Live Microgreens Care
We are so thankful for your purchase!
To get the most out of your living microgreens, we have a great video on our Instagram page, to view click on the social media icon or go to https://www.instagram.com/go.greens.farm. I demonstrate simple tips on how to care for your microgreens. Although there is some effort that is required to get maximum shelf life of the microgreens, we hope that you will look at it as a privilege to know where your food comes from, how it grows and ultimately to be a part of the final growing process when you harvest them for consumption.
REFRIGERATOR
You can store your microgreens in the refrigerator either in the vented clamshell that you bought them in or in another container that you choose. We have some examples for you to view below. Make sure that your greens are not in direct path of the cold air flow as well as not too close to the lights. The crisper section the refrigerator is an excellent place to store your microgreens. In a couple of days you will want to check the coconut coir mat for dryness.
If it is dry, place a plate of water on your counter, and place the entire coconut coir mat in the water and let soak for a couple of minutes. This will keep the roots moist and prolong the freshness of your greens. Never water the top of your microgreens. This will water on the leaves open the container and let them air out for a bit. Depending on the season, placing them on your counter can also be a method of storing them.
CUT AND USE
If you would rather come home and cut your microgreens so that all you have to do is grab a handful on the go, you can do that and store them in an air tight container. The key to maintaining the freshness of your greens is to make sure that they are dry before storing them.
WHERE TO CUT
Cut your microgreens with scissors at about 1/2 inch above the coconut coir mat. You consume the stems and leaves. You can rinse them and add them to your desired smoothie or dish.
LIVING GREENS
We sell our greens still attached to the growing medium which is the coconut coir mat. When you purchase your microgreens this way, it is called living microgreens. This method is beneficial in that you will cut and harvest when you get ready and experience the highest level of nutrition that microgreens have to offer. Because you are harvesting yourself, it may be helpful to know the different parts of the living microgreens.
Coconut Coir Mat- This it the growing medium that your microgreens are attached to. We sow the seeds on this mat and from here the entire growing process takes place. Depending on the stage of growth, you can see the roots, root hairs, seeds, stems and leaves all on the coconut coir mat!
Roots- The roots can be viewed at the bottom of the coconut coir mat. When the microgreens come out of germination, we bottom water. This is because the roots are sending water to the stems and that is ultimately what is keeping the microgreens alive.
Seeds- After the sprouting of the seeds, they are left behind at the bottom of the mat.
Root Hairs- Root hairs are sometimes mistaken as mold but they are apart of the root system. The fuzzy white hairs are reaching out looking for water to deliver to the plant.
Stems- The stems are an edible part of microgreens. When your microgreens are fresh, the stems will stand tall and offer a wonderful flavor!
Leaves- The first set of true leaves is how microgreens are often described. The leaves can be different colors and textures. In actuality, the leaves can be grown and harvested at both the cotyledon and first set of true leaves stage. Most of the microgreens that we sell are grown to the cotyledon stage, however certain herbs are kept under the grow lights for a longer period of time until the true leaves form. This is determined by the desired taste and look of the microgreen.
Seed Hulls- Some of the microgreens will have the seed hulls still attached upon purchasing. They are edible and can often add to the flavor and overall presentation of the microgreens.
