Microgreens?

[artichoke]

I grew some of these a few years ago and thought it was not worth the time or trouble.

However, I've had a change of heart. I am the first to admit that I have piles of old crumpled packets that I should use up before moving on to the crisp new ones. It doesn't help that named and in date packets of seeds go for 50p each in our local market.

I also have a cupboard full of old square foil takeaway/pie containers, and supermarket plastic trays none of which I can bear to throw away in case they "come in handy".

I have been stabbing the foil containers with a knife for drainage, scattering seeds over a shallow layer of compost, covering them, and placing in airing cupboard on supermarket trays to germinate, after which they will infest various window sills. So far I have used up old brassica packets, including a nightmare spillage of mixed brassicas, and a mixture of old beetroot seeds, coming up strongly..... Moving onto my aspirational pile of basil packets next. The seedlings are never going to become drawn and unhealthy because they won't live long enough.

This is clearing out my old packets, tidying up my packed cupboards, supplying us with little seedlings to add colour and flavour to salads and stir fries, salving my conscience (no wasted seeds after all), and satisfying the growing instinct so cruelly thwarted by the terrible weather.

Is anyone else doing this?

http://www.kingsseeds.co.nz/Kings+Seeds+Blog/x_post/a-sneak-preview---new-microgreens-00053.html  shows what can be grown, but of course I would never buy seed for microgreens.

[artichoke]

[pumkinlover]

Yes I am doing it, for the bunnies as well as us.
Only just started though and am using up old seed as well.
Actually the bunnies do end up with it, I just nibble a bit then succumb to those big eyes

[markfield rover]

Me too, but I did not know parsnip seedlings are poisonous!!! Also if you try sweet corn it is so sweet it still makes me shudder.

[grannyjanny]

That's because you're sweet enough MR. I keep intending to do this but HWMBO keeps finding my stash of containers . One day I will.

[markfield rover]

Thanks grannyjanny that's brightend up a Monday morning! My OH was in hoots of laughter at the thought me being a guerrilla gardener with seed bombs.

[BarriedaleNick]

Yeah I have been doing sprouted seeds and microgreens on and off for a few years.  Tired it in winter to keep me in salad but I didn't have enough light but I think early spring and late Autumn may be just bright enough - had more success with sprouts than microgreens but it does keep the sowing withdrawal at bay in the darker months!

[artichoke]

When I last did them, I let them grow a bit bigger than microgreens, snipped them down and let them grow on a bit then snipped them a bit more.

I suppose the real reason I am doing them again now is the embarrassing amounts of elderly seed packets in my seed boxes and the need to use them before they die. Something is better than nothing, and although I used rather a lot of bought compost in gutters last time, I am now using much smaller quantities in the old supermarket containers, so I think it is more economical. Like mustard and cress, but more varied.

Also I have an ambition to re-create a starter I once ate in a Dutch restaurant: a fine slice of smoked fish (salmon? trout?) rolled into a pyramid containing tiny little seedlings with beautiful colours and lively flavours (now recognised as "microgreens") with some sort of delicious dressing dotted around the plate, very stingily. I want to make a heartier version with more on the plate......

PS Our host described this restaurant as "the sort of place where they will stuff a chive"......