The Nine Best Microgreens To Grow Hydroponically

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Microgreens can be grown through conventional methods such as soil or greener options, namely hydroponic techniques, meaning growing in water. Growing them this way means planting the seeds in water with or without a non-soil-based growing medium.

There are various reasons why one might want to cultivate microgreens hydroponics. If you have decided to try it out, you surely want to know what types of microgreens are best for this growing method. Most microgreens can be grown hydroponically, but not all microgreens perform as well as others. So, which microgreens are the best to produce hydroponically?

The best microgreens to grow hydroponically are:

  • Arugula
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Lettuce
  • Cress
  • Mustard
  • Sunflower

These microgreens offer great yield through hydroponics and proliferate easier. Moreover, these microgreens grow better in water compared to their microgreen peersFascinating and unconventional, these microgreens grow easily hydroponically, and you can get started today! 

This article will present nine microgreens, the uncontested go-to for hydroponics. 

Eco-loving, Hydroponic Friendly, And All Around Healthy

Hydroponics is not only for farmers but also if you have your indoor garden and growing microgreens at home. You can use it with a single tray or if you have a setup growing multiple microgreens at a time.

Here you can read our complete guide on how to grow microgreens hydroponically.

Why is hydroponic farming considered eco-friendly?

Using this method is the way to go, especially in the 21st century, where climate change and water stress are genuine issues. You may think that growing microgreens hydroponically will increase your water consumption, but research says otherwise. 

When it comes to growing on a large scale, hydroponics saves a lot of water. According to a study published in the International Journal of environmental research and public health, hydroponic farming dropped water usage by a significant margin compared to conventional soil methods. The proponents’ sample’s water usage dropped from 250 ± 25 liters per year (conventional, soil-grown) to only 20 ± 3.8 liters per year (hydroponic, water-grown).

Even though the above article refers to industrial agriculture, we can bring this into our homes and make a smaller impact. Not only from a water consumption perspective, but growing hydroponically is clean, and you minimize the risk of pests and other diseases.

Growing hydroponically does not come without challenges. However, to make the decision a little bit easier, we share with you nine microgreens that provide either the best yield, grow the easiest, proliferate well, or a combination of the three when produced through hydroponic methods.

The Nine Best Microgreens To Grow Hydroponically

Arugula

Arugula is one of the microgreens that you can easily grow hydroponically. It is a rewarding microgreen to plant as it grows fast and puts out roots quickly. The seeds are mucilaginous, which means that they become jelly-like.

Learn more about Arugula Microgreens.

Broccoli

Broccoli microgreens exhibit the potential to have a higher yield per land area using hydroponic farming. They are similar to Arugula, easy and fast to grow. Within 14 days, you can get yourself ready to harvest these tasty microgreens.

Learn more about Broccoli Microgreens.

Cabbage

Cabbage microgreens grow very well using hydroponic grow mats. It’s another fast-growing microgreen type that you can harvest within two weeks.

Learn more about Cabbage Microgreens.

Kale

Kale is considered a superfood, and as a microgreen type, it is definitely not short of nutrition. They have several healthful benefits, and at the same time, are low in calories. Growing Kale as a microgreen is fast and great to grow hydroponically.

Learn more about Kale Microgreens.

Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi is one of our favorites to grow hydroponically, not only because it is easy, but quickly it will grow roots and beautiful purple stems. Kohlrabi microgreens aren’t all looks, though. They are jam-packed with nutrition and taste good.

Learn more about Kohlrabi Microgreens.

Lettuce

Its low skill requirement makes lettuce microgreens a perfect example of a great type of hydroponic produce to grow. Lettuce is one of the easiest microgreens to grow hydroponically. If you are a beginner at hydroponics, you might want to try lettuce microgreens.

Cress 

Cress microgreens are amazing for hydroponic growth. Their ability to adapt makes them a suitable crop for unconventional methods such as this. Cress is easy to grow and ready to be harvested already after 10-12 days. The seeds are small, and they are mucilaginous.

Learn more about Cress Microgreens.

Mustard

Mustard s another fast-growing microgreen suitable for hydroponic growing. These seeds germinate fast, and you can prepare for harvest within two weeks.

Learn more about Mustard Microgreens.

Sunflower

This microgreen may not look as gorgeous as the full-grown flower, but they are oh-so-tasty. Growers rave over these for their crunchiness, high-level of nutrition, and how easy they are to grow. This combination is a winner. You can plant the seeds using hydroponic growing mats and enjoy them after a week!

Learn more about Sunflower Microgreens.

Summary

There are different ways to grow microgreens and hydroponically is one way. You have to decide what approach you want to take. There is no better way, but you will find out what works best for you. We prefer growing hydroponically, and mostly use coconut coir or organic growing mats. As home growers, it makes the process clean, without pests, and we know that we get good results over and over. Hydroponic is an interesting and rewarding growing method.

The nine microgreens we have listed are great for growing hydroponically. They are all fast-growing and rewarding. You don’t need to invest in expensive equipment, it’s a clean process without soil, and you can provide yourself a success with high yield over and over. It is a novel growing method that allows certain microgreens to utilize their strengths fully.

LEARN: How To Grow Microgreens Hydroponically

Frequently Asked Questions About Microgreens And Hydroponic Farming

How Long Does It Take To Grow Microgreens Hydroponically?

You can harvest most hydroponically grown microgreens within two to four weeks of planting. These microgreens grow marginally better compared to conventionally grown microgreens.

What Are The Benefits Of Hydroponic Farming?

Hydroponic farming has reusable water, cutting water costs. Moreover, they are sanitary and provide the grower with extensive control.
In industrial farming, they save land space as they can be grown vertically. Also, the method makes plants grow faster, requires less labor and produces more yield.

Microgreens Corner
Microgreens Corner
We are Janette & Jesper, and we love microgreens.

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