Microgreen Planter

• Compact and neat planter

• Grow healthy microgreens at home

• Fun activity for children

An elegant solution to growing microgreens on your countertop. 

This compact and neat planter is made from food grade virgin material. It is BPA free and incorporates an admixture of coffee grounds regranulate to give an attractive grainy finish. 

The planter consists of a plant saucer, one shallow strainer, one deep strainer, and a cap to exclude light until seeds have germinated.
Dimensions: 8cm high x 15cm diameter. 

Ideal for growing a supply of greens through the colder months when gardening outdoors may not be possible. No special maintenance is required. After use, simply wash all parts in warm water with dish soap, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry.

Microgreens are small plants that are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and can be grown year-round indoors. They have a similar taste to the adult plants, and growth rate from sowing to harvest depends on the type of seed used. 

It is recommended to only use seeds designed for sprouting or microgreen growing if they are to be consumed in this way.  

Suggested seeds to use for growing microgreens: amaranth, celery, radish (Japanese), broccoli, mizuna, beetroot, alfalfa, wheatgrass, onion, mustard greens, cabbage, sunflower, coriander. Browse all our microgreens here.

Instructions

Microgreens can be grown in three different ways using the microgreen planter - in water, using perlan or paper towel, or using absorbent gel.

Growing in Water

This method is useful for larger seeds that won't fall through the shallow strainer. 

1. Place the deep strainer into the plant saucer and pour in water up to the indented mark.
2. Place the shallow strainer into the deep strainer filled with water. The water level should touch the bottom of the shallow strainer.
3. Moisten the shallow strainer with water from a spray bottle and evenly sprinkle your seeds over it. 
4. The recommended sowing rate is to use about 5 g of seeds (approximately a full teaspoon).
5. Lightly mist the seeds with the sprayer and cover them with the cap.
6. Change the water in the saucer regularly once a day (to prevent mould).
7. After 48 hours, or depending on the size of the sprouts and if they have reached the top edge of the deep strainer, remove the cap to expose the seeds to natural light.
8. The optimum temperature for germination and growth is between 18 - 24 °C.
9. The plants will be ready for consumption from about 7-10 days, but will depend on the type of seeds used. 
10. We recommend trimming/harvesting the microgreens about 1 cm above the seeds. Mini herb or microgreen snips are ideal for this. The shallow strainer can be removed from the planter to facilitate harvesting the microgreens.
11. Wash the planter in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly and dry it before starting your next batch of  microgreens.

Growing with Paper Towel or Perlan*

This method is best for small seeds. Placing a single layer of paper towel or perlan over the surface of the shallow strainer will help prevent small seeds from falling through the strainer.

* The planter comes with a sample layer of perlan. It is a non-woven cellulose fabric and is used in the same way as you would paper towel to stop very small seeds from falling through the strainer. It can be composted, or disposed of in a biowaste bin after use.

1. Place the deep strainer into the plant saucer, and place the shallow strainer on top of it.
2. Place a single layer of paper towel (cut to size) or perlan onto the surface of the shallow strainer.
3. Moisten the paper towel or perlan with water from a spray bottle and evenly sprinkle your seeds over it. 
4. The recommended sowing rate is to use about 5 g of seeds (approximately a full teaspoon).
5. Lightly mist the seeds with the sprayer and cover them with the cap.
6. Mist the seeds regularly, several times a day (about 2-4 times), to keep the paper towel or perlan damp. Replace the cap after misting the seeds.
7. When the sprouting seeds reach the top of the deep strainer, remove the cap to expose the seeds to natural light.
8. The optimum temperature for germination and growth is between 18 - 24 °C.
9. The plants will be ready for consumption from about 7-10 days, but will depend on the type of seeds used. 
10. We recommend trimming/harvesting the microgreens about 1 cm above the seeds. Mini herb or microgreen snips are ideal for this. The shallow strainer can be removed from the planter to facilitate harvesting the microgreens.
11. The paper towel or perlan can be composted or disposed of in a biowaste bin. 
12. Wash the planter in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly and dry it before starting your next batch of  microgreens.

Growing with Gel**

** The planter comes with a sample of gel crystals. The gel is potassium-based and has excellent absorption and antiseptic properties. It is certified for contact with foods but is not edible or intended for direct consumption. 

1. Place the deep strainer into the plant saucer, and place the shallow strainer on top of it.
2. Place the gel crystals into a separate 300ml container. Pour over 170ml water and stir thoroughly. Wait 5 minutes until a thick gel is formed. 
3. Spread the gel evenly over the surface of the shallow strainer and smooth the surface.
4. Spread your seeds evenly over the surface of the gel.
5. The recommended sowing rate is to use about 5 g of seeds (approximately a full teaspoon).
6. Cover the planter with the cap for about 48 hours. During this time a microclimate will be established in the container and fine roots will begin to appear.
7. After 48 hours remove the cap to expose the seeds to natural light.
8. Mist the seeds regularly, several times a day (about 2-4 times), to keep the gel damp.
9. The optimum temperature for germination and growth is between 18 - 24 °C.
10. When the microgreens are ready for consumption (from about 7-10 days depending on the type of seeds used), trim the plants evenly at the top edge of the deep strainer. Mini herb or microgreen snips are ideal for this.
11. The gel with plant residues can be composted or disposed of by putting it in a biowaste bin.
12. Wash the planter in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly and dry it before starting your next batch of  microgreens.

Harvested microgreens wilt quickly and may lose flavour once cut, so try to cut them just before you want to use them. Unused cut microgreens can be stored in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge but they'll only last a day or so.

Product code: GDP890