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Looking for an easy and fun way to grow your own vegetables? Try growing sunflower microgreens!
Sunflower Microgreens Key Takeaways:
- To cultivate sunflower microgreens, begin by soaking sunflower seeds for 12 hours to aid quicker germination.
- Post soaking, spread the seeds evenly on your chosen growing medium in a shallow container, cover with about ½ inch of soil mix, and moisten the soil without over-saturating it.
- Place the container in a well-lit area or under a grow light, ensuring a light exposure of 12-16 hours daily for healthy growth.
- Keep the soil moist by misting it daily. The seeds will sprout within 3-5 days.
- In about two weeks, when they reach a height of 3-4 inches, they are ready for harvest.
- Cut the greens at the soil line and enjoy them fresh in salads, sandwiches, or as garnishes.
Sunflower microgreens are very tasty and also a great source of vitamins and minerals, and they are very easy to grow.
In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of sunflower microgreens, as well as how to grow them.
What Are Sunflower Microgreens?
Sunflower microgreens are a type of green that is harvested when the sunflower plant is very young. They are a popular addition to salads and can be used as a garnish or as an ingredient in soups, sandwiches, and wraps.
Microgreens are a nutrient-dense food and are a good source of vitamins A, C, and E. They also contain minerals such as iron, magnesium, and potassium.
Sunflower microgreens can be grown year-round and are relatively easy to grow. They do not require much space and can be grown in soil or even hydroponically.
Growing Sunflower Microgreens
Sunflower microgreens are a great source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins A, C, and E. They are also a good source of protein and fiber.
Sunflower seeds are actually the most popular microgreen. They have a sweet nutty flavor that people really like.
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
The best variety to grow for microgreens is Black Oil Sunflower seeds. You want to make sure you buy sunflower seeds sold specifically for sprouting and microgreens.
Some sunflower seeds are sold as bird feed and are treated to prevent sprouting.
How To Grow Sunflower Microgreens
Sunflower microgreens are very easy to grow, and they can be grown in any type of shallow container.
You can use recycled food containers or 1020 seed flats.
Of course, you will need some sunflower seeds.
You can use regular potting mix as your soil but I think coco coir is an even better choice.
You can buy microgreen germination sheets that you can fit into your trays. They are made from coco or jute.
You can even use multiple layers of paper towels in your tray. Try to use plain paper towels that haven’t been dyed.
Before you plant your seeds you will want to soak them for at least 12 hours. You want to soften the shell. If you don’t the seedlings may have a hard time freeing themselves from it.
After soaking it’s time to grow sunflower microgreens. Simply sow the seeds on top of the potting mix and water them well.
You will want to sow the seeds thickly so they are almost touching one another. We want a lot of small microgreens coming up.
They don’t need thinning because they will be harvested in 2 weeks while 3-4 inches tall.
Place the pot in a warm spot and keep the soil moist. They don’t need light just yet. Some people cover them with a dome or a paper towel until they sprout.
I don’t like to use a dome over sprouting seeds. I think the lack of air leads to fungus problems like damping off.
Instead, lightly mist your plants a few times a day. That way they can stay moist but still breathe.
The seeds will germinate in 7-10 days.
Water the seedlings regularly but don’t overwater them. You really don’t need to fertilize them either. Harvest the microgreens when they are 3-4 inches tall.
Give Them Plenty Of Light
You want these plants to grow fast. To do that they need a lot of light. In most cases, even a sunny windowsill won’t be enough.
If they don’t get enough light they will etiolate (stretch and get leggy). You want to grow leaves and not stems.
So put your plants under a LED grow light for 12-16 hours a day. Use a timer to turn it off and on otherwise you might forget.
Once the greens have reached 3-4 inches in height, they are ready to harvest. Cut the greens at the soil line using scissors and enjoy them fresh.
Try A Sunflower Microgreen Salad
To make a sunflower microgreen salad, simply mix the microgreens with some chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. Add a dressing of your choice, and enjoy!
Growing Sunflower Microgreens Final Thoughts
Sunflower microgreens are an easy way to add some extra nutrition and flavor to your diet.
They only take a few days to sprout and a few weeks to mature, and they can be used in salads, as a garnish, or as an ingredient in recipes.
Sunflower microgreens are a fun and easy way to get started in gardening, Not only are they easy to grow but they’re also nutritious and delicious.
Follow the steps outlined below and you will soon be enjoying your own sunflower microgreens growing. Here’s how:
How to Grow Sunflower Microgreens
Here’s a step-by-step guide to growing your own sunflower microgreens.
What You’ll Need:
• a seed starting mix
• a shallow container (I like to use seed flats)
• sunflower seeds
• a spray bottle
• a sunny windowsill or grow light (if you don’t have a sunny windowsill)
What To Do
1. Soak your sunflower seeds in water for 12 hours. This helps them germinate faster.
2. Drain the seeds and spread them evenly on the soil in your container.
3. Cover the seeds with ½ inch of soil mix, and mist with water until the mix is moist but not soggy.
4. Place the container on a sunny windowsill or under a grow light, and mist with water daily to keep the mix moist.
5. The seeds will sprout in 3-5 days. Continue to mist with water daily.
6. Your sunflower microgreens will be ready to harvest in about 2 weeks when 3-4 inches tall. Cut the greens at the soil line using scissors, and enjoy them fresh.
Day 14 Growing Sunflower Microgreens Harvest Time
Here is a video taken 14 days after seeding my sunflower microgreens. They are starting to show their true leaves so I decided to harvest them.
The alfalfa is ready too and was actually seeded a couple of days later. These are my first microgreen grows. I am very happy with using the coco grow mats.
In hindsight, I could have used more sunflower microgreens seeds per tray.
How to use sunflower microgreens? They are sweet and crunchy. They are good in salads or sandwiches.
I had quite a bit so I lightly steamed some of my sunflower microgreens and added some butter. Very good! Much better than spinach or chard greens.
The alfalfa grown this way tastes similar to sprouts but has more flavor and more nutrition because it has green leaves.
I plan on growing some new microgreens soon. I might try radishes and broccoli or kale next time.
Sunflower Microgreen FAQs
Embarking on the journey of cultivating sunflower microgreens may bring forth a myriad of questions.
This FAQ section is here to help guide you through the process, addressing common queries from the initial growing stages to enjoying the harvest.
Whether you are curious about the growing medium, the lighting requirements, or the nutritional benefits of sunflower microgreens, we have got you covered.
Dive into the answers below to foster a smooth, enjoyable growing experience.
Q. What are the steps to grow sunflower microgreens without soil?
A. Sunflower microgreens can indeed be grown without soil. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
• Soak the seeds overnight.
• Drain and place them in a colander for a while.
• Transfer the seeds to a growing container.
• Decide on the right time to harvest, generally when they reach 3-4 inches in height.
• Store them in a cool, dry place if not consumed immediately.
Q. Can sunflower microgreens be grown in mediums other than soil?
A. Absolutely! Sunflower microgreens thrive in coconut fiber (coco coir) as it provides ample room for root growth, making it an effective soil alternative.
Q. How long should sunflower seeds be soaked before planting?
A. Sunflower seeds should be soaked for at least 12 hours before planting to soften the shell, aiding in faster germination.
Q. What is the ideal container for growing sunflower microgreens?
A. Any shallow container works for growing sunflower microgreens. Recycled food containers or 1020 seed flats are commonly used. Ensure the container is placed in a sunny spot or under a grow light to provide the necessary light for growth.
Growing Sunflower Microgreens Final Thoughts
Sunflower microgreens are a fun and easy way to get started in gardening, and they’re also nutritious and delicious.
Follow the steps outlined above and you will soon be enjoying your own sunflower microgreens. Give them a try today!
