Welcome to iGrow News, Your Source for the World of Indoor Vertical Farming
Harvesting Microgreens
Harvesting Microgreens
May 15, 2018
How microgreens is treated during harvest will play an important role in how fast it starts losing nutritional value. No matter what the variety, as soon as a microgreen is harvested it starts to degrade. The more the cellular structure of the plant is damaged during this process, the faster the loss of nutrients. To keep its nutritional integrity, one should put as little stress on the plant during the harvesting process.
Microgreens should be harvested in the coolest part of the day and quickly put into refrigeration. You can see why the scale is so important here. The bigger the farm, the less attention is paid to each variety and the ideal harvesting conditions it requires. Quality of produce is often replaced by the vast quantities needed to be harvested. The small farmer is able to skillfully harvest each microgreens tray, keeping as much of its nutrition intact as possible.
After microgreens have been harvested, they go through the packing and transportation stage. During this process, the temperature at which the produce is being held determines the speed in which it loses its nutrients. Evidence of this is shown by Penn State researchers Luke Laborde and Srilatha Pandrangi. Their testing was on the speed of nutrient loss in spinach after harvest. It showed that the warmer spinach is held, the quicker it loses its nutritional value. Their research showed that even when held at a steady 39 degrees F (refrigeration temperatures), most of its nutrients were lost after eight days.
Based on this research, much of the microgreens available to us has already lost the majority of its nutritional value. This especially true when we are looking at perishable greens. Even on the west coast, where much of the country's produce is grown, the majority of the microgreens sold in stores are already several days old. When you look at the extra time it takes to ship all over the country, you can start seeing why local food is so important. The average time that it takes our produce to get from the fields into our homes has increased in the last century as our farms have become fewer and farther away. Not only does this affect the nutritional content of the produce available to us but it also has a substantial environmental impact with the fossil fuel consumption it requires.
If you enjoyed this, you might also enjoy these posts:
Foolproof Growing Tips For Microgreens
Foolproof Growing Tips For Microgreens
February 27, 2018
Ever feel like growing microgreens is a bit like being stuck in a blizzard? We promise that these foolproof tips will help you out a lot. Growing microgreens doesn't have to be brain science. It should be like strolling on a tropical island with no worry in the world. Easier said than done, right? We sure wish that someone would've told us these tips when we were first attempting to harvest.
Water Quality
At the start of a microgreens crop, a hydroponic system is filled with water. Water is continually being lost from the system, mainly through the leaves of the microgreens crop by a process known as transpiration. The volume of water in the system is, however, maintained constant by the automatic replacement of the water that is lost. This is achieved by a float valve in the catchment tank, which allows water to flow into the microgreens system from an external source as required. This makeup water will normally contain dissolved substances in it. The nature and quantity of the substances in solution in the water will differ by locality. If these substances are not removed from the water by the microgreens crop plants at a faster rate than they are being supplied in the makeup water, then their concentration in the recirculating water in the microgreens system will increase, until a concentration of one ion will be reached at which growth is adversely affected, and eventually a toxic concentration will occur. The best water for growing microgreens is rainwater or water condensed from the moisture-laden air. Water from these two sources has virtually no dissolved substances in it. Consequently, there is no build-up of excess ions coming into a hydroponic installation with the makeup water.
Filtration
Very little filtration should be required in a microgreen hydroponic system. If the makeup water does not contain solid particles in suspension, and if the method of supporting the young microgreens plants does not release solid particles into the recirculating solution, then filtration will not be necessary. The only precaution to take would be to site the inlet of the circulation pump in the catchment tank, as far as possible from any solution returning from the microgreens hydroponic system to the tank, and also near the surface of the solution in the tank. the tank will act as a sedimentation tank and the solution recirculated by the pump will thus be drawn from the clear solution near the surface. Yet, if there is a problem with solid particles in suspension, a course filter should be fitted over the outlet end of the catchment pipe so that the returning solution discharges into the tank through the filter.
Root Death
In a microgreens crop, the root system can be inspected readily. Consequently, if any roots should die. their demise is quickly seen and observed in all its tragedy. Roots are so basic. If too many roots should die, will not the whole microgreens plant die? In soil grown microgreens crop, the death of roots cannot be seen. The phenomenon of root death has been most extensively studied in tomatoes. Three english research workers at the Chestnut Experiment Station (Leonard, Head and Cooper) in the 50s, using glass sided inspection trenches dug besides rows of soil grown tomatoes, recorded the root growth visible through the glass. All three workers studied plants from December sowing dates, because at the time, most commercial tomato crops in southern England were not sown before December. They all reported a sudden and marked loss of roots in the month of May; from 50% to 90% of the roots visiblein the glass panel suddenly died and decomposed. The phenomenon was given the name of the 'May Check', because there was also a reduction in the growth rates of the tops of the plants.
Without these tips, you'd possibly be stuck in These tips are foolproof. If you follow these basic guidelines you can't possibly go wrong. These are the essentials needed to grow microgreens. Remember consistency is key!
If you enjoyed this, you might also enjoy these post:
February 23, 2018
Facts about the microgreens grow system
February 20, 2018
Supercharge your hydroponics setup
February 16, 2018
February 13, 2018
Key health benefits of microgreens
February 9, 2018
Beginners guide to plant nutrition
February 6, 2018
Understanding water pH in hydroponics
February 1, 2018
January 29, 2018
Understanding coco coir as a grow medium
Tags: microgreens growing microgreens growing tips hydroponic system
Facts About The Microgreens Grow System
The microgreens grow system utilizing complete bio-hydroponic nutrients, plant-based growing media, and virtually no pest control (10-day growth cycles eliminate most pest problems).
Facts About The Microgreens Grow System
February 20, 2018
How’d you like to learn facts about microgreens grow system built out of plastic and metal, it runs on a couple of small water pumps and a timer.
The microgreens grow system utilizing complete bio-hydroponic nutrients, plant-based growing media, and virtually no pest control (10-day growth cycles eliminate most pest problems). The system is comprised of PVC grow ‘channels’ arranged on the steel frame or ‘rack’. Each shelf is four or five channels wide by eight channels high. This vertical, stacked system makes the most efficient use of your indoor space, increasing your production capacity over traditional microgreens, growers using soil-filled trays on benches.
Microgreens are grown on a plant-based mat to hold the seeds in place and keep them from washing away before they germinate. Made of all natural untreated materials, the mat is placed inside the channel, acting as a root anchor for the plants while distributing the nutrient solution evenly to the plants and retaining the moisture between feeding cycles.
The feeding is accomplished through a plumbing system of feed lines and PVC running from the nutrient tank up to each channel to the microgreens. Microvalves(4) are located on each channel so that flow can be adjusted and feeding can be adjusted at the front of each channel. The nutrient solution drains via gravity from the top feed end of the channel down to the bottom drain end of the channel, then is recirculated back to the nutrient tank, creating a closed system. This reduces waste and keeps the environment unadulterated from runoff. The nutrient tank is emptied 4 times a year for cleaning and remixing fresh nutrients. The nutrient levels are maintained by the grower between cleanings by adding water, nutrient and pH adjustment materials to the tank as needed. More details on this process are going to be discussed in a later post.
Traditional microgreens growers using soil-filled trays harvest their crops by hand using scissors to manually cut a handful at a time. They then place the harvested greens into a tub, rinse away the excess dirt or other grow media (perlite or peat), and finally dry the microgreens. This method is incredibly laborious.
If you enjoyed this, you might also enjoy these post:
Top 4 common Soil Types
To find out the difference among clay, sand and silts, humus, and loam soils; look broader into types. Three basic particles: sand, silt or clay compose all soils
Top 4 common Soil Types
January 29, 2018
The next time your stuck on a growing question, open up our blog post, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a master grower.
Introduction
To find out the difference among clay, sand and silts, humus, and loam soils; look broader into types. Three basic particles: sand, silt or clay compose all soils. Vast size variations among these particles affect the properties of your indoor garden. Coarse and largest, sand particles are clearly seen and felt in your hand. Smaller silt particles have smooth, flour-like texture. smallest of all, clay particles can be seen through a microscope. The amounts of these different particles determine whether your soil type is primarily clay, sand or loam.
Clay
Clay is stiff, fine grained earth consisting of hydrated aluminosilicates that become flexible when water is added. Clay is commonly mixed with other soil types to create a medium suitable for lettuce.
Top 10 plants that love to grow in clay:
Broccoli - Brussels Sprouts - Cabbage (red & green) - Cabbage (Napa & Savoy) Cauliflower - Kale - Bean - Pea - Potato - Radish
Humus
Humus is the organic constituent of soil, formed by the decomposition of plant materials, and can be bought in bags at local gardening stores. Most of these products claim to be free of bugs and other living matter, but sometimes this is not 100% true. Don't be surprised if you find a worm or green fly in the package. Humus is also sometimes known as compost, but compost is the final mixture of manure, loam soil, and some other media, with added organic matter. Humus is that added organic matter. Humus mixing is a step towards a more natural soil when mixed with clay, and sand and silts.
Sand and silts
Sand soils can be pure sand or a mixture of sand soil. The problem with sandy soil is that it drains water and minerals out too fast. It is a very dry soil and is not suitable for the lettuce grower's needs on its own. Silt soils are nearly the same as sand soils, expect they have a consistency more like clay and darker in colors. Silts hold nutrients well but do not hold water very well. Like sands, they are prone to quick drainage. Like we said, sands and silts are rarly used on their own to grow lettuce and mostly mixed with other types. Its important to know about them and how they are used.
Loam
Loam tends to be a mix of all of the above. The composition of the mix should be stated on the bag. In fact, in most cases, normal soil purchased in shops has humus, sand, silt, and clay already mixed in. When you buy a bag of soil it is nearly always going to be a loam. Loam is a very fertile soil and for control over the ratios you can even mix your own loam soils.
Loam is soil that contains:
less than 52% sand
28-50% silt
7-27% clay
If you enjoyed this, you might also enjoy these post about grow media:
"How to choose the right grow media for microgreens"
"Understanding coco coir as a grow medium"
Tags: soil clay humus sand and silt loam indoor farming growing tips
How To Grow Microgreens From Seed
How To Grow Microgreens From Seed
January 9, 2018
Want to grow your own microgreens at home? Here are 12 procedures that are sure to help.
Introductions
What are microgreens, exactly? Many people think they are sprouts, but that is a different product. Others think they are baby lettuce, but that's because they haven't tried microgreens. So what are microgreens and what makes them distinctive from sprouts and baby lettuce? Microgreens are tiny seedling plants of many varieties of vegetables, herbs, lettuces, greens, and flowers, grown 7-21 days from start. These tiny young plants have flavors that range from very mild to totally intense, and people are often surprised by heavenly flavor that they can add to any dish. Specific varieties that can be grown as microgreens are large, and include mustard varieties like ruby streaks, mizuna and tatsoi, herbs like parsley and fennel, vegetables like radish, carrot and celery, even flowers like nasturtiums and marigolds.
Growing Methods
Microgreens are grown on a pad made from 100% sustainable plant fibers to hold the seeds in place and keep them from rolling around before they sprout. If you lay the pad in the 10x20 tray dry, they would not lay flat, and the seeds would go rolling off the high spots and end up crowding up the low spots. The pads would also have a hard time becoming evenly moist to begin with. Before placing the pads in the tray PRE-SOAK THEM in a bucket of vegan boost water. This helps them lay flat in trays, which makes planting a lot easier and helps give the seeds a germination boost. Plan to put the pads in a couple hours before you plant.
Planting and Growing Procedures
1. Pre-soak microgreens pad in vegan boost water
2. Weigh out the correct amount of seeds to be planted
3. Place seeds into a season shaker
4. Place the wet pads into the tray
5. Smooth out the pad until completely flat
6. Evenly shake the seeds in each tray, one tray at a time, using a gentle shaking motion
7. Spray each tray, one at a time, spray generously.
8. Spray humidity dome and place dome on the trays
9. Place the trays in a dark area for a couple of days
10. Day 3 take off the humidity dome and place the tray under a grow light
11. Look for the first set of "true leaves" as a sign of readiness.
12. Grab scissors and cut the microgreens just above the pad line
Product Uses
Microgreens are quite versatile and can be used in a numbers of ways. Put them on tacos, pizza, soups, in salads, on sandwiches, anywhere you'd put baby greens or lettuce or cook them in stir-fry. Use them as an amazing garnish or ingredient on any dish. They can also be eaten as a salad and added to sushi and wraps.
If you enjoyed this, you might also enjoy these posts about growing:
"Microgreens - It starts with a seed"
"How to grow micro basil in six easy steps"
Tags: microgreens growing microgreens growingtips nick greens grow team
Italy: PiantaNatura Promotes Microgreens
Italy: PiantaNatura Promotes Microgreens
With its urban agriculture project, PiantaNatura is a start-up that managed to bring micro-vegetables to Italian tables and to commercialise them as well.
"We grow over 25 varieties of edible plants including mustard, watercress, radish and rocket. We called these shoots Micro Ortaggi, which is the closest term to the English Microgreens," explains Marta Crippa, owner of the company together with William Thake.
William Thake and Marta Crippa, creators of the PiantaNatura start-up.
PiantaNatura was founded in 2015 in Mezzago in the Monza Brianza province north-east of Milan. It has a well-equipped production workshop covering 200 square metres with one hectare of experimental crops (which will soon become 5).
The philosophy behind this company is a sustainable approach towards food production with the objective of growing products with a high nutritional value and a low environmental impact.
PiantaNatura microgreens are grown from high-quality organic seeds.
The range includes cabbage, radish, beetroot, peas, coriander, basil, borage, red and white mustard, rocket, watercress and much more
"We want to supply interesting high-quality products without giving up our social and ecological commitment, which aims at food education and awareness."
"If we want a different future, a better one, we need to find a new way to do agriculture and establish a new fair relationship with nature.
"In our case, consumers can eat something that is still alive, that is still planted and so remains fresh for days. We noticed how very few products meet this criteria."
"Another interesting element is the micronutrient content, which is much higher than that of vegetables usually found in supermarkets. In addition, our products are organic and the packaging is entirely biodegradable made using energy deriving from renewable sources."
William adds that "currently, 100% of our products are destined to Italy but we are working to establish supply agreements abroad. In 2018, we would also like to implement short chain distribution, this is why we have set up a Business Network with the Mezzago asparagus grower cooperative."
"We do not fear competition as our main competitors work on an industrial level."
"We believe our bio-plastic packaging and organic certification can make a difference. The strength of this project lies in the challenge we share with the clients who choose us day after day. We would like to set up a quick production process with little waste."
"The time is ripe for such small plants with such great potential to become part of the eating habits of aware consumers."
Contacts:
Soc. Agr. PiantaNatura di Marta Crippa e William Thake
Via G. Puccini, 33
20872 Cornate d'Adda (MB) - Italy
Cell.: (+39) 331 4772185
Email: info.piantanatura@gmail.com
Web: www.microortaggi.it
Web: www.piantanatura.it