mold.

My amaranth has grown, but I planted it far too thickly and it has become moldy; I will therefore start more. I am going to start more cilantro in the method outlined here: http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/herb/tips-for-growing-cilantro.htm as my cilantro micros have also failed to germinate.

Sprouts, however, are growing extremely well, and for the past few days Tarek and I have been eating salads comprised entirely of home-grown mini-vegetables. Nummy! I am about to have another such salad before getting to the cilantro starting.

peas and cilantro

Peas are starting to germinate. Peas that I got for $2.50 for a kilo, that is. I am pleased by this.

The cilantro micros are not happy, though; I think I'll restart them tonight, after reading a bit about germination needs for cilantro.

Thank you, Tarek, for taking care of the sprout cupboard this morning.

I've got my camera now, so when I find the cable for it, I will start posting photos (probably by Monday).

More seeds

I now have the following seeds sprouting/microgreening:

amaranth

onion

fenugreek

celery

arugula

sunflower

alfalfa (not my favourite)

peas (going to try grocery store dried peas next)

radish

daikon radish

broccoli

tatsoi (recovered tray brought home by Tarek)

lettuce

beets

swiss chard

cilantro

I think that's all for now. I have several trays of a few of these, since I like them a lot. Arugula, pea shoots, broccoli and sunflower are the favorites for now; they grow quickly and/or produce larger micros and shoots. I am now at about 1/3 homegrown ingredients for my daily salad! It takes a bit longer to harvest from the various growing trays than to pull it all out of a bag or box, but I like it.

gravity feed dripline

http://depts.washington.edu/propplnt/Chapters/Gravity%20fed%20irrigation%20System.htm

This is what I will be using for my outdoor, rooftop project this year. It will use the water left from washing veggies and soaking rice noodles.

amaranth and cilantro, day 2

My amaranth is sprouting! The cilantro looks as though it will send out rootlets very soon as well. I will have photos soon.

Cilantro too.

Here is what I have learned about cilantro microgreens, just now, from "the growing edge" magazine:

"Cilantro is a warm season crop and needs at least 22to 26 degrees C for germination - conditions similar to what's required by basil."

Anyway, that means the spot in the office where my worklamp is set up will work great, since the heater is right there and it is always very warm. They don't like to dry out, so the vermiculite/pearlite bedding I've been trying out is what they will get.

My beet seeds are starting to sprout, I just noticed! Nummy!

amaranth

Tonight I am going to start amaranth microgreens. Perhaps the seeds available at the Herb and Spice Shop will work just fine; I think they will.