Curled Cress Microgreens
6 Easy Steps to Grow Curled Cress Microgreens
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Soak Seeds (Recommended)
Soak Curled Cress Microgreens Seeds in cool water for 8-12 hours. -
Prepare a Pot and Soil
Get a shallow growing tray - not more than 2 inches deep. Fill it with a seed starting potting mix. The soil level should be 1-2 inches. -
Plant Seeds
Moisten the potting soil with water using a spray bottle. Gently sprinkle seeds evenly over the soil so they are close. Spray the surface of the soil and seeds with water again. -
Germination Process
Place the tray in a spot away from direct sun exposure. Make sure the soil temperature is around 70°F. Avoid drafty spots. Moisten the soil with water using a spray bottle 3-4 times a day. Don't let the soil dry out, but also do not overwater it. -
Growing
Once seeds start sprouting, make sure you are exposing the microgreens to at least 10 hours of daylight (use a grow light if there is not enough sun). Keep the soil moist. -
Harvest
In 5-12 days microgreens will be ready to harvest. When seedlings are 1 to 2 inches tall and have about two sets of leaves, snip and prep. However, you can grow them more or less by your preferences.
Gardening Tips:
- One thing about watercress seeds is that they are mucilaginous and don't require a lot of water to germinate. Instead, it absorbs water and forms a mucous membrane around itself. To water the watercress, lightly sprinkle it.
- We recommend you water the microgreens from the corners of your containers rather than from the top to avoid damaging the leaves. In addition, the center of the container usually holds water better and requires less water than the sides.
- It takes about 8 days to grow watercress to the microgreen stage. It can take about 2 weeks to grow to the true leaf stage. Of course, both options are good and have a difference in appearance, yield, and taste. Be sure to try both options and see which one you like best!
- When harvesting, you will need a sharp knife to cut evenly. It will also prevent pulling out the soil or seed husks. When harvesting, remember one simple rule: harvest so as not to wash the greens after.
- Did you know that washing microgreens not only takes a long time but also reduces the shelf life by 50%? So, if there is no visible contamination, then I try to avoid washing. To do this, I do my best by growing cleanly and safely and minimizing litter with my harvesting technique.
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