As mentioned earlier in this newsletter, the recent bitter cold weather hit us hard at Toppled Barn Farm and most of our crops did not fare well.

After surveying the damage to our existing crops we realized we had to figure out a way to offer our loyal customers fresh nutrient-dense veggies while we wait for the new spring crops to grow.

Many of the greens we grow can take up to four weeks or longer before they are ready for harvest. And the roots, like carrots, take even longer.

But…microgreens take only 10-14 days from seeding to harvest! Growing them gives quick access to fresh local food when other options are limited. Plus, if there was a nutrient density scale, they would be near the top! In fact, according to researchers with the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the USDA, “microgreens four to 40 times more nutrients than their mature counterparts…” https://agnr.umd.edu/news/mighty-microgreens

Microgreens fall between sprouts and baby greens on the growth spectrum. They are larger with more green in their leaves than sprouts and smaller than baby greens. We usually harvest them at 2-4 inches tall.

Microgreens are best when eaten raw and can be added to your favorite sandwiches, tacos, sprinkled on pizza and omelets, or can be eaten all by themselves as a microgreen salad.

We typically offer different varieties of microgreens for you to try. One of our favorites is sun shoots grown from sunflower seeds. They are large and succulent and kids love to eat them as a snack. Make sure to pick off any remaining black seed hulls though before eating.

Another favorite is broccoli microgreens. They are small, but very tasty!

If you like radishes, you may like radish microgreens. They are excellent on sandwiches and in salads.

We are also experimenting with two microgreens mixes. You will get three different varieties all in one package.

The mild mix contains broccoli, kale, and Chinese cabbage. They each add their own unique colors and flavor profiles to this mix. The Chinese cabbage has gorgeous lime green leaves with bright white stems. Kale has dark green leaves with pink tinted stems, and the broccoli has dark green leaves with greenish white stems.

The spicy mix has broccoli and kale microgreens along with a radish variety. It is called “Triton Purple Stem” which adds a spicy punch of flavor and splash of color to the mix.

So while you are waiting for the next crop of our delicious lettuce and salad mix to grow, why not try some microgreens? We think you will be pleasantly surprised!