Sprouts or microblades - which should I choose?

Are you curious about growing your own food at home in the kitchen window? Or are you lacking patience or have no room for a large vegetable garden? Then you should try growing sprouts or microblades!

Both sprouting and cultivation of microblades are methods that make it easy to grow your own vegetables in a small area. It is also fast and does not require much knowledge, tools or time.

Dry seeds are full of nutrients that are unfortunately difficult for our bodies to absorb. When the seed begins to grow, however, it opens up its protective shell and more nutrients become available to us as well. Both sprouts and shoots are real superfoods.

Whatever method you choose, you can grow crispy and tasty vegetables that are full-packed with nutrients – all year round!

Let the lentil sprouts make your salad a little more nutritious! Photo: Lovisa Back

Sprouts

Seeds and water are really all that is needed to start sprouting. A germ begins to develop when the seed has access to water, oxygen and a suitable temperature. You can germinate in a strainer, a jar (use a fine-mesh net to pour off excess water) or a special sprout box. Most seeds are ready in 5-10 days and durable for about 5 days in the refrigerator. 

For those who are away for longer periods, it can be difficult to sprout with good results because the seeds need to be rinsed at least twice a day. It is important to rinse them regularly to keep them moist and fresh. A cultivation in soil is a little more forgiving as the sprouts can survive a few days without water. 

On the other hand, the sprouts do not need any light – quite the opposite actually! Therefore it is perfect to grow sprouts during the darker part of the year.

Different seeds give different sprouts in terms of both taste and texture. Lentil sprouts, for example, are mild, crunchy and nutritious, while Fennel sprouts are not as filling but instead add a lively anise flavor to your meal. Which will be your favorite?

Alfalfa sprouts have a mild taste, and with minimum effort you get a lot – a single tablespoon gives half a liter of sprouts. Photo:Lovisa Back

Good varieties to sprout

• Alfalfa
• Broccoli
• Fennel
• White Icicle Radish
• Garden cress
• Radish
• Mustard seeds
• Lentils

You can also try with…

• Beetroot
• Leek
• Kail
• Peas

Here you can read more about how to grow sprouts.

The Micro Leaf 3 box allows you to grow several varieties, or the same variety in several rounds, so that you always have fresh micro leafs to harvest. Photo: Annika Christensen

Micro Leaf

Micro leaves are small green shoots and leaves that are often called microgreens. It is the fastest and easiest way to grow leafy vegetables. The shoots can be harvested after just a couple of weeks.

Micro leafs take a little longer than sprouting and they also need something to grow in. If they do not get enough light, which can be a problem during the winter, they will not be as lush as they could be. With the help of grow light, your shoots will grow both faster and better.

Unlike the sprouts – which need to be rinsed a couple of times a day – you do not need to water your shoots every day. However, since you usually grow in a fairly thin layer of soil, it is good to review how they feel on a regular basis. If you grow just above a warm element, you may need to water more often.

Several of our Micro Leaf can be harvested several times over! If you also spoil your cultivation with a little nutrition after the first harvest, they will have plenty of energy to grow further!

Coriander is excellent to grow as micro leafs at home in the kitchen. Photo: Annika Christensen

Suitable varieties to grow as microblades

• Leaf radish
• Red Frills
• Bond bean
• Kail
• Borage
• Coriander
• Pak Choi
• Lettuce
• Sunflower
• Pea

You can also try with…

... all kinds of cabbage! Red cabbage, broccoli, tatsoi - you can sow and harvest all varieties of cabbage as small leaves.

Here you can read about how to grow microblades. [link]

Grow shoots without soil

Some seeds can be grown nicely in small shoots completely without soil. The classic Garden Cress is an example of seeds you can sow on kitchen paper or cotton, to reap fine spicy greens for your sandwiches after just a few days. If you would like to try yourself, these seeds are suitable:

• Broccoli
• Garden cress
• Radish