Defeated by tiny little greens, microgreens in fact

I don't like to admit failure but there comes a time when it is just not worth keeping up the fight. The microgreens just didn't do what a) I expected them to, or b) do it fast enough. I've had enough expereince growing things, these suckers were just too slow. They had moisture and light, but never seemed to get going.

In the end they smelled bad. I don't want to eat that!

I take full responsibility, they didn't fail, I failed them. I'm pretty disappointed but then again, a meal did not depend on them, they were going to be a pretty garnish for goodness sake.

I'll try again sometime, or just focus on the coming spring.  Failure is OK as long as you learn from it.

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

 The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener

I spoke too soon - Microgreens making a comeback

Last post the microgreens were looking rather dire. I started using the cover to trap some heat  and moisture during the night and the greens have come back strong. Perhaps I'll get something out of it yet!

You can see some of the tiny secondary leaves starting. That is what I've been waiting for! At some point I hope to top some sauteed fish with them.

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener

Micro greens 13 days in

Still growing but no second set of leaves yet - allegedly in another 4-7 days.

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener

10 days in and no Secondary leaves

So here we are 10 days into the micro greens.

They look healthy, they are growing but there are no secondary leaves. Oh well, time is all we have and when they do their thing, I'll harvest them.


Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener

Microgreens Day 7

As exciting as watching sprouts grow, wait that's what we are doing. Each morning and night I spritz with water, and rotate the bed. Everyday the tiny sprouts stretch and reach for the light. If shot in time elapse and sped up, They would be waving like the crowd at at an ABBA concert.

Here they are:

Cute little fella's huh? Another few days and we'll be snacking on them!

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener

Microgreen progress after 5 days

Here they are after days three and four respectively.  There seems to be some light fuzzy mold on some of them. If it doesn't clear up after the lid has come off, I'll start over again. Why the mold? I'm not sure. Maybe too wet, not enough air circulation, not warm enough?

Day 3

Day 4

Day 4 closeup 

Update: It's only been about 2 hours since the above pics post and the fuzziness is clearing up already!
Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!



The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener

Starting Micro Greens

It's snowing, the middle of January, and here in Zone 5a there's nothing happening outdoors in the garden remotely resembling green growth. Not for several months anyway.

With that in mind, there is no need to wait to start some new life, new life that will be delicious!

Mico greens differ from sprouts in that sprouts can be done without any soil and are harvested before the second set of leaves (after the cotyledon) form.

Personally I'm not big on sprouts though I know many people love them. They do add crunch to salads, stir fry,s and sandwiches.  Enjoy them in good health!

Micro greens typically are harvested at 10-14 days after germination, grown in shallow soil, and kept moist. They have the flavor of the adult plant in a more subtle fashion.

Let's get started, shall we?




I'll keep them moist and covered with paper towel until they start pushing it up, at which point I'll remove it.

This is a quick project to get started and a super way to teach children about plants and introduce them to gardening!



Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener