Spruce up your homemade dishes with easy-to-grow microgreens in Singapore. We’ve got all the tips you need!
What are microgreens, you ask? As their name implies, they’re micro versions of their full-grown counterparts. While they’re tiny and harvested early, they’re also flavourful and actually have a more dense nutrient profile than full-grown vegetables. You might’ve seen chefs in Singapore using microgreens as flavour enhancements or colourful garnishes on plates, or maybe you’ve spotted them as ingredients in skincare products!
Are they nutritional? You betcha. Microgreens are a great way to get your vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They’re rich in vitamins C, E and carotenoids, and are chock full of minerals like potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium and copper. All these are great for skin health and help to reduce inflammation.
So, ready to start growing your own microgreens at home?
Popular, easy and versatile microgreens to grow in Singapore
1. Arugula
Arugula microgreens are super easy to grow. They’re full of calcium and iron, and their peppery flavour makes them great for salads, sandwiches and eggs. They grow quickly, too: you’ll see germination after two to three days.
Flavour profile: Peppery
Soak: No
Plant: Day 1
Time to harvest: 8-10 days
2. Broccoli
Broccoli is said to be the most nutrient-dense microgreen and has the power to decrease malnutrition. It’s perfect for impatient individuals, as it can be ready to harvest in as little as six days! Tip: it’s best to harvest before the first leaves form. Broccoli microgreens offer an abundance of vitamins A and C, as well as iron, calcium and fibre. They also contain sulforaphane, which helps fight cancer, diabetes and ageing.
A shallow tray with drainage holes and a watering dish placed underneath will do the trick. Choose a fine grain seed soil (or coco coir works great). Water from below, on the water tray, and place it on the windowsill where it can capture natural sunlight.
Flavour profile: Earthy, mild broccoli taste
Soak: No
Plant: Day 1
Time to harvest: 1 week (they should be 2-3 inches tall)
3. Radish
Radish microgreens are perfect for first-time growers as they grow like weeds. You’ll see results within seven days and they can be harvested in as little as 10 days. Use a shallow potting tray with a water tray underneath. Get premium potting soil and scatter the seeds across. Spritz water with a spray bottle and let the seeds germinate for two to three days by covering them with a lid. Once you see them germinating, remove the lid and place them in optimum sunlight. Fill the watering tray with one-quarter inch of water so they can be watered from below.
Flavour profile: Spicy, red radish taste
Soak: No
Plant: Day 1
Germination: 2-3 days
Time to harvest: 6-10 weeks (they should be 2-3 inches tall)
4. Kale
Kale is a superfood and a lot can be said for its miniature version. From reducing the risk of cancer to improving eye health and boosting your immune system, kale microgreens are oh-so-mighty! They’re great for sandwiches and salads when you want a bolder flavour.
You’ll need a 2-inch growing tray with a watering tray underneath. Moisten the soil and scatter seeds across. Place it on top of the watering tray, spray with a mister on top and place the tray in a dark area. It’ll take two to three days for the seeds to germinate. Once the first signs of germination occur, it’s time for some sunlight. Keep the soil moist by filling the watering tray one-quarter inch each day (just make sure the potting medium is no more than one to two inches deep).
Flavour profile: Fresh, mild, bitter notes
Soak: No
Plant: Day 1
Germination: 2-3 days
Time to harvest: 8-12 days
If you’re growing microgreens in a clean area, you don’t have to wash them. Just snip them about half an inch above the soil line during their optimum harvest period. It’s best to use microgreens while they’re fresh, but you can also store them in a sealed container wrapped in a paper towel in the crisper section of your fridge for up to a week.
Plate like a MasterChef
We don’t recommend cooking microgreens, as the high heat reduces their nutritional content. Need any ideas on how to add microgreens to your food? Try sprinkling them on pizzas, tossing them in salads, blending them into pesto sauces or mixing them into rice dishes for added flavour. Other alternatives include adding them to pasta, soup, sandwiches, burgers and toast. The options are endless!
There are loads of benefits to growing your own microgreens in Singapore. The convenience, health perks and satisfaction all stack up as reasons for you to give these baby greens a shot.