Microgreens and Sprouts

LINKS:

Health Information you will not find anywhere else.

The Greatest Secret in the History of the USA.

These are my personal notes on Microgreens from many sources and from personal experience. This information will provide you with the links to the sources, what you need to know to start growing your own microgreens, the equipment you will need and much more. Best Wishes and thank you for viewing! I participate in Amazon Affiliate program so any purchases I greatly appreciate. We are all in this together and let’s help each other thrive!!  

Any questions please leave in comments and I will try to get back to you or shoot me an email at gizmopuppy2014@gmail.com and place Microgreens in the subject box.

Microgreens and Sprouts

Microgreen Farming -2020

Source -1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO9Q2bnQvLo

Contact Larry at Urban Hydro at larry@city-hydro.com or 1-443-765-4757

Urban Hydro on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/City-Hydro-559548380832684/

Urban Hydro Web Site http://www.city-hydro.com/

Buy SEEDS: Mountain Valley Seed Company – the great place to buy SEEDS. Now they are part of True Leaf Markets at https://www.trueleafmarket.com/collections/mountain-valley-seed-co-new-home

Buy SEEDS: EverWilde Farms – https://www.everwilde.com

https://www.city-hydro.com/product-page/replenishment-kit

BEST Pans: Best pans to use to plant microgreens are called Proofing Pans – like from a Pizza Shop to proof the dough. Get the ones made from HDPE Plastic made by Doughmate and the Model Number is CPT-70. City Hydo.

BEST Fiber for Seeds: You need something to grow it on and the best thing so far is Coconut Coir Fiber Matting.

BEST Grow Lights:

1. https://www.city-hydro.com/product-page/home-kit-led-light

2.  (Packof 12) Barrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture, 4FT, 2200lm, 6500K(Super Bright White), 20W, Utility Shop Light, Ceiling and Under Cabinet Light, Corded Electric with Built-in ON/Off Switch – *This is a good deal for under $100, currently around $90. 

3. Best grow lights 3 -  

Buy Trays: https://www.trueleafmarket.com/collections/growing-trays/products/10-20-growing-trays-without-holes?variant=38551592072

Notes from Larry Hountz on Youtube - How to Grow Microgreens in your Home and make $100,000 a year - by You SOAK the Coconut Coir for 24 hours in pure water.

Place a Water Spacer.

The next step is placing seeds on the Coconut Coir or Coconut Fiber Mat. So spread your seeds all over the Coconut Coir.

The next step is get Hydrogen Peroxide 3% and spray over the seeds – light will harm the hydrogen peroxide so stay away from sunlight. This step will help kill any potential pathogen that could be on the seeds or the mats and this will help produce a very clean product.

The next step is spray on the water – you want to get it very moist so there is some water below the mats but not high enough to saturate them. 27:20 on Youtube Video.

The next step is to totally cover the proofing pan so it is Dark on the inside where the seeds are. Some styro foam. This should help with the beginning of the Germination process. This will simulate how seeds germinate in nature when they are underground. Seeds know that light comes from above so they naturally grow upwards.

Then just place on a rack or where you want to store it.

All Microgreens are different on when you should take the cover off of them to place in the light. For Daikon Radish greens it will be on Day 3 as Germination takes about 2 days. Total time to harvest for Daikon Radish Greens is between 6 – 12 Days. *Note: These type of seeds need to pre-soak in water for 4-6 hours prior to placing on the Coconut Coir Mat.

Once the microgreen sprouts are coming up and placed in the Light – they can finally begin producing Chlorophyll – which is what is healthy.

Some of the easiest microgreens to grow:

Micro-Broccoli

Red Russian Kale

Micro-Parsley

Micro-Cilantro

Micro-Kale

Arugula

Make sure to grow some of the Purple colors as they contain Anthocyanins

Grow Lights – in the video the guy has LED lights and for the business that makes over $100,000 a year it only costs about $100 a month of electricity or less than $1,500 a year. The profit margins are really good.

Larry’s LED Lights are tuned to 5500 Kelvin Bright White. White light is the best for plants because it contains all colors of light and is the light that plants need to make chlorophyll

Great Tip: To avoid indoor flies or fruit flies – Have a fish aquarium Aerator running in a 5 Gallon bucket with some Cider in it. It will attract all of the flies to that bucket.

The true definition of microgreens are when plants have the TWO Baby Leaves. The plants do not require extra nutrients until they have 3 or 4 leaves so it is BEST to harvest when they have 2 leaves.

These Micro-greens are NOT grown with any manure as animal manure can possible contaminate them. These are PURE Organic – Non-Pesticide – Non-Herbicide Microgreens.

Types of Microgreens this guy grows:

Kohlrabi, Kale,

You want to grow a Rainbow of Colors of Microgreens:

Radish – for Spice

Arugula –

Amaranth or Bulls Blood –

Swiss Chard

Watercress

Arugula

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are Microgreen seeds different than others? NOPE. Same seeds to grow the larger plant.

__________________________________________________

Barley Grass Juice Powder

Very Nutritional – it takes 25 pounds of Barley Grass Juice to make ONE Pound of Barley Grass Juice Powder.

_________________________________________________________________

1. Amaranth – Red Gamet Amaranth

2. Growing Red Garnet Amaranth Microgreens

• Seed Presoak:NA
• Suitable Growth Medium: Soil or Hydroponic
• Seed Germ time: 2-3 Days
• Micro Greens Harvest time: 8-12 Days
• Color:The most vibrant red and pink of any microgreen!
• Flavor: A mild, sweet flavor
• Texture: Crisp and fresh
• Nutrients: Vitamins K, E, and C, calcium, iron, and beta-carotenes
• Seeds Per Package:
  • 1 lb - Approximately 600,000 Seeds
  • 2.5 lb - Approximately 1,500,000 Seeds
  • 5 lb - Approximately 3,750,000 Seeds
  • 25 lb - Approximately 18,750,000 Seeds
  • 35 lb - Approximately 21,000,000 Seeds

Non-GMO Amaranth is a very small, delicate microgreen that prefers warmer growing conditions. Find a nice warm spot for germination and growing. It can also be sensitive to too much direct light. Red Garnet Amaranth does not grow tall, so expect very small greens that will need to be harvested close to the root line and rinsed well. These microgreens seeds do well grown hydroponically or in soil, but soil is a little more forgiving.

The thin microgreens contain a robust flavor, similar to mustard but much less spicy. It can add depth to any dish that requires fresh greens--or in this case, reds! It's striking colors make at a great garnish or an addition to any micro greens salad. Non-GMO microgreens seeds. 

Wheat Grass for wheat grass juice. WHEAT - HARD RED SPRING (ORGANIC) - GRASS SEEDS – Wheat Grass – for juicing and making your own flour.

Certified Organic Hard Red Spring Wheat Seeds - Wheat For Growing & Juicing Wheatgrass

• USDA Certified Organic
• Whole Hard Red Spring Sprouting Wheat berries
• Excellent Germination Rate 98-100%
• Resealable Packaging or pre-measured bags for wheatgrass trays
• 7-10 days for wheatgrass
• 2-3 days for wheat berry sprouts
• Great for grinding into whole wheat flour
• Outstanding choice for food storage
• Microbial Tested

Flavor Description: The familiar intense sweetness that wheatgrass is known for. A sugary sweetness with a mild bitter aftertaste.

This wheat is the same wheat we use in our flagship wheatgrass growing kit. If you are looking for refills for growing wheatgrass, be sure to buy the 5 & 10 pre-measured bags. These pre-measured wheatgrass refills are our most popular product because everyone comes back for the incredible quality of Hard Red Spring seed that you can't find anywhere else.

Wheatgrass growing Tips

• Gently clean the seeds with water.
• Soak the seeds for 12 hours.
• 1 Cup of Wheat Seeds in a Mason Jar with a lid with a screen or you can poke holes in the lid for draining. Give it a good rinse and wash it well, then fill it back up with water.
• Then let sit for 12 hours in a dark place
• Drain out the water. Place back into the dark and let sit for about 24 hours. After this the wheat seeds should have little tails just beginning – these are the sprouts just getting ready to be planted into the tray on the coconut pad or soil or another pad of your choosing.
• Keep the Temperature stable and right – NOT too hot. Keep it cool.
• Plant wheat fairly densely in a tray that drains well (most growers use a perforated “1020” tray)
• Seeds can be spread on the soil surface and do not need to be covered with additional soil. Keep soil moist and water from the bottom of the tray when possible.
• Due to the density of planting – mold can develop and can be treated with a diluted mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water gently sprayed on effected areas. Be careful though, “root fuzz”, which develops as the seed begins to sprout, looks a lot like mold the first day or two.
• Grass will be ready to juice in 7 to 10 days.

When sprouted organic wheat can have a sweet nutty flavor. Sprouted wheat will begin to lose its sweet flavor once “root fuzz” begins to develop.

Wheat Sprout Tips

• Wheat sprouts will be ready in 2 to 3 days
• 1 unit of wheat will yield 2 units of sprouts
• Soak wheat for 10 hours

Other great uses for wheatgrass:

• Very popular and healthy chicken feed. Many claim much better egg yield when chickens are feed wheatgrass.
• Many people are also growing wheatgrass for Easter centerpieces, it is easy, fast and beautiful.

______________________________________________________________

3 Best Microgreens for Profit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO-OuqbR3EE

1. Sunflowers – usually in most in demand and easy to grow and popular in the health community for juicing and salads.

2. Pea Shoots – close second – same as sunflowers.

3. Radish – not super popular with Health, but popular with Restaurants and at Farmer’s Markets.

These microgreens go for about $15 a Pound. Some in bigger cities charge all the way up to $60 a pound. One flat can yield a good pound or more and a flat is 10x20 inches.

A good planting schedule would be Monday and Thursdays. Plant on Monday can be uncovered for light on Friday.

Radish Greens can be sold at $20 a flat which is about 1 pound. The yield per flat is a bit less but the you can charge a bit more. **For Radishes – plant the seeds DRY and for the Sunflowers and Pea Shoots you will soak or wet the seeds.

Harvesting: Get a very sharp knife – a good Japanese Chef Knife would be great, but they are around $200.

Harvesting Pea Shoots are easiest because they are taller and so easy to grab.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Top 10 Mistakes while growing Microgreens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNvYjh0O5Zc

1. Biggest mistake is MOLD. In Germination you only water from the TOP. When in the lights you water from the bottom. You do NOT need to use ANY FANS as they can blow mold spores into other trays. Keep between 50% and 60% humidity. Keep Temperature between 68 and 72 degrees. The mold will look like a Spider Web on top of the Microgreens.

2. Root Rot – it happens when there are too many seeds OR the seeds are too dense. The bottom will start to rot if they are too dense. 75 ml of seeds per 4 pads and I believe there are 8 pads per 10x20 flat?? If so, it would be 600 ml of seeds per flat. *Not sure on this??? You do not want to stack the seeds. It may be better to under-seed rather than over-seed.

3. Confusing Root Hairs with Mold and throwing out the trays. Root Hairs look like mold but they are not – they are white and their purpose is to get nutrients at germination stage. Root Hairs will take up ALL of your tray – they will be everywhere. Mold will be spotty – it will be in certain spots and NOT all around in your tray. The root hairs will stay at the bottom and the mold will be towards the top. Mold comes in white, gray or black and this is bad for sure and will look like a spider web on the top. Mold will go to the leaves and root hairs stay towards the bottom. A little bit of Hydrogen Peroxide Hairs will kill the mold and you can spray a little on. Every once in a while you will see a spider web on the seeds and you will have to contact the seed seller and just tell them and they should work with you.

4. Fruit Flies – use Apple Cider Vinegal or Reds Apple Ale is even better with a Fish Aerator and it will attract the fruit flies. Do this for sure if you are doing this on a big scale. If using SOIL you need to sanitize it as there may be eggs in that soil if you reuse it.

5. Under-watering and Over-watering – use a water wand or some type of sprayer when watering during germination stage. Go back and forth throughout your tray for 30 seconds. When watering from the bottom just take a cup of water and pore in the side or the corner and swoosh it around. NEVER mist from the TOP when it is in vegetative state or after germination. You know that your microgreens have enough water on the bottom when you tilt the tray up to about a 45 degree angle and you stick your finger in the corner and the water comes up to about your first knuckle. So use your finger as a dipstick.

6. Too much HEAT. You don’t want the High Humidity and the High Heat. You want the Temperature between 68 and 72 degrees – this will keep the bugs out also. You want the humidity around 55%. You need to EMPTY the Humidifier often. So you will need a humidifier. You may not need a humidifier if you live in Arizona or Las Vegas or New Mexico. Microgreens grow great in less humidity.

7. Using the WRONG Soil. Yo can NOT sell live microgreens with soil – chefs will NOT allow soil to enter the restaurant. The substrate to use is Coconut coir – they usually will not allow this either. Then there is Hemp – it is too flimsy to pick up. Then there is Biostrate – do not know the contents – if they are fertilized but they do grow well on this but contents unknown – some call this Cambodia Swamp Grass. The BEST substrate to use is Coconut Fiber – Larry from www.city-hydro.com uses 100% organic Coconut Fiber. You can get it from his site.

8. SEEDS – buying from the wrong seller. You need to know the LOG Numbers of the Seeds. If someone gets sick from your microgreens it could come back to you and you need to know that your seeds are good. You do not want to buy treated seeds for Microgreens – you are going to get a lot of chemicals in the water that could get into the plants. TrueLeaft, Johnny’s, Mums are certified seed companies. Www.trueleaf.com – www.Johnnyseeds.com – www.sprouting.com are great sources to buy Non-GMO Organic Seeds.

9. Growing in Non-Food Safe Plastic Trays – the plastic can leech into your microgreens. PVC has been proven to leak lead – so don’t use that either. If you use fertilizers tfhey can eat into the plastic and allow it leech out in the water, in the substrate and in your microgreens. They need to be CERTIFIED FDA Food Safe. Everything you purchase from www.city-hydro.com will be SAFE for growing your microgreens.

10. Growing too many Different Kinds of Microgreens. Amaranth – it is hard to grow and there is very little demand for it. You don’t need to grow Amaranth. Sunflowers – they can be lots of mold in the seeds of sunflowers. The 3 Microgreens Larry from City Hydro recommends are called Leeks, Radishes and Peas. Leeks are a little more expensive, Radishes are cheap and Peas are Dirt Cheap. The Types of Peas to Grow: Green Sprouting Peas or the Ophelia Peas – are the best ones to grow because they grow to certain height and start to slow down. Australian Field Peas or Dun Peas will keep growing to a height of a small tree. Radishes – grow Rambo Radish with China Rose combination – they mix the two seeds on a tray – it makes a nice purple and green color in the tray. Leeks – grow the American Flag leeks – has a nice onion – bagel taste to it and the appearance is neat.

Top 3 Microgreens: 3 Best Microgreens from Larry

1. Leeks – American Flag Leeks – they have an onion taste and a black speck at the top.

2. Radishes – Rambo Radish and China Rose on the same flat mixed together makes a great blended color.

3. Sprouting Peas – or Ophelia Peas – not the Australian or Dun Peas. You want the peas that grow to a certain height and then they really slow down.

4. Personal Note: Not from Larry at City Hydro. There is an option on TrueLeaf Market to buy a combination pack called Basic Salad Mix Microgreen Seeds – order here https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/basic-salad-mix-microgreen-seed?variant=38827791624

5. Larry sells a great Microgreens Starter Kit that includes Micro Russian Kale Seeds and Micro Broccoli Seeds, 2 Trays, 2 hydro spacers, 1 light – LED Tube 15.75 inches, 1 Germination lid, 1 pipette and 1 Wire Shelf 18x9x9, 1 – 100 mil measuring cup, 1 pH test paper roll and a Training Model. https://www.city-hydro.com/product-page/deluxe-microgreen-homekit

_________________________________________________________________________________

Microgreen Regulations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swPMDRxCyNM

Look at the GAP program – a program where they can inspect your operation – they just make sure that you keep it clean and can observe how you practice. It is a voluntary program, but if you are doing a Farmer’s Market you want to do this.

1. Register with the State and get your Trademark – your business name.

2. In some states if you gross less than $20,000 you are exempt from pretty much everything.

3. As far as a License to sell to a store or a Restaurant – that doesn’t exist or it is not clearly evident.

4. If you are doing something that you are not supposed to do – someone will tell you and then you can ask for forgiveness and say that you will do everything to correct your actions of so called wrong doing.

5. Insurance: There is an insurance program called FLIP for $300 they will give you insurance up to $1 million for two incidences. The reason it is so cheap is because it is not that Risky! It is rare that you have contaminated produce and if doing all organic – it is very seldom. As long as you keep it CLEAN and keep you equipment clean you will do fine.

6. Research the Department of Agriculture.

____________________________________________________________________________

Getting your Microgreen Business Started – Things you will Need

1. Sterile Environment – you can buy a product called Panda Plastic that is black on the inside and white on the outside to put on your walls. It gives it a sterile look also. You can get Panda Plastic here.

2. Racks – you need something to hold your trays. You can get HDX racks from Home Depot or you can get racks from Amazon – I love this one here.

3. Lights – you can get 5500K LED lights – 5500 K seems to be about right for Microgreens. You will want Bright White Light.

4. Trays – you can get ones with holes or without and you can even drill your own holes. Make sure to get Food Safe Trays. Don’t go cheap with the 10x20 black plastic trays – you don’t want plastic in your microgreens. Keep them clean.

5. SEEDS – Almost EVERYONE gets their seeds from TrueLeaf Market. Radish – China Rose – 1 lb, Thomas Laxton Peas – 5 Lbs for under $20. Leeks – get the American Leeks – are a little more expensive but they are good. Sunflower – Black Oil Sunflower Seeds - $40 for 5 lbs.

6. Substrate – you can use Soil – use light soil if you choose this route. Coconut Coir bricks are great to use. The best is from www.city-hydro.com - in fact they will sell everything you need equipment wise, but it may be a bit more pricey.

7. Dehumidifier – you want the humidity around 55%. It will depend on the size of room you are growing in and how much you are growing. For around 200 square feet you can get a decent one like this one for around $40. These will make a HUGE Difference. You will need one and when you can afford get a better one – more expensive one.

8. Clam Shell for storing Microgreens or Food Bags

9. Date Stamp – to stamp on the clam shell or the food bag the date packaged.

9. Refrigerator – as you grow larger you may need a refrigerator to house your greens – if not sold the same day as harvested.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Interesting Facts – Microgreens

1. Microgreens are 40 times more nutritious than their Adult counterpart and you can harvest in 7-10 days – some can take over 15 days.

2. How long do you have lights on? 16 in summer and 18 in winter. Turn lights off at night.

_________________________________________________________________

Benefits of Sprouts and Microgreens

• Sprouts and Microgreens – they are a nutritional powerhouse that are packed with vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, disease reversing compounds and phytochemicals.

1. Eating Sprouts – eating sprouts and micro-greens in this early phase of life is easy on digestion.

2. Bring back vitality – the most important role of eating sprouts and microgreens are to bring back vitality.

3. Reproductive System – sprouts and microgreens can renew an exhausted reproductive system. They can restore hormones such as progesterone, estrogen and testosterone.

4. Support Brain – by removing toxic heavy metals – they also rejuvenate neurons. Also contains amino acids and enzymes for helping the brain.

5. Mineral Salts – microgreens and sprouts are high in mineral salts which aid in neurotransmitter production.

6. Skin Repair – helps with the skin.

7. Toxic Heavy Metals – pull them from the brain.

8. Trace Minerals – has more than 60 trace minerals like iron, iodine, selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, sulfur, magnesium, chromium and molybdenum.

9. Prevents infections from pathogens – and also prevents cancer cell growth proliferation.

10. Elevated Biotics – the best source for elevated biotics which are critical for B-12 production in the ileum.

11. Sprouts and Microgreens have Phytochemicals – has phytochemicals that helps supercharge the body.

12. Broccoli Sprouts – helps to increase hydrochloric acid.

14. Radish Sprouts – purge the liver.

15. Red Clover Sprouts – cleanses the blood and lymph system

16. Fenugreek Sprouts – help the heart, brain, soul and are great for the adrenals and endocrine system – plus helps regulate thyroid hormones.

17. Lentil Sprouts – helps to give you strength – they are like eating a Thanksgiving dinner but without the tiredness that follows.

18. When in Mourning – turn to sprouts as they will help you get out of this and move forward.

19. For Noticeable Benefits – try eating two cups of sprouts per day.

20. When growing sprouts or microgreens – run your fingers over the top of them and talk to them as they will pick up on your vibrations and produce what you need for nutrition.

21. Do NOT cook Sprouts – best in their raw states.

22. Energy Producing Sprouts and Microgreens – radish, kale, sunflower and fenugreek.

23. Relaxing and Calming Sprouts and Microgreens – bean and lentil.

24. Night Vision – a juice mixture of cucumber, pea shoots and sunflower greens will amplify the ability to see well at night.

END of Benefits of Sprouts and Microgreens.

__________________________________________________