Growing Microgreens Right in the Ground! You Won't Believe the Results!

[@priayief]

Although I'm not a commercial gardener (I grow my veggies in square foot raised beds), this video is particularly helpful for me. Now I will be able to plant micro-greens in square foot sections of my beds (of course adjusting seed densities to the smaller size). Thanks.

[@bobgunner3086]

Just wanted to say I harvested my first batch of broccoli microgreens last week. Followed Curtis' instructions and it worked great! Now just try eating a WHOLE bowl of broccoli in one sitting .. that's a little toooo much sulfury goodness. lol.

[@Housebarons]

Hi Curtis, we're just getting into microgreens. Have watched tons of content from you and other farmers. This is the most straight forward, informative, and comprehensive video that we have seen to explain the process. Thanks much for making this video🤠!

[@rickmonaco2460]

Great video Curtis. I just started doing micros in the ground with good success. I sift Canadian peat over the seeds. After they are harvested, I noticed the combination of the peat moss and crop residue is making really great soil.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

I bet.

[@diygardener4556]

The stimulation from elements in the natural environment, like increased lighting intensity/duration, and exposure to wind, will encourage thicker stems in plants or trees.

[@artlecl]

Interesting. What about the flavor? Are they more nutritious if grown in a field?

[@pococurante9754]

Easily one of the best videos you have published. Thanks.

[@chadsproduce]

I have been doing my business quite similar to what Curtis has does for 20 years with much more Farmers' Marketing but way less restaurants, grocery stores (he is much more smart than me :)!! etc! LOVE his business model! Most Restaurant owners in Utah seem like cheapskates and don't want to pay for top quality and priced locally grown produce. I am finding at Farmers' Markets here in Utah (including the #6 nationally large Downtown SLC Farmers' Market which has seen a huge dip in attendance in the past 10 years) people are taking for granted all the huge influx of greens and root Farmers. Customers demanding more earlier No Spray fruit, earlier tomatoes, sweet corn, watermelon, cucumbers in June and continually ask for in their words real "vegetables" in the which the farmers' that grow this stuff (especially cherries and early fruits) are making mega bucks. Greens are the most profitable veggie for the small farmer, but very difficult to sprout and grow in temperatues over 90 degrees daily, and these farmers at the market seem to be doing less selling and sitting on their duff. Is this sales trend happening in your areas? ~Chads Produce Ogden Utah

[@joeganic773]

I can see that but i think theres allways a way

[@nathanrogers8713]

One of the issues that we run up against here is the washing. Where we sell our microgreens, washing them changes the classification to a high risk food. The state decided that after having a couple national salmonella outbreaks in sprouts and ecoli in salad greens that washing them put them at higher risk. As such unless we want to go through a very expensive licensing process, we are not allowed to wash and just have to label our product as requiring washing. We are also not allowed to create custom blends after harvest. If they are in the same plot and harvested at the same time it is ok so seed blends work but if they are in 2 separate trays they cannot be blended as they also feel that increases the risk. The new markets we are getting set to go into are located in a different state though and the restrictions there are less. Fun stuff.

[@theruler2k2]

Some plants will grow thicker if there has been some wind it triggers something in them to grow fatter so they dont fall over. works really well with tomatoes put them out on windy days that are not below freezing during nursery season and boom fatter stems every time

[@mmgraff1]

i tried MG in flats in the summer, what a mess, takes up too mu room, so last yr I piced those cool crops that I know I can "force" in the summer(arug., rads, mustard, sorrel, green lettuce) and kept them moist and small and clipped them small. SO MUCH EASIER AND TURNED OUT BETTER didnt know anyone else had figured that out too :)

[@SoulOfPixels]

The more light they get the bigger the leaves. The stem being thick is probably because of wind as John Davies stated. One thing I have noticed is that reducing the seed density allows my micros to grow faster and grow bigger leaves. Thick colorful crunchy stems and big beautiful leaves is what I am looking for, so field micros could be something for me. The only drawback is having to water from above and having to wash them.

[@MrFarmer1997]

I appreciate the detail put into this video. I bet grown in the ground would give a really high income per square foot! It would be interesting to grow them in between different crops through the year, like after you harvest carrots and then plant lettuce after the micros. I feel like their little roots and that bit of stem left would add a lot to the soil over time, plus it would act as a quick cover crop. But you would have to have the market for that much. Sadly I do not move that many micro greens. Thanks for the great info and inspiration.

[@pnoelb]

Hi Curtis thankyou so much for shareing your telents with the world. You inspire me to grow things in ways that I never would of thought of. I live about 2 hours drive from crushing it on a quarter acre New Zealand in the Bay of plenty Te Puke sourounded by Kiwifruit as far as the eye can see. And unfortunately they use some very nasty sprays around here so anything I grow could never be truely organic. But kiwifruit is king around here. Keep up the good work love your energy.

[@MicroUrb]

Curtis, you read my mind with this video brother. I have been struggling with this idea and needed to see you do this. I am going to try this with the radish because I feel I am wasting money as those seeds don't all grow on the tray. I can't do that with sunflower because chipmunks will have a feast on it. By the way, are those salanova crisp or incised? Last question, where could I get those boards? By the way, I learned that growing in field produce beefier cotyledons by accident when the wind would blow my seeds into my plot when I was bringing the trays outdoors. Love this video.

[@brotherarcanine7717]

This is awesome! So informative and well presented. BUT I HAVE A QUESTION! What do you do with the soil/roots/waste after harvesting in order to get the space ready for the next cycle of crop? Was that what the rototilling was for?

[@dawn7882]

I either compost, use as mulch, or feed to my chickens and guinea pig. And now I'm raising worms, so none of it goes to waste

[@PerkyGreens]

Once harvested, whats your process to grow your next batch? Do you just continue to grow the same crop in the same location?

[@HiNinqi]

Can they grow into full sized plants if you harvest only sections of them?

[@babyreps365]

After first harvest will these continue to grow and produce? Just keep harvesting every ten days?

[@saintisidorehomestead]

If they get thicker, I presume you are getting a higher yield in weight relative to area this way. Is that the case? And if so, how much more would you estimate you are getting? Thanks, Curtis.

[@dawsonmehalko711]

Was that your wife out by the raspberry plants finding treats while you harvested the pea and sun shoots? :) as always, great video, very inspiring and incredibly helpful for me. Thanks You for all the work you put into these videos! Hope you have a great day.

[@spagheddieschenkel4010]

I think they're growing bigger becuase of their access to Mycorrhizae fungi! I have a microgreens business and I ran some tests with Mycorrhizae. The results were shocking, and similar to the differences in your Indoor Vs. Outdoor harvests :) Hope this helps! Love your videos, thanks for everything you have taught me, Curtis!!!! You're the man!!!

[@mickybearden9641]

Question Curtis: Are You using the same Seed for Microgreens that you'd use for the Normal Plant? I.e.: Sunflower Seed, Peas, Broccoli

[@BODYKURE]

Hi, I know this video is 2 years old, but I'm just seeing it now. I hope you will still reply to my question. How do you prepare the same patch of soil for the next set of seeds? thanks

[@joeganic773]

Roto till

[@AndrewPostProduction]

What was your yield in oz. per square patch of each micro green?

[@echosquest]

Would you say using some peroxide when rinsing them would be good? Heard that is a good way and organic way to remove fungus spores baterica etc. Very cool info!

[@mattg9199]

How long do you soak sunflower and pea seeds? Or do you have a step by step design/plan in your books for micro-greens?

[@joeganic773]

Overnight

[@thefaeryman]

do those coil garden hoses hold up or do they stretch out and stay stretched? people can grow their micro's outside on racks in the summer. I haven't yet. thanks

[@dustinb9144]

Hey Curtis do you wash micros you grew in the greenhouse? I've heard people have different protocols on that so I was curious if you did or not. Thanks for the helpful videos!

[@catherinesaulnier5448]

How do you prep your ground for the next batch after you harvest?

[@kricketkitty]

I had the same question. Curtis are you still answering questions? Thanks

[@stephaniejoslin8381]

What kind of temperatures are you working with?

[@mariencarascal966]

Glad i found this video. Im planning to grow microgreens but i dont have a space inside my house to grow it .

[@sailaharibasavaraju327]

❤❤❤❤this is what I was searching for

[@joycehandersonfriends3225]

QUESTION: It gets hot in the Summer here in coastal NC. Can microgreens tolerate high temps in the mid 90s? Wow! Thanks for that valuable info.

[@tac13001]

Yes, I too live in coastal NC (Rocky Point) and grow a lot of micros. Sometimes you have to make your own shade through out the day but it can be done.

[@themattj]

I just watched this video and I have a suggestion. I hope that you see this and try it. If not, perhaps, it will help others who watch this. Instead of covering the seeds with soil to keep the moisture on the seeds, you should try covering the bottom of your boards with sheets of plastic. Wood is porous and, most likely, is responsible for robbing the seeds of moisture. I would love to know if this tip helps.

[@mynameismatt2010]

I've never really planted anything, but i'm curious, after harvesting can you get a second crop from the roots or do you have to till the roots in and replant?

[@kricketkitty]

Did you experiment with this?

[@dayyego]

@@kricketkitty I’m curious also. Actually since I live in apartment, I would be using soil in trays. I’m wondering if I could reuse same soil for second and third batch of seeds/planting

[@lunabeta3516]

Following for answer

[@queenbeeetta]

loved the video,very informative. going to try this on a smaller scale outside.thanks for sharing

[@JoLe1991]

the reason they're thicker is because the soil is way richer in minerals (especially potassium) than potting soil. I grow sunflower microgreens hydroponically with my own blended nutrient solution quite high in potassium and consistently get yields of 1kg per flat using 140g dry seed. The record yield so far was 1055g.

[@tuesdayskittens]

Thank you Curtis, excellent vid!

[@stayjabbless]

Hell o, thank you for the video, do you water them ofter or?? Thank you

[@letsgrowlv]

How to water them in the field? Are you using drip irrigation

[@coreyogles2664]

Have you ever had a good rain happen while they're out there and uncovered? How did they do?

[@missboobap]

Which varieties are best for shoots? Or any will do?

[@Stella77_7]

Great Video!! Oh yes I see a permanent raise bed in my Greenhouse for this!!

[@Kitty_cat_hello.]

Do you have a link to your book?

[@savingmayberry387]

how much did the seed for those beds cost ?

[@unitedstatesdale]

where do you purchase your bulk seeds ? Thanks !

[@annettelloyd2947]

Would adding some water crystals to the soil be helpful?

[@Elfunko99x]

Thank you for posting this!

[@ptrain9020]

Hey Curtis. If and when you have to put microgreens or salanova lettuce into the cooler for a few days or so, do you do anything special to help the lettuce stay fresh and crisp? Perhaps misting the leaves with water or something? I ask because I put some lettuce in the refrigerator and a couple days later, they were not quite so fresh and crisp looking.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Patrick Pittman that works

[@littleluneallday]

Curtis how do we get our microgreens more leggy? We grow in an outdoor greenhouse and think it may be due to long day lengths and sunshine as opposed to using lights. We keep them stacked and covered 4-7 days depending on variety. Our micros still have such short stems.

[@johnnygreenfarmer1132]

I would try shade cloth to limit amount of sunlight. Try about 40% shade.... I never grew microgreens but shade cloth works for me over lettuce beds. Also will reduce temperatures. Maybe experiment with different levels of shade. I have also used lath (narrow strips of wood) spaced with gap equal to 60% of the covering .... which means the lath covers 40% of the area thus 40% shade. Experimenting using lath allows you to vary the amount of shading.... you could try 30% through 60%. make frames to attach lath to. Back years ago lath was commonly used outside in nurseries.

[@ryanwillett728]

I am getting ready to order to your book, are the seeding weight rates for micro-greens in there? I think I recall from an earlier video where you discussed growing the micro's that they were in the book, but I couldn't find the video again.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Yes, they are.

[@ryanwillett728]

Thanks, Book ordered! I'm pretty excited about up scaling my closet operation, and adding sprouts to my product list.

[@ryanwillett728]

Got your book on Monday.. Read through the microgreens section right off and re-watched two of your videos to [pick up answers to questions I had that weren't in the book. Thanks for all the great info. I have some supplies on order and will be starting soon. (within the week)

[@BenAtomsMedia]

what do you do with the patch of dirt where the shoots were harvested? Till it? Or shovel it out and replace with new potting soil mix?

[@dayyego]

I’m curious also…

[@Haqqali]

how do you deal with mice attacking field sunflowers?

[@bobgunner3086]

Thanks for the video. I love your technique. Is it safe to say you only get one cutting off those?

[@syedhussainzaidi502]

Hi Curtis, I need to know : Do you Water them after sawing onto Ground Bed, I see you water them once you saw onto Ground Bed, but do you water them time to time within these 11 to 12 days of Cycle? Thanks and Cheers

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Yes, I water every day once they're uncovered.

[@syedhussainzaidi502]

Thanks a, lot Curtis, I have a piece of FarmLand, and I want to convert into Microgreen, and see if there is a market in Karachi - Cheers

[@savingmayberry387]

Great video , Where to you get your microgreen seeds ?

[@feralkevin]

I must have watched this video 20 times by now. Will it not work without the boards? Maybe with a silage tarp?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Sure, try it.

[@CharlesGinzel]

Curtis, i don't suppose the peas are in long enough to make any measurable impact on the nitrogen in the soil? maybe if multiple successive plantings were done?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Charles Ginzel they can if you let them grow back and long

[@AutoNomades]

I guess when you cut almost all the aerial parts, left overs will gives back nitrogene and other elements isnt'it?

[@AutoNomades]

I guess when you cut almost all the aerial parts, left overs will gives back nitrogene and other elements isnt'it?

[@michaelphelps9555]

where can i get one off yor books from thanks

[@matiasmatthews4745]

Hi Curtis! How do you handle or calculate the costs between the seeds and the final microgreen and their sales?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

We have a pretty snazzy calculator that does it for you in my microgreens course. It opens back up in early January if you're interested.

[@matiasmatthews4745]

@@offgridcurtisstone I would love it but I live in Argentina ... is it a classroom or web course?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

It's online.

[@jeanoconnor3163]

Are your nursery greens on 24 hour lighting?

[@wisconsinfarmer4742]

It is the sunlight. flavor is probably deeper too.

[@danieljdemarco]

Thanks for another awesome video! Where do you get those large plastic pitchers from?

[@angusmostert1902]

Thanks for the video Curtiss! always wondered if this could be done outside, so thanks for this, just one question though, how long to soak the seeds for before planting them?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Just over the night. 8-12 hours.

[@spincitiesfarm7862]

I was doing Sun shoots in flats on shelves in my yard (limited nursery space, better light in yard), but I had squirrels eating them and standing all over the flats, ruining the crop. Do you not have problems with squirrels eating the field sunshoots?

[@AutoNomades]

Hello. I'm also worried about any rodents and gasteropods, when i see the quantity of nutricius-rich sprouted organic seed to leave in a concentrated space, i can imagine its very atractive for them, when around is only grasses and bushes.. Do you have methods to protect the crop? First years in my last garden, they were sometimes 5 fieldmice holes by square meters sometimes.. Thanks for sharing !

[@flankan]

how do you deal with moles?

[@seanmcnally9617]

The grow bigger because the roots can go deeper and still be fully surrounded by soil. Deep roots with full soil contact means more nutrients for more develooment in the same time.

[@mingsong]

Are u worried about weeds in between? I can’t identify plants well that’s why I’m afraid to get any dirt in the store bought compost.

[@0rangekick]

Hi Curtis, where did you get those Graduated Measuring Containers? TIA

[@offgridcurtisstone]

My local farm supply.

[@kanddfamilyfarm]

Does the the type of pea seed matter much for this? Pea seed specifically for microgreens sell for $6aud/kg but I'm sure I could get commercial quantity from a feed store much cheaper.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Dalles Hayes I get certified organic speckled PC it for one dollar a kilo here in Canada from MUMMS sprouting seeds.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Urban Farmer Curtis Stone pea seed I meant

[@yonidanor7197]

curtis, what are your boards made of ? (what kind of wood, treated?)

[@offgridcurtisstone]

plywood.

[@Travis_Walton88]

hi mate dose it matter what time of day you uncover them?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

It must be down at sunrise when Venus and Mercury are in alignment. Then and only then, can you uncover them successfully ;)

[@impseeder5756]

Wow! ........... I'm sure planting by the moon is why they sprouted.

[@jtdavies3]

My guess is that they are thicker because they are growing where there is wind for them to resist.

[@ryanwillett728]

This was my thought too.. if growing inside, use a fan to give them some light movement. I have to do this on Started plants like tomatoes and peppers in the house. They get leggy if you don't'.

[@youssefdarwich6576]

yes that and they are less depth restricted so the roots are more proportional. I would assume one could get away with planting at a slightly lower density outside and still get similar yields

[@Jonathan-ln9ly]

John Davies was going to say this too.

[@yoshooah]

So this is what mimes do when they aren't working?

[@MaxwellHolmes]

hi, curtis: do you know where to buy sunshine 3 media in Langley BC?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Google it dude.

[@MaxwellHolmes]

Curtis : this is how you respond to your subscribers in such disrespectful language. Don't forget KZbin is public communication platform. Act with proper human decency and be a role model for your child!

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Gao San San it is when people ask questions that could literally put into Google!

[@joebobjenkins7837]

what would be the level of effort to grow and harvest your own seed?

[@waltlars3687]

JoeBob Jenkins a lot of added growing time and tieing up grow beds for longer time and extra labor havesting & drying for storage add up your labor rate vs cost of buying I think in long run buying is cheaper especially if you can get bulk quantities of seed at a much better price than small seed packets

[@thewolfin]

Probably not worth the space/time with an urban setup like Curtis's. But if you're on a field and space is no issue, I don't see why you couldn't grow them out and harvest the seed. It just seems a little tedious when you can buy it in bulk.

[@sallyweiner4180]

So cool thank you!

[@MrB1000x]

Do you not have to worry about fungal problems as much with the field micros?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Brandon B totally. No worries at all

[@mskogly]

That's alot of seeds. What did they cost and where can they be sourced without going broke? :)

[@ryanwillett728]

bought by the pound from seed suppliers. They aren't priced too badly actually.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

That's not even $20 of seed for both those crops that would be worth $200. If you're going broke on seed expense, the cost of the seed is the least of your worries.

[@aperson1181]

how do you keep birds/pests away?

[@ELMUR10]

EPIC. Absolutley

[@daledurbin2354]

Get you some worms. Create a few worm (put them in your compost pile) beds, they'll eat anything organic, table scraps, paper, card board even avocado, orange, lime and grapefruit peels, The worm leavings make excellent soil amendments. (Fertilizer) Big Plus after a few years that clay soil will become very loamy.

[@MaxwellHolmes]

where to buy sunshine 3 in Langley bc?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Gao San San google

[@DanaSeat]

thank you bro

[@DdossAttacks]

The microgreens grow thicker outside because the roots have more space... An inch of soil in the nursery flats limits the micros. The roots typically creep out of the holes in the bottom of my flats within a few days

[@tangobayus]

You could try laying unbleached paper towels over them to hold moisture. Those towels break down so the plants should poke through them.

[@CreativeMoviesforfam]

How would you turn the bed over to replant a new cycle of microgreens in the same spot?

[@rickmonaco2460]

SandC Rostollan I scuffle hoe the residue into the soil. It decomposes quickly in my climate and I can replant within 10 days.

[@CreativeMoviesforfam]

Great! We are currently growing in a sunroom, but really having issues with humidity causing mold. Wondering if moving to field microgreens might be better for us in the summer. Our current setup was perfect during the winter. Thoughts?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Many many times. I used to do them in the same 6 short beds all summer.

[@diochan5397]

11:41

[@ethansteffes8193]

would more wind in the field make them thinker

[@AutoNomades]

Yes, but will grow lower and slower..(like you can see ttees and bushes on the seashore . Many interesting experiments are to do to get new textures and flavores..;)

[@spencerblack8098]

You get a better quality green in sunshine. They have thicker meatier leaves. The taste is deeper stronger. Its full spectrum light. There is no bulb that can replicate the sun.

[@dash-4150]

Awesome video

[@marcelogarcialeon2054]

Hi curtis, i reed your book and dont have information aborut seed density of microgreens except that pea, sunflower and radish, i will aprecciate if you tell him what are the density of plantig all varieties that yoy hace experience

[@VaughnMalecki]

If you want to buy 50 pound bags of seed and save a ton of money lets talk. Leave your comments here and KZbin should notify me. Let's hope. 😀

[@you-to-beornot-to-be9629]

NO talk about best weather???? Ideal Seasons????????

[@onehardhitta]

They're thicker because they're hardened off from the sun and weather

[@EMFMiner]

someone's stealing your raspberries! 😉

[@offgridcurtisstone]

She sure did. They went in the smoothie that morning.

[@SpudKai]

If i do this, I might just bend down and eat the microgreens like a cow

[@TheGhostInside0192]

For grow microgeeens only you need adequate climate. That's all. Easiest crop in the world.

[@mikemorrison281]

I would think growing outside you'd have to wash everything because of not only dirt, but bugs, bug eggs, and bird poop.

[@angusmostert1902]

he covers them with netting

[@mikemorrison281]

Angus Mostert not all the time he doesnt