Microgreens or sprouts?

Did you know that microgreens and sprouts are not the same? If not, no need to worry. Both plants are often equated or even confused with each other. In this article we will to you what characterizes these plants and how you can distinguish them from each other.

Microgreens and Sprouts: different cultivation methods

The first fundamental difference between the two miniature plants already lies in the way they are grown. Sprouts are seedlings which can grow entirely without soil or daylight. Microgreens on the other hand need soil to grow. At Heimgart, the organic seed pads made of natural fiber fleece replace the soil. So that you don’t have to spread the seeds on the pads first, they are already portioned and positioned using a natural binder.

Microgreens – towards the sun

Microgreens require daylight. Of course, during the first few days they go through their germination process in the dark: In the garden this happens underground and with Heimgart thanks to the darkening cultivation covers. But after just a few days, the young plants start to strive for light. The still light-colored leaves of the microgreens now take on color thanks to chlorophylls, which are obtained through photosynthesis.

Sure, in the first few days they go through their germination process in the dark: In the garden underground and with home garden thanks to the darkening cultivation covers. But after just a few days, the young plants start to strive for light. The still light-colored leaves of the microgreens now take on color thanks to chlorophylls, which are obtained through photosynthesis.

Microgreens are harvested later than sprouts

Sprouts are eaten with their roots after they have grown for about two to four days. This is when the seed has just begun to germinate. At the latest, however, when the first tender green has formed. At this point, the plants have not yet formed chlorophyll, also known as leaf-green. You can therefore easily distinguish them from the juicy green microgreens by their bright, slightly yellowish color.

Microgreens are ready for harvesting after about one week. The seedlings thus go through one more growth phase than sprouts and are full of nutrients that they would normally distribute to the full grown or ‘adult’ vegetables later. Harvested as microgreens, they concentrate all this nutritional power in the delicate little plants. They are full of vitamins, minerals and secondary plant substances and are particularly easy to digest because carbohydrates, proteins and fats are broken down into their individual components.

If you have never grown microgreens yourself, you can start right away with Heimgart. Click here to check out our store.