Just because the days are getting shorter doesn’t mean you can’t grow plants — and you don’t need grow lamps to do it.
Microgreens and sprouts are two common products of indoor growing in winter, but both require consistent, often artificial light.
Using the same methods and the same seeds, you can also grow them in the dark with less time and effort.
Called “soil sprouting,” it involves laying seeds out on a pan of soil in a dark place for about a week, where they will quickly grow tall as they stretch in search of sunlight. It’s been promoted by gardening author Peter Burke, who wrote the book “Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening.”
He says the method is more productive for the time and space involved than sprouts or microgreens.
To try it, look for a growing medium made specifically for starting seeds, which will be lighter and less fertilizer-heavy than potting mix or compost. You can also make your own by mixing soil with peat moss or coconut medium and vermiculite or sand.
As for seeds, types that are used in microgreens should work — think peas, sunflower, broccoli, amaranth, cabbage and radish. A thin pan or baking loaf tray should work. You can line the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of fertilizer like worm castings or liquid fish feed here as well.
Then, soak the seeds in water overnight to take them out of dormancy and get them ready to grow.
The next day, get your soil wet and press the seeds into the top — don’t plant them. Dampen some paper or paper towels and press them on top, then find a warm, dark place to put them for the next four days. Add a little water if the soil feels dry.
When they reach a few inches tall, pull them out of the dark and put them in a sunny area for a few days. This will give them the ability to turn green, which means they’re ready to eat. An easy way to harvest is to give them a haircut with clean scissors.
They won’t grow back after that, so if this method works for you, keep a pan or two going at a time.
