WINTER GREENS ON YOUR WINDOWSILL

Even in the darkest months, Becky Searle shows how easy it is to grow nutrient-packed microgreens at home - delivering fresh flavour, antioxidants and a welcome burst of green when the garden is resting

- 

As gardeners, we all know the pure exhilaration of a seed sprouting.

One day it's a seed, and the next it's a tiny bit of green pushing up above the soil. Within hours, it is raising tiny leaves to the heavens and growing like a little miracle. It almost seems a shame to eat them when they're this, but there are so many reasons why we should.

At this stage, our seedlings are packed with nutrients and flavours. These things are concentrated in young seedlings. When they are young and actively growing, they are also rich in antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids. These antioxidants are great for our bodies because they help reduce free radicals that can cause cell damage, which can lead to several chronic illnesses, such as heart disease. So, adding antioxidant-rich foods to our plates gives us an extra health boost, a huge hit of flavour, and something fun to do when you're indoors. They make a wonderful garnish for your meals, adding a little extra flair to your dishes and giving a big wow factor if you're entertaining.

Even better, we can grow them at home year-round, on a windowsill or in your greenhouse. They can take as little as a few days to grow and are so easy. Here's a crash course on growing microgreens like a pro.

ESSENTIAL TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SEEDS

Most of us have more than enough seeds, especially if you're a Kitchen Garden magazine reader! Our gardens and allotments produce countless seeds every year, and there's no way we can use them all the following year to grow full-sized plants. But why not use them for growing microgreens? Microgreens are grown using the same seeds as full-sized plants. Just make sure you choose good-quality seeds (homegrown are always best) and that they aren't treated.

GOOD TYPES TO TRY