Growing microgreens at home is becoming increasingly popular. Microgreens are easy to care for, they grow super quick, and best of all they taste great. Here are tips for growing arugula microgreens.
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What Are Arugula Microgreens?
Arugula microgreens are one of the most common microgreens to grow at home. Micro Arugula is a spicy, bitter green herb, making it very popular in food markets and restaurants. Highly versatile, you can use arugula as a garnish or in a salad. You’ll find several varieties of
Arugula microgreens consist of one or two leaves and a slender stem. As their name indicates, they grow to a maximum height of only five to seven centimeters. The leaves are heart-shaped, smooth, and flat with uniform edges. In terms of taste, micro arugula is milder than fully grown arugula. You’ll find a sweet, peppery, and tangy taste with an earthy flavor.
For cooking, arugula microgreens are generally consumed fresh. Because of their small size, they wilt quickly when heated. Therefore, micro arugula is usually used as a garnish added at the last minute of preparing a dish. Micro arugula can also be added to salads, floated onto soups and stews, or sprinkle on pizza or pasta. Micro arugula is also suitable as a bed of greens for roasted meat and seafood.
In terms of its health properties, arugula microgreens are rich in calcium and vitamin K. Calcium and vitamin K contribute to healthy skin and the development of bones. Micro arugula also contains vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system.
Growing Arugula Microgreens At Home
Growing microgreens is a great way to ease into home gardening. Like other microgreens, arugula growing is a quick and straightforward process to master. Once planted and watered, seeds germinate very quickly and are ready to harvest in about ten days. Best of all, you don’t need a ton of equipment to get started.
Required Materials
- Growing trays or containers
- Organic potting soil
- Light. LED growing lights if growing indoors
- Arugula seeds
- Spray bottle
Growing arugula microgreens is easy and quick. Unlike most microgreens, there’s no need to soak and rinse arugula microgreens. Simply plant the seeds in organic potting soil for microgreens on the first day and harvest in ten days.
3 Quick Steps For Growing Arugula Microgreens At Home
If you want to grow arugula microgreens, here are our three quick steps.
Planting
You can grow arugula microgreens indoors or outdoors. Before getting started, ensure your growing medium is well prepared. Organic potting soil is the best soil for microgreens. However, you can use other alternatives such as coconut coir.
Your microgreens need nutrients to grow. Organic potting soil has sufficient nutrients, but when using other mediums ensures the nutrient level is adequate.
Evenly distribute arugula seeds on the planting surface. Ensure that the medium is level and moist. Ensure that the depth of the soil is correct for the plants to develop their roots.
After planting your seeds, cover the container or tray so that no light enters. Darkness will create the optimal germination conditions for your arugula seeds. Once you’ve sown the seeds, place the container in an area where there’s a consistent temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Caring For The Plants
Uncover the container and mist with a spray bottle twice or thrice a day for three days. Be careful not to over-water the medium to avoid mold.
Continue watering the growing medium after the seeds germinate. If your growing medium is deep, then reduce the frequency of watering.
Uncover the growing tray after four to five days to allow light. Next, reposition the tray to a well-lit area. If you are growing indoors, then you may require artificial lighting. Growing lights are a good supplement for indoor growing.
How To Harvest Microgreens
Harvest your arugula microgreens when they are about three inches tall and have open leaves. Cut them at about a quarter to a half inches above your growing medium. This will reduce the hassle of washing microgreens.
Washing microgreens is time-consuming and reduces the shelf life by half. Store microgreens properly and ensure that they are dry. Make sure to avoid watering microgreens before harvesting.
The Best Arugula Microgreen Systems For Growing At Home
In addition to be highly versatile when cooking, there are several ways of growing arugula microgreens. Here’s a look at some of the best methods:
Growing Arugula Microgreens On Soil
Growing arugula microgreens on soil is the most common method. You can grow microgreens on soil indoors or outdoors.
Place organic potting soil in growing trays or containers. Prepare the soil by watering and leveling it. Then sow your arugula seeds and cover.
Organic potting soil is a cheap method to grow arugula. Arugula plants will get all their nutrients from the soil.
Hydroponics
Hydroponics is a system where you grow plants directly in water. Use a growing medium to offer physical support to the plants’ roots. To ensure that your arugula microgreens get the best nutrients, mix the water with a nutrient solution.
One great benefit of hydroponics is that the system is less messy since it does not involve soil. Hydroponics has a higher yield than conventional farming.
Arugula Microgreen Growing Kits
Growing kits are also ideal systems, especially for beginners. Most growing kits contain all you need. Here is a review of a suitable growing kit.
Urban Botanic Microgreens Growing Kit
This easy-to-use microgreen kit contains everything you will need to grow and harvest arugula microgreens after a week. The kit includes 100 percent non-GMO seed, nutrient-rich growing medium, and compostable growing trays.
The kit is suitable for a variety of microgreens. You will be able to grow your arugula microgreens anywhere during any season.
Our 5 Top Tips For Growing Arugula Microgreens
Tip 1 – Use The Correct Medium
Organic potting soil is one of the best mediums for arugula. Ensure that you prepare the soil well, level, and moist before sowing seeds.
If you are using an alternative medium, ensure it has the best nutrients for arugula microgreens.
Tip 2 – The Right Amount Of Seed
For optimal growth and harvest, use the correct amount of seeds. Ensure you evenly distribute the seeds to cover the growing surface.
Tip 3 – Ideal Growing Conditions
Ensure that your arugula microgreens get the ideal temperature, moisture, and light. Arugula thrives well in sunlight. However, it requires complete darkness to germinate. Cover your growing tray after planting the seeds for about 72 hours for optimal germination. Arugula seeds need temperatures of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit to germinate. After germination, uncover and move the tray to a well-lit area.
Tip 4 – Harvesting
Harvest your arugula microgreens at between one and two weeks to maintain a tender consistency flavor. For optimal nutrition and flavor, harvest microgreens at the peak of their growth cycle.
Tip 5 – Get A Growing Kit
An excellent growing kit will contain all you need to grow and harvest arugula microgreens. You, therefore, don’t need to purchase items separately. Growing kits are best for beginners.
Arugula microgreens are among the easiest and fastest microgreens to grow at home. Follow our tips and begin growing your own nutrient-packed microgreens at home.
FAQs – Growing Arugula Microgreens
Like nearly all plants, once you cut arugula microgreens, that’s it. Arugula microgreens will NOT regrow after cutting.
There are a variety of ways to grow arugula microgreens. Two of the most popular ways are hydroponics and growing kits. Both have advantages and disadvantages. One advantage they have in common is that they are both ideal for new home growers.
Arugula microgreens take approximately 10 days to grow.