Growing microgreens was covered in Janet Melrose's (Kick Start Your Garden) and Joanna Ogilvie's (Seed Starting) February Society workshops. Whether you're a novice garden or a seasoned one, growing microgreens during the winter gives a gardener some gardening satisfaction...and it's quite simple.

All that is needed is a container, growing medium and sprouting seeds. The growing medium can be a potting mix, a piece of growing rock wool or a hemp pad. Put your medium into the container. If you are using rock wool or a hemp pad, wash it under the tap first. If you are using a potting mix, ensure it is moist. The container used in the workshops was an aluminum loaf pan, but any shallow water-holding container will work. Densely cover the surface of the growing medium with the seeds. Cover the container with plastic wrap or put it into a clear plastic bag for two days. Place in bright indirect light until sprouted. Once the plants are harvest-size, place the container in the fridge to inhibit further growth. Pull the sprouts and eat whole (including the root) or cut the sprout stem off with scissors. The flavour depends upon the type of greens being grown and can be mild (such as alfalfa) or spicy (such as radishes and mustards). Sunflowers must be eaten before stems get hairy. Peas may be harvested twice. Pick the top half of the sprout to eat leaving a few leaves on the plant. The plant will continue to grow for you to enjoy twice. According to Janet Melrose, "microgreens are nutrition bombs!" If you haven't grown microgreens, give it a try!