Microgreen seeds vs regular seeds

Defining the difference between microgreen seeds and regular seeds can be difficult. It is important to know the difference so you don’t make a mistake when purchasing seeds and you know what you are getting in to when planting your first microgreens.

What are microgreen seeds?

Microgreen seeds are genetically the same as regular seeds. It is understandable that you may think you need special seeds for microgreens but the only difference between regular plants and microgreens are the growing time and the lack of soil when you grow them.

However, there are ways that you can buy seeds for growing microgreens and these seeds are selected to grow plants that are good for growing with the microgreen method, rather than being genetically different.

In other words, any seed you buy that is labelled a microgreen will turn in to a fully sized plant when given enough time and the correct growing conditions.

Microgreens are great to add in different flavours to meals and are very popular in salads. They’re often preferred to conventional salad items due to how easy they are to grow and convenient they are grow and eat.

What are regular seeds?

Regular seeds are seeds that will grow in to a normal plant given the right growing conditions and given enough time.

These seeds are “embryonic plants enclosed in a protective outer covering”. It takes two different flowers on the same plant or separate plants to create a fertile plant and hence a seed. They are formed after fertilization of pollen by bees and other insects that are pollinators.

Before pollination, seeds were ovules inside flowering plants or flower like structures waiting to be fertilized and create the seed which is capable of propagating new plant life in the right conditions.

What are the best microgreen seeds?

While microgreen seeds are the exact same as regular seeds, there are still types of plant varieties that grow very well in their early stages and produce fresh, juicy young plants perfect for growing microgreens.

This is why you may find microgreen seeds sold in packages even though they are not genetically different to regular seeds. So they can produce the fresh, juicy stems that people want for their garden salads or microgreen dishes.

The type of plants desirable for growing microgreens include:

• Kale
• Peas
• Cabbage
• Mustard
• Radish
• Spinach
• Beetroot
• Basil

Where can you buy microgreen seeds?

There are a likely a variety of options available to you both offline and online based on your location.

There are also some differences you need to look out for when making a purchase. Firstly, make sure you read your packet as some seeds that are untreated and raw will need to be soaked so they can germinate properly.

Also, oftentimes the image of how the seeds will appear to grow will be a wild exaggeration of what they will really look like. Use common sense and online images to compare what you are buying to the real deal – don’t be fooled!

Here are some of the most reliable packets I’ve found based on reviews

Superfood microgreen mix

This mix is found on Amazon and includes Kohlrabi, Collard, Radish, Turnip and Broccoli seeds. It is ready to harvest in just 10 days and these seeds can be planted in trays. The great thing about this mix is they produce a range of flavor. There is spice from the radishes and turnips and milder flavors from the others which is perfect for a salad. Find the produce here where you can grow this variety for yourself.

Jim’s Sprous Mix

Jim’s Sprous mix contains broccoli, Alfalfa, Radish, Clover. You must soak the seeds in this mix before planting because they are able to just be grown in water. So if you don’t have any soil available but you have a microgreen growing tray, this may be the mix for you.

If you don’t want to buy your seeds online, check out your local gardening store. Or buy your own seeds that aren’t meant for growing as microgreens but harvest them while they are still small.

Should you plant microgreen seeds or regular seeds?

To conclude, it doesn’t matter. However, there are still packages of seeds with a range of seeds of vegetables varieties suitable for planting microgreens which often make the growing seeds easier.

So if you find these in a gardening store or online it is worth buying them to make things easy. Especially if you are new to growing.

However, no matter what you grow, the process is very similar. You will still have to grow and harvest your seeds. Microgreens still need to be planted, chopped and prepared which takes time

There are certainly still vegetables that require the same if not less maintenance as microgreens such as potatoes and tomatoes. They are some of the most resilient, easy to grow plants.

So the choice is yours. There are pros and cons but you have to make a choice that is best for you