Quinoa microgreens are among the most popular microgreens because they are so healthy.
They are high in protein, are virtually double-fibered than most grains, and most importantly, they are packed with minerals and vitamins.
Most people find it very important to their diet and therefore like to grow on its own. This guide will help beginners with quinoa gardening and growing indoors.
Growing quinoa microgreens involves seeding the quinoa seeds directly into the ground or into shallow containers with potting mix.
After sowing, you need to cover the seeds to maintain moisture presence for germinating, and mist the seeds frequently until microgreens develop cotyledons then true leaves.
Finally, hormone harvesting is done with using a sharp knife or scissors. The cut quinoa microgreens can be used right away as a supplement to diet or saved for later use by being stored in an air tight container or bag, with flavor maintained by keeping in a refrigerator.
Conditions under Which Quinoa Microgreens Grows Best
First when starting out in quinoa microgreen farming, it is important to know the best conditions for quinoa to grow well and yield maximum production.
Soil Requirement
Quinoa has better performance while growing in the soil.
Soil type, quality, and pH are the three most important considerations.
For best yield:
Use sandy-loam soil that is well-drained allowing good aeration and good fertility.
If the soil has low fertility, amending the soil with compost, manure, or organic fertilizer is a recommended practice.
Compost amendment adds organic material to the soil which will supply many of the essential nutrients that quinoa must have to grow healthy, with the best nutrients and flavor.
Organic matter also helps to improve the texture of the soil and make it soft enough for roots to spread through the soil quickly.
Helpful tip: quinoa also likes moderate salinity with the pH of the soil between 6.0 – 7.5. If the pH is above 7.5 then you can lower the alkalinity of the soil tith compost, but if you find it below 6 then you can lower the acidity with some ash.
Temperature Requirement
Quinoa is a crop that grows in warmer seasons. The ideal substrate soil temperature for germination is about 60°F to 75°F, which will stimulate seeds to germinate between 3 to 4 days.
In contrast, its optimal growing conditions are in full sun areas with shorter day lengths and day temperatures do not exceed 90°F and nighttime temperatures do not exceed 25°F
As a result, it can be grown in temperate climates.
Tip: Quinoa seeds planted in soil temperatures greater than 75°F can hinder germination and stimulate disease pressure. It’s best to refrigerate seeds before planting.
Water Requirement
Planted areas should be evenly moist and not saturated until quinoa seedlings sprout.
- Seedlings will die just as quickly from too much water as they will too little.
- You can add mulch to the plants to help hold soil moisture, as less moisture will be lost through evaporation.
- Once it has sprouted, you will want to water several times a week, but only when the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch in between watering.
Quinoa is very drought tolerant and does not need more than a total of 10 inches of water.
This is because once the quinoa plant is established, it has a robust root system.
Growing and Caring for Quinoa from Seeds to Microgreens
Seed sowing
Outdoor
In the middle of the spring season, find a growing spot that can get full sun and has well-drained soil (preferably in a raised bed).
Then, loosen the soil and prepare the growing area with compost, or mix and amend the soil with an organic fertilizer if the ground is not fertile for plants.
If planting in rows, be mindful to space them anywhere from 1- 2.5 feet apart so you can walk through the aisle to get to a row and not disturb the plants.
Then, approximately 2 weeks after the last spring frost when the soil is around 60F – 75F, sow the seeds directly into the soil. It is also helpful to consider planting along the row to help with weeding later.
One gram of seed will sow approximately a 50-foot row!
You can do this planting double by either hand or there are small double row seeders.
- When planting, be sure to scant, which means you will only drop two or three seeds at a time!
- Again, seeds aren’t large, and therefore we will want to keep them at a depth around 0.5- 1 inch into the soil and a spacing of about 8-10 inches apart.
- Then, after you have sown the seed by hand or with a small seeder, you can gently tamp down over the area you sewed with 0.25 inches deep of growing medium (fine soil) at best.
The seeds generally are at a risk of not getting ventilation if planting/spacing is too dense, the risk of disease goes up (since the plants do need ventilation).
Because the seeds will be small, they will also be at risk of waterlogging (or dehydration) being either sown deeper than normal or too shallow.
Indoor
Begin the process by starting seeds in shallow flats, cell packs, containers, or trays. Choose a flat, cell pack, or container that has drainage holes so water can escape through or you can bottom water.
Fill it with about 1 inch of a potting mix and compost. A blend of 2/3’s potting mix and 1/3 compost is excellent. You can even mix in an organic fertilizer into the potting mix.
Soak your seeds in a bowl of cold water for 8 to 12 hours, just before sowing. This will speed up germination.
Sprinkle the seeds over the soil media all at once, but do not bunch them up or over seed because this will promote mold growth. You will want to space them about 3 inches apart and not cover them with the growing media.
Moisten the soil heavy; the soil needs to remain moist.
Cover the tray with either another tray, a white plastic dome, or moist paper towels to help with germination and moisture retention.
If you are using a tray or dome, it is important to lift off the cover or ventilate on bright, warm days or the temperature may rise too high and hinder germination.
Sprouting
Place a cover over the row bed to retain soil moisture for germination.
Each day, uncover the seedbed and check topsoil drying levels, then water accordingly to keep moist.
Do not over water until the topsoil dries out between waterings.
Bottom watering is the preferred way to water:
- It is performed by taking the quinoa sprout tray (with drainage holes) and placing it under another tray (or container) without drainage holes.
- The tray/container on the bottom (without drainage) can now have water added to it, and the quinoa sprouts can absorb moisture through the holes.
Watering quinoa too much during the seedling growth stages can lead to damping or stunted growth, and after the quinoa has matured, excessive irrigation means long, “leggy” plants with low yield.
After direct sowing:
- You should always keep the seedbed (or the tray) moist and make sure soil temps are about 60°F -75°F until the seeds germinate (4-7 days) and the first seedlings have emerged.
- When the seedlings have emerged and sprouted 2-3 centimeters, can uncover them (take the humidity dome off) and expose them to light.
- For indoor farmers, keep the sprouts under grow lights for 16 hours per day (you can use a timer to turn the grow lights on and off).
When And How to Harvest Quinoa Microgreens
Usually, quinoa is ready to be harvested about 10-14 days after sowing. Or when the first leaves are about 1-2 inches long.
When the quinoa has matured, you should harvest it quickly. The stress of not getting adequate nutrients may cause the plant to die not long after mature.
Harvesting is mainly by hand using a sharp knife or scissors.
- Choose small harvesting tools as you won’t damage small fragile quinoa leaves.
- Use clean and sharp harvesting tool so you can make clean cuts to prevent any rot and bacteria from growing on your microgreens.
- You also want to make sure you harvest them with gloved hands by pulling and cutting the stem with the leaves, rather than uprooting the entire plant with the roots.
- Cut the stalks just under the leaves and into a clean container.
Only harvest what you need for immediate use.
You can always wrap the remainder in moist paper towels and place them in an airtight bag or container before putting in the refrigerate (they will last roughly a week).
Final Thoughts
Quinoa microgreens are an adaptable veggie that can grow in a wide range of temperate climate conditions, whether in the garden or on the kitchen window sill in your home.
Quinoa microgreens grow well after the last spring frost, as their seeds have a low tolerance for cold. Microgreens make a phenomenal tasting addition to the home diet and thus are terrific candidates for growing.
Quinoa is easy to grow and is low maintenance because it is drought tolerant and has few plant pests and diseases. Quinoa will be ready to harvest in ten to fourteen days.
All Quinoa microgreens need to reach maturity is to develop in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range of 6 – 7.5, moist soil, Fahrenheit temperature conditions of 60 – 75°F prior to germination, and a day temperature of 90°F and night temperature of 25°F once germination has occurred.