Adding weight on top of your microgreen growing trays helps to trap humidity within the tray, press the seeds down into the medium and will also provide resistance for the seeds to push against, helping to shed their seed hulls and encourage stronger stem growth. These factors contribute to even germination and generally stronger microgreen growth. Weight is added throughout the blackout period, until germination occurs and is useful for some varieties, but not all. Weights should be around 2-3kgs, a common example of something of this weight is a household brick. The following is a list of microgreens that have been found to have strong benefits when a weight is added. However, there are microgreens that aren’t listed as there isn’t enough information on the effects of weighting them or it is not recommended. It should also be noted that all microgreens will grow without weight, however the following listed, benefit in terms of even, successful germination.
Microgreen varieties you should add weight to:
- Basil
- Beetroot
- Coriander
- Dill
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Pea varieties
- Rocket
- Silverbeet/Chard
- Shiso
- Sunflower
