Sow pea shoots in a shallow tray

Before you start

Choose untreated seeds sold for edible pea shoots and follow the packet’s sowing and harvest instructions. Wash your hands and start with clean trays and fresh growing mix. Set the tray where it can drain without sharing a work surface with raw meat or other sources of contamination.

Tools and materials

• Pea seeds sold for edible shoots
• Clean tray with drainage holes
• Drip tray
• Fresh seed compost
• Clean scissors

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Fill the tray

   Add a shallow layer of compost, moisten it and let excess water drain into the drip tray.

2. 2

   Sow and label

   Follow the packet for soaking, spacing and sowing depth. Spread the seeds evenly so they are easy to water and label the tray with the sowing date.

3. 3

   Check the tray daily

   Move the tray to bright light after germination. When the growing mix begins to dry, add a little water to the drip tray, let it soak up from below, then empty any excess.

4. 4

   Cut the tops

   When the shoots reach the packet’s recommended harvest stage, wash your hands and snip the stems above the compost with clean scissors. Keep the cut shoots away from the tray and roots.

Check the result

Harvest the leafy tops above the growing mix. Leave the seeds, roots and compost in the tray. Check that the cut shoots are free of growing mix and rinse them under running drinking water before use.

References

• Penn State Extension guide to growing microgreens at home