy. The benefits are amazing. They are packed with nutrients: Vitamins A, C, E, and K, folic acid, niacin, potassium, iron, phosphorus, pantothenic acid, calcium, magnesium, zinc and carotenes. They are great for your eyes and have been shown to prevent some cancers. Plant yours today and you could be harvesting before the week is up! Let’s get started!
Growing Directions:
Radish microgreens are fast and easy to grow. If exposed to light on day 3, you can be harvesting as early as day 5 or 6. Some people do like to harvest them early due to the fact that they are at their crunchiest on days 5 and 6 of their growth. While I did not do this step, and mine germinated just fine, prior to planting, presoaking these seeds in cold, filtered water for 4 to 6 hours will promote faster growth after they are planted.
To grow these microgreens, you only need a few things. If you want to soak the seeds beforehand, which is recommended by the company where I bought my seeds, you will need a jar and fresh water. You need three trays: two solid and one with slots for watering and drainage. I use the 10 * 10 size. I get mine through The Bootstrap Farmer. You will also need a grow medium. There are several choices. I use coco coir. You will need nutrients. I use Ocean Solution and dilute it in filtered water. And, you will need a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to harvest. Actually, though I am using my knife in the video, For harvesting, because of their thick stems, I found that kitchen scissors may work better than a knife. For clean up, it’s good to use food grade hydrogen peroxide. Oh yes, and you will need the seeds. I buy most of mine through True Leaf Market. And finally, you will need grow lights. I got mine through Amazon.
Soak 15 g of seed in cold filtered water for 4 to 6 hours. Drain and set aside. (I skipped this step and my radish grew well). Then, fill the tray with holes up half to 3/4s full with coco coir. Spread soil evenly, and press it down firmly. Mist generously with water. The soil should be fully saturated but not puddling. Measure out 15 grams of seed. Spread the seed evenly across the grow medium. Sandwich that tray between the two solid trays. put a weight on top and place on a shelf for about 2 or 3 days to germinate. On day 3, flip the lid and return to the shelf for 1 to 2 more days. This is called blackout. For this crop, this step is optional. During this time, the stems are getting longer and thicker! When it looks ready, around day 5 or earlier, remove the top tray and place under grow lights. At this time begin to water with a nutrient mix at 1/4 to 1/2 a cup a day; the plants’ water needs will differ depending on where you are growing. The mix is just filtered water with a little bit of the ocean solution. When I mix mine, I make a gallon at a time and mix .05 oz into my gallon of filtered water. When you water, you do not want your grow medium to be too saturated, only slightly moist. When your greens get to the size you like, between days 7 to 10, use a sharp knife or scissors to harvest. Please note, if you soak your seeds in cold water before planting and you skip the blackout stage, you could harvest as early as day 5. Some people like to harvest radishes early because they are the crunchiest at that point. You may harvest as you eat them for really fresh, fresh greens, or harvest them all at once and store them in an air tight container in your refrigerator. They are still fresh and last up to a week, until the next batch is ready! Good luck! And if you grow, please leave photos and comments below. I would love to share your experience!