A Step-By-Step Guide for Growing Carrot Microgreens: DIY in Simple Way from Seeds in Containers

Carrots are a popular and versatile vegetable used in many different dishes. They can be eaten raw, cooked, or juiced. Carrots are also a good source of vitamins and minerals. Carrot microgreens are a nutrient-rich, miniature version of the Carrot plant that can be grown indoors or outdoors. Growing your Carrot microgreens is a great option if you’re looking for a simple method to add more nutrition to your diet.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Growing Carrot Microgreens

Why Grow Carrot Microgreens?

Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene, converted to vitamin A. Microgreens are a nutrient-dense food, meaning they pack a lot of nutrition into a small package.
Carrot microgreens are easy to grow and add to any meal. In addition to being an excellent nutrient source, Carrot microgreens are also very easy to grow. They can be grown in any container with drainage holes and only need a few inches of soil.

Steps for Growing Carrot Microgreens Without Soil

Carrot microgreens are a fantastic way to add a nutritious, flavorful punch to your meals, and they’re incredibly easy to grow at home.
Fill a container with an inch or two of lukewarm water.
Place your Carrot seeds in the water and allow them to soak for 24 hours.
After 24 hours, drain the water and rinse the seeds.
Place the rinsed seeds on a damp paper towel or kitchen towel.
Roll up the towel tightly, ensuring the seeds are well-covered.
Place the towel in a warm, dark place (a cupboard or drawer works well). Allow the seeds to germinate for 3-5 days. Keep an eye on them and ensure they don’t dry out – mist them with water if necessary.
Unroll the towel and transfer the seeds to a sunny windowsill or grow light once the seeds have germinated. Ensure they get plenty of light – at least 6 hours per day. Water as needed, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.

Carrot Varieties Growing as Microgreens

Regarding Carrot varieties, quite a few work well as microgreens. The more popular ones include ‘Nantes,’ ‘Danvers,’ and ‘Imperator.’ However, any variety of Carrots will work as a microgreen.

Water and Nutrient Requirements for Growing Carrot Microgreens

When growing Carrot microgreens, it is important to ensure they have enough water and nutrients. The best method is to start with a soil mix high in organic matter and good drainage. You can add some compost or other organic matter to the soil before planting.

Water the soil thoroughly before planting the seeds. Then, water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not wet. You may want to water more often in hot weather. Fertilize the plants when they are about 4 inches tall using a general-purpose fertilizer diluted according to the package directions. Apply the fertilizer every two weeks or as needed based on plant growth.

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Step by Step to Grow Carrot Microgreens

1. Any shallow container, such as a recycled egg carton or take-out container for growing Carrot microgreens, will work. Just make sure it has drainage holes so the water can drain out. You need to pick the right type of container. It should be shallow and have drainage holes, so the roots don’t rot. You can use a recycled plastic clamshell or an egg carton filled with potting mix. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s clean and sterile.

2. Once you have your container, it’s time to add your potting mix. You want to use a light and fluffy mix that drains well. Some good options include vermiculite, perlite, or coco coir. Avoid using heavy soils like garden soil or compost, as they will compact and suffocate the roots.

3. You don’t need much, just enough to cover the bottom of the container. If you’re using a recycled container, clean it thoroughly first. Place your container on a saucer or tray to catch any water leaking through the drainage holes.

4. Water your potting or seed-starting mix until it is evenly moist but not soggy. Use your finger to make a small indentation in the center of the soil. Gently sprinkle 2-3 seeds into the indentation and lightly cover them with soil.

5. Place your container in a bright, sunny spot and moisten the soil by watering as needed. Once the seeds have germinated and developed their first set of true leaves, thin out the seedlings so that only the strongest one remains in each cell or pot.

6. Place your Carrot seeds on the soil and lightly press them in. You don’t need to plant them very deep enough so they won’t blow away when you water them.

7. Water the Carrot seeds until the soil is moist but not soggy, and then place the container in a sunny spot. Keep an eye on the soil and water to keep it moist but not soggy.

8. Once your Carrot microgreens have germinated and are about 2-3 inches tall, it’s time to thin them out. This means removing some of the seedlings, so the remaining plants have enough space to grow.

9. To do this, look at your seedlings and decide which ones are the healthiest and most vigorous. Gently pull up the weaker seedlings, careful not to damage the roots of the stronger ones. You can compost the removed seedlings or replant them elsewhere.

10. Thinning out your Carrot microgreens may seem like a waste of time and effort, but ensuring that your plants are healthy and productive is important. By giving them more space to grow, you’re giving them the best chance to thrive.

11. It’s time to harvest your Carrot microgreens. You can start harvesting when the greens are about 2-3 inches tall. Use sharp scissors or a knife to cut the greens at the soil level. Be sure to leave some greens behind so the plant can continue growing. After harvesting, rinse the greens with water and enjoy.

When to Harvest Carrot Microgreens?

Carrot microgreens are usually ready to harvest 10-14 days after planting. The ideal time to harvest Carrot microgreens is when the greens are 2-3 inches tall. If you wait too long, they will become bitter. To harvest, snip the greens at the base with scissors. You can also pull up the entire seedling by the root. Rinse off any dirt and enjoy.

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Conclusion

Microgreens are a type of vegetable grown from a plant’s seed. Growing Carrot microgreens is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. With a little care, you can easily grow them in containers without investing much time or money. Carrot microgreens are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K and antioxidants.

A Step-By-Step Guide for Growing Carrot Microgreens: DIY in Simple Way from Seeds in Containers