Growing microgreens is an easy, inexpensive, and tasty way for students to learn about the plant cycle through hands-on activity and fast results. While working through the activity, ask these guiding questions:
- What do plants need to survive?
- What plant parts can you identify? What are their functions?
- How do plants change over time? What does a plant life cycle look like?
Recommended Materials:
- recycled shallow containers such as clam-shell (berry) containers
- paper towel
- water mister
- potting soil
- south-facing window or grow light
- scissors
- seeds such as: basil, kale, chard, beets, mustard, arugula, sunflower
Procedure
- Clean a shallow container and add a couple of inches of potting soil.
- Add seeds on top of the soil with 5-6 seeds per square inch. Since these are harvested as microgreens, they do not need much space.
- Mist with water until the soil is damp.
- Cover with a paper towel to block the light.
5. Peek under the paper towel after a day or two. When the seeds have little visible roots, they have germinated. At this point, remove the paper towel so the seeds have sunlight.
6. Place in a south-facing window or under a grow light so they receive 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Water daily with a mister. Be sure to give them enough water so it gets down to the roots.
7. Harvest! When there are two little leaves, use scissors to cut the microgreens off at the base.
8. Store microgreens, between two damp paper towels, in a glass jar or resealable bag for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Taste test! Try the microgreens on their own, with a cracker, or on a salad or sandwich. Vote with your thumb to rate how well you liked it. What is your favorite flavor?
Follow-ups:
What do the microgreens need to survive? What plant parts can you identify? Watch a microgreens time lapse video. How did the plants change over time? We harvested our microgreens when they were micro (tiny). What might the plants have looked like if they could keep growing? How would their needs change as they grow?
Take it outdoors! Gather in an outdoor space where students can find plants, perhaps a school garden, prairie plot, landscaped area, wooded trail, or even a grassy schoolyard. Encourage students to find a plant to observe and draw, labeling the plant’s parts and life cycle stage. How do outdoor plants get the things they need to survive?
For more information about growing food indoors, check out the book Indoor Kitchen Gardening by Elizabeth Millard.