
Basil microgreens are a delicious and nutrient-packed addition to any dish, offering an intense basil flavour in a compact form. Growing them at home is simple, rewarding, and allows you to enjoy fresh basil year-round. Follow these easy steps to cultivate your own basil microgreens.
For tips on growing basil for herb production, check out this post.
Common Basil Microgreen Varieties
Basil Genovese is the most popular microgreen basil variety, valued for its rich flavour and dark green, cupped leaves. It’s perfect for pesto, pizza, summer salads, and hearty winter soups, making it a versatile addition to any garden.
Hybrid basil is bred for enhanced mildew resistance, making it a robust choice for growers in various conditions. Its dark green, glossy leaves deliver a sweet yet slightly peppery flavour with a fragrant aroma. This variety excels in pizza, pesto, salads, and soups while maintaining strong disease resistance.
Dark Opal basil boasts a striking purple and green mix, offering both visual appeal and an intense, slightly spicy flavour. Sweeter and hardier than traditional green basil, it adds vibrant colour and bold taste to sandwiches, salads, and garnishes. Fast-growing and easy to cultivate, it’s a standout addition to your microgreen selection.
Red Rubin basil features uniform, deep burgundy leaves with a matching purple stem, creating a stunning visual contrast. Its rich, peppery flavour adds a bold kick to dishes, making it perfect for salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. This microgreen variety delivers both vibrant colour and distinctive taste.
Stay tuned for exciting new basil varieties coming soon to Ausalium!
What You’ll Need
- Seeds: Use high-germination seeds from trusted sources like Ausallium for best results.
- Growing Medium: Use high-quality soil, hemp felt, coconut coir or another well-draining medium.
- Tray or container: Any shallow tray with drainage holes will work.
- Light Source: Can use natural light or grow lights.
- Water: Use a watering can or spray bottle to keep the medium consistently moist.
Growing Guide
Step 1: Prepare Your Growing Medium
Fill your tray with a well-draining medium, levelling it just below the top. Moisten it evenly, ensuring it's damp but not soaked.
Step 2: Sow the Seeds
Evenly sprinkle basil seeds across the surface without excessive overlap. Since basil seeds are mucilaginous, they form a gel-like coating when wet, aiding germination - do not pre-soak. Mist lightly to initiate this process.
Step 3: Cover and Germinate
Cover the seeded tray with a clear lid or plastic wrap to create a humid environment, essential for germination. Place the tray in a warm area, maintaining a temperature between 21-24°C. Check daily to ensure the soil remains moist, misting as needed. Germination usually takes 2-5 days.
Step 4: Provide Light
Once seeds have germinated and small sprouts appear, remove the cover and expose them to light. Basil microgreens need plenty of light from grow lights or the sun to develop properly. Sufficient lighting prevents legginess and ensures rich color.
Step 5: Watering
Maintain consistent moisture by watering from the bottom. Place the tray in a shallow container with water, allowing the soil to absorb moisture through drainage holes. This method reduces the risk of mould and keeps stems dry. Avoid overwatering to prevent damping off.
Step 6: Harvesting
Basil microgreens are typically ready to harvest 10-14 days after germination when they reach about 5-7.5 cm in height and have developed their first true leaves. To harvest, use sharp scissors to cut the stems just above the soil line. For optimal flavour and shelf life, harvest in the morning when the plants are most hydrated.
For additional tips, refer to Ausallium's Easy Growing Guide!
Avoiding Common Growing Issues
Here are some trouble-shooting tips for issues you may encounter growing basil microgreens:
- Low germination: Avoid pre-soaking seeds, as they are mucilaginous.
- Mould: Ensure proper air circulation and avoid overwatering to prevent mould. Using a fan can help improve airflow around the microgreens.
- Leggy Growth: Provide sufficient light to prevent stretched, weak stems. If natural light is inadequate, consider using grow lights.
- Damping-Off: Maintain cleanliness by sanitising trays before use and avoid excessive moisture to reduce the risk of this fungal disease.
Storing Seeds
Proper seed storage ensures the longevity and viability of your seed. Follow these tips when storing your basil seed:
- Cool and Dry: store away from heat and sunlight.
- Airtight containers: Use a sealed jar or bag to prevent moisture exposure.
- Label: Mark the container with the basil variety and storage date for easy tracking.
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Moisture Prevention: If in a humid climate, add silica gel packets or dry rice to absorb excess moisture.
Health Benefits and Uses
Basil microgreens aren’t just delicious, they're loaded with health benefits, including:
- Vitamins: Rich in A, C, K, and E for overall wellness.
- Minerals: Provide calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium.
- Antioxidants: Help combat oxidative stress, supporting overall health.
Incorporate basil microgreens into salads, sandwiches, soups, or as a garnish to enhance flavour and nutritional value to your favourite meals.
Final Thoughts:
By following these steps, you can successfully grow fresh, flavourful basil microgreens at home. Whether you're a home grower or an urban farmer, basil microgreens are an easy, rewarding way to enjoy this herb year-round.
Get all your basil seeds from Ausallium today and start growing!