Microgreens, those tiny, nutrient-packed versions of your favorite vegetables, are all the rage these days. But when it comes to watering these little powerhouses, things can get a bit tricky.
Just how often should you be watering your microgreens? Well, let’s dive in and find out!
What are Microgreens?
Microgreens are simply young vegetable or herb plants that are harvested within 14 days of germination. They are typically no taller than 1-3 inches and can be grown from a wide variety of seeds, including broccoli, kale, radish, and cilantro.
These little sprouts may be small in size, but they pack a huge punch when it comes to flavor and nutrients.
How Often To Water Microgreens?
When it comes to watering microgreens, the general rule of thumb is to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. This can be achieved by watering your microgreens every 1-2 days, depending on the conditions in your grow area.
However, it’s quite important to keep an eye on your microgreens, and adjust your watering schedule as necessary.
Factors That Affect Watering Frequency
Before we can discuss how often to water your microgreens, we need to consider a few key factors that will affect their watering needs. These include:
The type of microgreen
Different microgreens have different watering requirements. For example, arugula microgreens prefer a slightly drier environment, while mustard greens like a bit more moisture.
The size of the container
The larger the container, the more soil and therefore water it can hold.
The environment
The temperature, humidity, and airflow in your growing area will all affect how quickly your microgreens dry out and need to be watered.
The stage of growth
As your microgreens grow, they will require more water to sustain them.
Watering Frequency: A Breakdown
When it comes to watering your microgreens, there are a few general guidelines you can follow. These include:
Water daily during the seedling stage
During the first few days after planting, your microgreens will need to be kept consistently moist to encourage germination. A spray bottle works well for this stage of growth.
Water every other day during the early growth stage
Once your microgreens have sprouted, they will still need to be kept consistently moist, but not as wet as during the seedling stage.
Water as needed during the mature growth stage
As your microgreens mature, they will require less frequent watering. You should aim to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.
To help you keep track of your microgreen watering schedule, we’ve created this handy table of watering frequency by stage of growth:
| Stage of Growth | Watering Frequency |
| Seedling | Daily |
| Early Growth | Every Other Day |
| Mature Growth | As Needed |
Examples of proper watering
Arugula microgreens
These microgreens prefer a slightly drier environment, so you should aim to water them every other day, or even every 3 days during the mature growth stage.
Mustard greens microgreens
These microgreens like a bit more moisture, so you should aim to water them every day during the seedling stage, and every other day during the early growth stage.
Why Should You Care about Microgreens?
Let me put it to you this way: if you’re looking for a way to add some zing to your salads and sandwiches without resorting to a gallon of ranch dressing, microgreens are your new best friend.
And if you’re looking for a way to pack some extra vitamins and minerals into your diet without having to choke down a handful of supplements, microgreens are your new BFF.
But don’t just take my word for it. Studies have shown that microgreens can contain up to 40 times more nutrients than their fully grown counterparts. For example, red cabbage microgreens have been found to contain up to 69 times more vitamin E and five times more vitamin C than mature red cabbage.
Nutrition in Microgreens
The table below shows the nutritional content of some common microgreens.
| Microgreen | Vitamin C (mg/100g) | Vitamin K (µg/100g) | Vitamin E (mg/100g) |
| Red Cabbage | 5 | 90 | 1 |
| Radish | 15 | 100 | 1 |
| Arugula | 15 | 60 | 1 |
| Broccoli | 20 | 110 | 2 |
| Kale | 25 | 130 | 2 |
How to Grow and Use Microgreens
Growing microgreens is surprisingly easy, even for the most inexperienced of gardeners. All you need is a container with drainage holes, some potting soil, and a handful of seeds.
Simply spread the seeds evenly over the soil, cover with a thin layer of soil, and keep them moist until they sprout. In about a week or two, you’ll have a tray full of delicious microgreens ready to add to your meals.
Microgreens can be used in a variety of ways, but they are most commonly used as a garnish or added to sandwiches and salads. They can also be used as a flavorful and nutrient-packed addition to smoothies and juices.
Final Thoughts About Watering Microgreens!
Watering your microgreens can seem like a tricky task, but with a little bit of knowledge and a lot of attention to detail, you’ll have those little green wonders thriving in no time!
Let me know in the comments on how often do you water your microgreens?
