The Art of Microgreens

Written By: Samanvi Kotagiri

One of the many activities we enjoyed at camp was growing our own microgreens. We’d all seen the videos online showing how to grow them in plastic containers with paper towels and seeds, but at Haritachala, we aimed for a more sustainable approach. Instead of plastic containers, we used clay pots. And rather than paper towels, we opted for vermi and coco peat. The vermi, a nutrient-rich compost created by worms, had a distinctive earthy aroma, while the coco peat, derived from coconut fiber, was lightweight, spongy, and similar to soil. Akka demonstrated the layering process, starting with a base of vermi, followed by a generous layer of coco peat. She explained that a Gurubandu had tested various methods and found this combination to be the most effective for growing microgreens.

Next, Akka showed us how to spread a thick layer of mustard seeds on one half of the pot and fenugreek seeds on the other half. We then sprinkled a light layer of coco peat over the seeds and drenched the whole setup with water. To protect the seeds from pests, she covered the pots with plastic bags. We eagerly followed these steps, excited to see how our microgreens would turn out. We placed our pots carefully on the ground in GTR and looked forward to their growth. Each day, we diligently watered them, watching as they slowly grew taller and more robust.

After a few days, our microgreens had developed long, promising shoots. Akka decided it was time to move them into the sun. However, we soon discovered that our delicate plants couldn’t handle the intense Indian sun. Within just one day, they shriveled up and died. While it was disappointing to see our microgreens in that state, we took comfort in the fact that we had learned a lot. We enjoyed watching them grow and now knew what to improve for next time.