But when the skies turn grey and the temperature drops, our plants suffer a little from the harsh cold weather.

Just-harvested fresh veggies may seem like a distant dream on the cusp of winter. Take heart. You can easily grow your beloved microgreens indoors in a controlled environment.

Microgreens are small shoots of vegetables that are immensely flavourful and packed with nutrients. These are seedlings typically harvested when the true leaves appear. Growing microgreens is a great way to produce healthy food in a pocket-friendly manner. And since you are going to plant your microgreens indoors, you can enjoy the harvest even during the winter season with a little effort. Here are some tips on growing microgreens in the winter season:

Grow indoors to protect from cold winds

Strong and cold winter winds can hurt the plant growth. To protect your microgreens from harsh cold winds, you can grow them indoors. 

To grow microgreens indoors in winter you don't require a big pot. A one-inch deep small tray is all you will need to grow your microgreens. Ensure that your potting tray has some drainage holes for water to drain and keep an additional one underneath your potting tray to keep the surfaces safe and spill-proof.

Read to learn more about how to grow microgreens from seeds at home.

Soak seeds to make germination easier

Winters can make the germination process a bit tough. Therefore, soaking the microgreen seeds overnight will speed up the germination process. Seeds do not require any sunlight to germinate, but warm and misted soil helps in speeding the germination process. To provide additional heat in the cold winter season, you can keep your tray on heating mats until the seeds start to sprout. Keep your soil moist by gently spraying water around 2-3 times a day.

Use grow lights if natural light is low

It can be tough to find direct sunlight in the winter season and once the seeds start to germinate, you will need to move your tray to a window sill where your microgreens can receive indirect sunlight. However, if the supply of sunlight is limited in your area, you can make use of grow lights to nurture your microgreens. A grow light is an electric light that acts as a replacement for sunlight and provides a light spectrum tailored to the needs of your plant. And it can come in handy when the sun is hiding behind the clouds.

Prevent mold formation

Due to the lack of sunlight in the winter season, your microgreens can fall prey to mold. It happens when the air circulation is less or the potting soil is too wet. To prevent the formation of mold on your microgreens in the winter season, you can cover your plants with a cheesecloth instead of a plastic sheet. This will allow air circulation and prevent your microgreens from mold. Lastly, ensure that your soil is not soaking wet but damp.

Harvest in 2-3 weeks

Microgreens that are planted indoors in the winter season get ready to be harvested within 2-3 weeks. Start harvesting as soon as the true leaves appear. Use a pair of scissors and snip just above the soil. You can store your microgreens in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. However, it's best consumed fresh. When you harvest all the microgreens, the potting tray can be reused to create another micro-farm with new seeds.

When you see how simple it is to grow microgreens at home, you will start to love doing this all year round.