Sun-grown Microgreens in a Greenhouse
Search the internet these days and you’ll find lots of online courses and videos showing you how to grow microgreens under lights, with fans, humidifiers, racks and watering trays. But if you are wondering if there is a simpler way- like using the free sunlight and a tunnel or greenhouse you already have- the answer is YES!
I have been growing a microgreens side of my salad-centric farms over the last few years and have been satisfied with the “rough and ready” approach I have put together to add an extremely high quality product to my market display each week. It took a lot of trial and error- using the wrong seeds, wrong trays, wrong mix, to get here and I did waste a lot of money in the learning process.
Sun-Grown
Yes! Microgreens can be grown in a hightunnel.
Why ‘rough and ready?’
I just don’t have the patience for too many fiddly details or any guess work. I just want things set up and ready to go when I have a moment to do a task. So, overtime I have cut out certain varieties and tools and simplified my processes so that its easy and enjoyable, and easy to train others to do.
Week after week I am impressed with how well the microgreens grow, how good they store, and how well they sell.
Looking at my year-end numbers isn’t so bad either. Microgreens really are making a contribution to the bottom line with very little extra work each week.
I have created a series of standard operating procedures to make the work ~ FLOW.
Kat The Farmer
Seeding flats in her 10’x16’ propagation greenhouse
Growing Under Sun
The part about growing under sunlight in a greenhouse or high tunnel is not often talked about. You can get great results by using the extra space you already have available. Some air flow from fans and vents are great to have and microgreens can be watered using overhead or bottom watering set-ups.
Growers withe the basic vegetable farm infrastructure likely have the bones to add in a microgreens enterprise- so should they?
Microgreens
A high quality, high value crop that may be a good addition to your farm products
Introducing…My New Online Course!
I have put together a new online course called ‘The Farmer’s Guide to Microgreens Made Simple’ for growers to learn about growing these little leafs, assess the economic opportunities for their business, and get help choosing the right tools and practices. If you want to learn along with me (and skip ahead of the learning curve!) take a look at the lessons and resources that I have put together in my first-ever online course.
This online course is a guide for farmers who are interested in adding a succesful sun-grown microgreens enterprise to their farm. Take the guesswork out of choosing the right tools, get growing faster, and get all the info you need to prepare an enterprise budget for your microgreens business. Sign up early to view all chapters and resources in the guide. Get free access to video tutorials when they are added in 2025.
