Kratky Method: SOIL vs HYDROPONICS for Microgreens

[@dpm5519]

I'm glad to see you doing this comparison. I've been using the smaller hydroponic trays I bought from you a few years ago. I put a single layer of paper towel down and cover with a little soil. I plant 4 grams broccoli seeds and I yield over 60 grams of broccoli micro greens. I'm only growing for myself so that's why I only plant 4g. But I have broccoli micro greens everyday because of its health benefits and I grow a lot other micro greens in 5x5 trays. Works great for one or two people. Love your videos

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It’s amazing to hear how well your setup is working for you, especially with such a great yield from just 4 grams of broccoli seeds. Broccoli microgreens are definitely a powerhouse when it comes to health benefits, and it's awesome that you're able to enjoy them daily. I agree - the 5x5 trays are perfect for small-scale growing, especially when growing for yourself or a couple of people. Keep up the great work, and I'm glad you're enjoying the videos! 🌱

[@dpm5519]

@@OnTheGrow today's yield was 72 grams. 9 days growing at mid 70's. For soil I use 80% pro mix and 20% of our local community compost. I plant broccoli every time I harvest 4 or 5 days in summer. Things slow down in winter basement is mid 50's but I use heat mats on thermostats. Glad to be part of your micro green community. Take Care

[@DanteVelasquez]

I love seeing that lush growth! I am team hydroponic with microgreens and growing other things, especially the kratky method. You guys have the magic touch with growing things 🙂

[@karynlynnazealblatchford8122]

You are the BEST! You are my new "go to" for all my learning and high quality equipment. I've ordered twice from your website and am completely satisfied with your speed of shipping, customer service and your products. Thank you!!! 🌱

[@MMC-qd7is]

Great vid as always 👏 I hope you do mustard family without soil in the upcoming videos it's going to be awesome I find your channel explains the process in a simple yet effective way Thank you😁

[@OnTheGrow]

That's a wonderful suggestion! I'll have to look today and see which mustard varieties we have, and which have seeds big enough to work with the mesh. Also, thank you for the feed back about our channel / videos. Makes me happy to hear!

[@PermacultureGardens]

Thanks so much for this video! I wanted to ask, would it be possible for you all to do a Brix test on the leaves post harvest on soil vs, hydro. Thanks once again I love how you guys show us your experiments!!

[@p.dalton2414]

Thx for the new video, I use Happy Frog, Ocean Forest, and coco coir. I haven't use a grow mat yet.

[@OnTheGrow]

Thanks for watching it! Even though we get better results personally with the reusable mediums now that we're use to growing with them, I still love Ocean Forest as a soil option, as well as coco coir. They are all really great mediums, with their own pros and cons. If you decide to try the reusable mats, I suggest first starting with a 2-pack to test and learn!

[@user-yc3fx9rw1u]

Thx for the great video! Was there a difference in taste between the two?

[@ryangeiser6914]

In the last couple of videos you used plain water for the soil samples - I understand why you did - but would be interesting to see how they do with the same nutrient water as you were using for the hydroponic samples. Or better yet - soil with plain water, soil with nutrient water, and then the hydroponic sample. Your videos have been great for a newbie!

[@OnTheGrow]

That's a great suggestion, Ryan! Thank you! I'll do a test run to see if I can use our favorite hydroponic nutrient with this soil at our usual ratio without causing tip burn or other issues, since the soil already contains a good amount of nutrients. If it works well, I'll put together a test like you suggested! If not, I might need to find a soil that isn't too nutrient-rich, so it doesn't affect the results. I'm glad you've been enjoying our videos! Welcome to the world of microgreen growing-hope it's been going well for you so far! 🌱🌱

[@karenbuckner1959]

You mentioned a specific colored grow light. What's the difference in color?

[@EYETORUS-ey9cs]

😊😊😊 this was an awesome test❤

[@OnTheGrow]

Glad you enjoyed it, and we hope it answered your question! 🌱

[@Max_SiddiQ]

Hey Mandi, thank you. You look cool as a cucumber in that blue dress, very nice)

[@OnTheGrow]

I appreciate the compliment 🌱🌱🌱😊😊🥳🥳

[@stepper8584]

You don't give nutrients to the soil ones but then the roots hang in pure water and the soil gets dry so they have no nutrients. Bad comparison imo...

[@kellysalyer1972]

Another great video! I can't wait until we can get our greenhouse setup and we can start to grow microgreens and full salad crops via the Kratky hydroponic method. We want to try both with soil and without just like you did, only since they will be in a greenhouse, we will only need to supplement with lighting at night. Do you all run your lighting 24/7 after you flip into the photoperiod part of the grow, or do you allow for a dark/nighttime part in the last 7 days?

[@OnTheGrow]

Thanks for the kind words! Exciting to hear about your upcoming greenhouse setup. For our microgreens, we typically run the lights 17 hours on and 7 hours off once we flip into the photoperiod stage, as this mimics natural daylight conditions and gives the plants a rest period. Running lights 24/7 can cause stress on the plants and might lead to leggy growth. In a greenhouse setting, you should have great results supplementing with nighttime lighting when needed. Best of luck with your growing, and feel free to share your progress!

[@lisamock7795]

Another informative video. I am enjoying the reusable grow medium. As long as the seeds don’t fall through the mesh can most anything be grown on mesh? Or do some crops need to have soil or coco coir?

[@OnTheGrow]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video, as well as the reusable medium! Yes, that is mostly correct. There are a few seed varieties such as Swiss Chard, Beets, Cilantro, and borage that don't do well with this medium type due to their germination preferences! Plus, I noticed some herb varieties as well. Really, the best thing to do is test and see.

[@debrad]

Question not quite related to this video: I have bought some Cress microgreen seeds to grow on Coco coir mats. Once seated on mats maybe about two hours or so they began to smell a strong smell I’m not able to explain how it smells. Is there any reason why that should be happening? Does cress seeds smell or is it the mats that’s doing the smelling. I brought the mats about 2 to 3 years ago so they are old mats.

[@sunsugarfarmssustainablepr3785]

Another great video as usual! When will the 2" deep trays be back in stock? I have all the other items.

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! As for the 2-inch trays, potentially tomorrow early afternoon. We need to go check out back stock in the morning and see how many we have left. If we have enough, we'll put 1 to 3 packs back in stock. Otherwise, we'll have to wait until our new shipment arrives! I'd check our website between 8 am to 1 pm and see.

[@OnTheGrow]

Good morning! I just put 3 of the 10-pack 2-inch trays back in stock 😊

[@awakenfool]

Hi Mandi, I really enjoyed your videos, I’ve learned so much from you. How much per gram does the microgreens cost?

[@OnTheGrow]

Hello! I'm glad to hear that you've been enjoying our videos and learning from them! Thanks for watching. In 2024, the average selling price for microgreens typically ranges from $25 to $40 per pound, depending on the variety and market. For smaller quantities, such as 4-ounce containers, prices often range from $8 to $10 per tray, translating to about $2 to $6 per ounce for retail sales. Higher-end markets, such as restaurants, might pay even more, with certain microgreens fetching $80 per pound or higher.

[@awakenfool]

@@OnTheGrow thanks for the quick response Mandi, God bless you both in your undertakings. More success! I was wondering if you’ve had kid/s yet when all these years you’ve been very productive 😀

[@GuchiBarbot]

Great video!! I have a question, what white light are you using?? Greetings from Uruguay

[@OnTheGrow]

Glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks for watching - The grow lights I used in this video can be found on this list! They are the first option - www.amazon.com/shop/onthegrowfarms/list/300RR4HQRM5I9?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d

[@ph.faustino]

I noticed that you placed these plants in a reddish light. Is there a purpose to this? Does it make a difference?

[@billsledman4517]

Nice video 👍

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you!! 🌱😀🌱😀

[@TheKanaliadr]

Kratky metod on rassian saund like short time metod) ❤

[@OnTheGrow]

🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱