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What are Microgreens?
Microgreen • Seedlings that are harvested at the first true leaf
Production stage and sold with the stem, cotyledon (seed
leaves) and first true leaves attached. Usually
vegetables and herbs.
Jennifer Morganthaler, M.S.
Missouri State University
Darr College of Agriculture
Greenhouse and High Tunnel Workshop
October 17‐18, 2018
Benefits of Growing Micro Greens
• Relatively easy to grow
• Short cropping time (7‐10 days)
• Year round production
• Minimal space required
• Colorful
• Tender texture
• Flavorful
• High nutritional value
Nutritional Value Nutrient Assessment
• Study by Gene Lester Ph.D. USDA‐ARS
• Microgreens are rich • Objective: to analyze the concentration of vitamins
in nutrients and and carotenoids in 25 varieties of microgreens
often contain higher
nutrient levels than
their mature
counter parts
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Top 5 Microgreens
Nutrients Assessment Rich in Ascorbic Acid (Vc)
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5
• Nutrients analyzed:
1) Ascorbic Acid (Vc)
2) Phylloquinone (VK1)
3) Tocopherols (VE)
4) Carotenoids: β‐Carotene,
Lutein/zeaxanthin,and violaxanthin.
147.0 ± 3.6 131.6 ± 2.9 95.8 ± 10.3 90.8 ± 2.7 90.1 ± 2.7
Red cabbage Garnet China rose Opal basil Opal radish
amaranth beet
Gene Lester, Ph.D. USDA-ARS Gene Lester, Ph.D. USDA-ARS
Top 5 Microgreens
Total ascorbic acid (Vc) Rich in Phylloquinone (VK1)
3-fold 1
Gene Lester, Ph.D. USDA-ARS
Gene Lester, Ph.D. USDA-ARS
Top 5 microgreens
Phylloquinone (VK1) Rich in α‐Tocopherols (VE)
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5
Vs
.
87.4 ± 15.9 53.0 ± 13.5 47.7 ± 14.6 41.2 ± 3.7 35.0 ± 6.8
Microgreens: Mature = 4 :1 Green Cilantro Opal radish Peppercress Pea tendrils
daikon (mg/100 mg FW)
Gene Lester, Ph.D. USDA-ARS radish Gene Lester, Ph.D. USDA-ARS
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Top 5 Microgreens
Tocopherols (VE) Rich in Carotenoids
• No. 1 Cilantro
Top 4 Nutrients Concentrated Species
Carotenoids
1. Green Daikon
Radish
2. Garnet Amaranth
Vs .
3. Cilantro
4. Red Cabbage
Cilantro microgreens Mature cilantro
Considerations Prior to Growing Growing Microgreens
• Do you have a market demand? If so what •Where?
quantities? • Greenhouse
• Space needed to meet that requirement? • Other protected area
• Will you produce single, mixes or both? • Personal Use ‐ Kitchen
• How will you package, sale or deliver? •How?
• Sources for supplies? • Potting mix
• Do you have the time and labor for • Hydroponic
planting, watering, harvesting, packing etc.?
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Popular Microgreens Easiest to Grow
• Cauliflower • Fennel • Broccoli • Arugula • Kale
• Broccoli • Celery • Kale • Broccoli • Kohlrabi
• Cabbage • Garlic • Radish • Lettuce
• Watercress • Onion • Swiss Chard • Brussel Sprouts
• Radish • Leek • Cress • Buckwheat • Mustard
• Arugula • Amaranth • Cilantro • Red Clover
• Lettuce • Swiss Chard • Legumes • Cabbage
• Sunflower
• Endive • Beet, Spinach • Peas • Cauliflower
• Chicory • Melon • Lentils • Wheatgrass
• Radicchio • Cucumber • Beans • Chia
• Dill • Squash • Endive
• Carrot • Mustard greens
Challenging Microgreens Getting Started
Moderate Difficulty Difficult • Determine What to Grow
• Celery Leaf • Amaranth • Gather Supplies
• Corn Shoots • Basil • Planting Media
• Trays
• Fennel • Beets
• Covers
• Leeks • Chard • Heating mat, circulation fans, and lighting
• Peas • Chives (indoor or offseason)
• Sorrel • Cilantro • Seeds
• Spinach • Cress
Seed Selection Seed Sowing (Soil)
• Sow seeds into a 1020 flat with no holes
• Start simple
• Place 4 cups water in tray first then add media
• Select a few varieties or a prepackaged mix
• Soil mix – germinating mix or pre mixed
• Diversify later
• Fill tray with 1 ‐1 ½ inches soil (leave room for
• Desired size of finished product major factor harvest). Press soil surface.
• Days to harvest can vary from 2 ‐ 4 weeks • Starting in the corners ‐ broadcast seed thickly on
• Sow seeds according to needs and times for growing medium
optimal size and flavor • Press seeds firmly for maximum soil contact
• Trial and Error as some grow faster • Mist with spray bottle or mist nozzle
• Keep records!!!! • Cover tray (3‐5 days; varies per crop)
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Seed Sowing (Hydroponic) Seed Density
• Sow seeds into a 1020 flat with no holes • Small seeds
• Place 1 cups water in tray first then add media • 10‐12 seeds per square inch
• Hydroponic growing mat or material • 3 grams
• Growing mat biodegradable wood fibers • Large seeds
• 6‐8 seeds per square inch
• Starting in the corners ‐ broadcast seed thickly on
• 25 grams
growing medium
• Practice
• Mist with spray bottle or mist nozzle • Too dense – no air
• Cover tray (3‐5 days; varies per crop) • Too spare – difficult to
harvest
Watering & Fertility Temperature
• Consistent moisture for best • Germinate using heat mats,
germination germination chambers or
• Mist 1‐2 times a day greenhouse bench
• Do not keep media saturated at • Ideal soil temperature for
all times to avoid disease germination varies by crop
• Must be gentle to avoid • Ambient air temp of 65‐75°F
washing seeds out is generally a good range
• Generally do not need fertilizer
• Temperatures above 75°F can
• Media will provide most as long increase disease pressure and
as it has some nutrient value
slow germination
• Fertilizing can give off flavor
Air Circulation Lighting
• Dense planting can restrict air flow • Additional lighting may be needed if
• Best Practices to avoid problems: natural light is insufficient
• Use clean media and water • Supplemental lighting can reduce time
• Use correct seed density from seed to harvest up to 20%
• Ensure horizontal air flow within the • Greenhouse lighting is generally
greenhouse sufficient
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• Prone to damping off due to poor air
flow
• Can get mold due to dense planting
• Proper watering and airflow reduce
occurrence
• KEY: Know the difference between root
hairs and mold
https://www.growformore.com/microgreens/how-to-recognize-handle-and-prevent-mold-on-microgreens/
Days to Harvest 10‐15‐18
• QUICK QUICK QUICK
• Each day can make a difference
• Days to maturity vary with each crop
• Depends on market for size and flavor
• Average is 2 weeks up to 4 weeks
10‐16‐18 10‐16‐18
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Harvesting
Harvesting
Methods
• Typically at 1st set of
true leaves with • Scissors
cotyledons attached • Sharp Kitchen
• 1‐2 inches tall Knife
• Appearance and • Compact Grass
taste will let you Shear
know
• Takes practice
Yield
Trial 1
• Vary within crop
Date Date Amount
and size of plant at Variety Seeded Harvested Seeded (g) Yield (g)
harvest
Hong Vit 8‐7‐18 8‐22‐18 15 grams 30 grams
• Larger seeded crops Radish (15 days)
tend to yield higher
Spicy Micro 8‐7‐18 8‐23‐18 5 grams 30 grams
volume faster Mix (16 days)
Marketing Packaging & Delivery
• MUST evaluate YOUR market • Sold by loose weight, clamshell or bag
• Chefs • Biodegradable options for clamshells and bags
• Schools • Can be sold as live plant – let customer cut them
• Farmers’ Markets • Refrigeration is a must
• Health Food Stores • Washing reduces overall appearance and shelf life
• Considered a luxury item • Must follow food safety rules
• Must make sure buyer knows your growing site and
• Currently perform best in upscale markets that you did not wash and that this is acceptable
• We WANT to change that • HIGHLY PERISHABLE
• EVERYONE NEEDS MICROGREENS! • Need a cooler if making delivery
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Pricing Profitability
• Must cover costs of production •Several Factors
• Materials, labor, overhead • Materials
• Typical target price point for • Time
Microgreens is $40.00 per lb. • Labor
• $$$ Hold on just a minute… • Yield
• 1 lb. ~ 454 grams • Price and Market Demand
• 454 grams/30 grams clamshell = 15 clamshells
• $40.00/15 clamshells = $2.67 each
Estimated Costs Estimated Income
Costs Revenue
Fixed Costs 10 x 20 Trays $1.00/Tray Production 8‐12 oz. per Tray
Variable Costs Seeds <$15 lb. Pricing $2.50 oz.
($1.00/Tray)
Soil ~ $1.00/Tray Revenue $30 minimum per Tray
Water Negligible for small
crops This will vary per crop and does not include your time, but
Packaging Varies your original cost is $2.00‐4.00 per tray
Total $2.00‐4.00/Tray
Questions