- Sprouts and microgreens are nutrient-rich young plants, perfect as a fresh addition to winter meals.
- Sprouts are grown in water, microgreens in the substrate – both are easy to grow at home, even for beginners.
- All you need is a jar or sprouter, good seeds and regular watering to enjoy your own harvest.
- Learn how to grow these “green treasures” on your windowsill step by step and enrich your diet!
Sprouts and micro leaves are young forms of plants that are distinguished by their intense flavor and high nutrient content. Their cultivation takes only a few or a dozen days, so they are perfect in winter, when we especially care about fresh additions to our daily meals. Where to start and what to pay attention to when deciding to grow your own home crops?
Sprouts and microgreens – what are the differences and what to choose first?
Although the terms “sprouts” and “microleaves” are sometimes used interchangeably, they actually mean two different stages of plant development. Sprouts are young plants just after germinating the seeds – grown without soil, only with water. Microleaves, on the other hand, grow a little longer in the substrate until the first true leaves appear.
Sprouts are the perfect choice for people who are just starting their adventure with home cultivation
– says Joanna Legutko, gardening consultant and vice-president of W.Legutko.
It is very simple, fast and does not require any advanced tools. All you need is a jar or sprouter, water and good quality seeds. Microleaves need a little more attention, but they are still extremely easy to grow and give great satisfaction, because after just a dozen or so days we can collect the first crops.
– adds the expert.
To start with, it is worth choosing proven species, such as radish, broccoli, alfalfa or cress sprouts, and in the case of microgreens – arugula, peas, beetroot or kale.
Winter cultivation at home step by step – what do you really need?
One of the most common myths regarding home cultivation is the belief that plants do not have appropriate conditions for growth in winter. In the case of sprouts and microgreens, this is not true – their needs are minimal, and natural daylight is completely sufficient.
To start growing sprouts and microgreens at home in winter, you do not need a garden or expensive lamps to illuminate the plants. The most important are: regularity and quality of seeds. Sprouts need only be rinsed with water every day, while microgreens need a light substrate, regular daily watering and access to light. A kitchen windowsill or a countertop next to a window is a completely sufficient place.
– emphasizes Joanna Legutko.
The expert also points out that home cultivation allows us to have full control over what ends up on our plate – without chemical additives and without the risk of losing freshness during transport.
Growing sprouts and microgreens step by step
SPROUTS – ready in just a few days
- Pour 1-2 tablespoons of seeds into a jar and cover with water for 6-12 hours.
- Drain the water and rinse the seeds thoroughly; Rinse the sprouts twice a day, taking care to remove excess water.
- Place the container in a bright place, but out of direct sunlight.
- After 3-7 days, the sprouts are ready to eat.
MICROLEAVES – first harvest after 10-14 days
- Sow the seeds densely on a light substrate (earth, coconut mat, damp cotton wool or lignin).
- Keep the substrate slightly moist at all times, avoiding overwatering.
- Place the container on a bright windowsill, with access to daylight.
- Cut the micro leaves with clean scissors when the first true leaves appear.
Why are sprouts and microgreens especially valuable in winter?
In winter, our diet often becomes poorer in fresh vegetables, and products available in stores may have a lower vitamin content due to long storage time. Sprouts and microgreens are unique in this respect because we eat them almost immediately after harvesting.
Freshness is their greatest advantage. Sprouts and microleaves contain concentrated amounts of nutrients because the plant at this stage intensively uses the reserves stored in the seed. Thanks to this, even a small portion can enrich your daily meal with vitamins, minerals and natural bioactive compounds. In winter, when the body is more vulnerable to deficiencies, this is particularly important.
– explains Joanna Legutko.
An additional advantage is their intense taste and aroma, which can transform even the simplest dish.
How to include sprouts and microgreens in your daily diet?
Home cultivation does not require a revolution in the kitchen. Sprouts and microgreens can be treated as an addition to known and liked dishes – sandwiches, salads, spreads, soups and hot dishes.
It’s best to start with simple solutions. A handful of sprouts on a sandwich, microgreens added to scrambled eggs or a creamy soup sprinkled with them is a small change that makes a big difference. This makes it easy to introduce them into your daily diet, without the feeling that you need to completely change your eating habits.
– advises Joanna Legutko.
The expert adds that regularly growing your own crops promotes greater awareness of what we eat and encourages us to choose fresh, plant-based additives more often.
Growing sprouts and microgreens at home is a simple way to maintain “green freshness” all year round. Even in winter, with minimal work, you can enjoy valuable products that enrich your daily meals and support a healthy diet. Just a few days are enough to see that growing your own plants on your windowsill really makes sense.
