Many new microgreen growers are surprised to learn that they can grow corn microgreens. These microgreens have a unique sweet flavor and bright yellow color. The crunchy fresh texture of corn microgreens is a perfect accompaniment in salads, garnishes, and side dishes.
Corn microgreens offer a number of health benefits thanks to the many nutrients found in these delicious microgreens, including:
Corn microgreens are a fun type of microgreen to grow. Our easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions will teach you how to grow corn microgreens. You will learn the supplies required to plant corn microgreens, the steps needed to harvest corn microgreens, and how to store corn microgreens.
Our corn microgreen profile provides you with the information needed to quickly ascertain how to grow corn microgreens.
| Attribute | Profile |
| Flavor | Corn microgreens have a sweet, sugary corn flavor. |
| Pre-Soak (Yes/No) | Corn microgreen seeds must be soaked 8 to 12 hours before planting. |
| Color | Corn microgreens have a bright yellow color, which adds interest to your favorite microgreen dishes. |
| Germination Time | Corn microgreen seeds will germinate in 2 to 3 days. |
| Harvest Time | You can expect to harvest your corn microgreen within 7 days of planting. |
| Green Thumb Level (1-5) | 2-3 – Growing corn microgreens is not difficult. |
Growing corn microgreens is quite different than other types of microgreens; however, when our easy-to-understand step-by-step instructions are followed, they are quite easy to grow. Continue reading to learn how to prepare, grow, harvest, and store corn microgreens.
Growing corn microgreens often produces numerous questions, especially if you are a novice microgreen gardener. We have gathered the most frequently asked questions about corn microgreens and provided you with the much sought-after answers.
No. Corn microgreens will not regrow once harvested.
Corn microgreens are extremely fast-growing. You can expect to harvest corn microgreens within 5 to 7 days of planting.
Absolutely! Because corn microgreens are harvested so quickly, you can use any variety of corn seeds.
Corn microgreens are filled with numerous vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, calcium, and iron.
Corn microgreens can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. You can add them to smoothies, sandwiches, salads, omelets, and many other types of foods.
Because the corn microgreens are grown in the dark, the risk of mold is greater. Mold can quickly decimate a crop. You can reduce the risk of mold development by ensuring your equipment is squeaky clean. One way to do this is to wipe your equipment down in a diluted solution of bleach and water and allowing the equipment to air dry before using.
You will need a few pieces of equipment to successfully grow corn microgreens, including growing trays, growing medium, seeds, a misting bottle, and a few pieces of optional equipment. Although corn microgreens can be grown hydroponically, we recommend growing microgreens corn in a growing medium like coconut coir.
One of the easiest ways to grow corn microgreens is to purchase a starter kit like the deluxe microgreen kit from True Leaf Market. This kit contains everything you need to begin microgreen gardening. You may also want to consider purchasing the optional equipment listed below.
If you prefer, you can purchase individual pieces of equipment for growing corn microgreens. You will need the following pieces of equipment.
Pint mason jars with screw top lids are the perfect choice for soaking corn microgreen seeds. Your corn microgreens seeds will need to be soaked for 8 to 12 hours. If you wish to pre-sprout your seeds, you can soak your seeds overnight. Once your corn microgreens have soaked, drain them in a colander and rinse thoroughly before planting.
There are many options when it comes to growing corn microgreens indoors. These microgreens can be grown hydroponically, in soil, or in a soilless growing medium. We recommend growing corn microgreens in coconut coir due to the coir's ability to hold water while reducing the risk of mold, mildew, or other soilborne diseases.
Coconut Coir – Coconut coir is created by grinding up the husks of coconuts, making this soilless growing medium a renewable resource. Coconut coir can absorb ten times its weight in water, allowing you to easily grow microgreens without the fear of them drying out too quickly. Furthermore, coconut coir sheds surface water, which reduces the risk of mold on your microgreens.
Seed Starting Soil – Seed starting potting soil is fine-grained soil specifically created to provide seeds with the nutrients needed for optimal growth and development. Although your corn microgreens will grow fine in seed starting soil, the added nutrients are not needed because of the short growing cycle of corn microgreens.
Microgreen growing trays allow you to conveniently plant and grow corn microgreens. For each batch of corn microgreens, you will need a total of three trays. You will need one tray with holes in the bottom and two trays without holes. We recommend using the 10 inch by 20 inch growing trays.
With Holes – The growing tray with holes will hold your growing medium and seeds. It will be placed inside one of your other trays to allow for bottom watering.
Without Holes – You will need two trays without holes. One tray will hold your growing tray with holes and the other tray will be used as a humidity dome for your corn microgreens.
A simple mister will be used to carefully water your corn microgreens. This bottle puts out a fine mist that will not disturb the delicate plants as they grow.
A planting rack allows you to store multiple trays of microgreens in one location. This rack saves on floor space by allowing you to stack your microgreen trays vertically.
Yellow Popcorn Organic Microgreen Seeds by True Leaf Market is an organic microgreen that tastes like fresh, sweet corn. This easy-to-grow corn microgreen is ready for harvest in approximately 7 days.
Growing corn microgreens is different than other types of microgreens, but don't worry. Our easy-to-understand and follow directions will help you successfully grow corn microgreens.
Before you begin preparing your growing trays, you will want to soak your corn microgreen seeds. Place your seeds in your mason jar and cover the seeds with an inch or two of water. Allow the kernels to soak for 8 to 12 hours to soften up. You can allow the corn kernels to soak for up to 24 hours. Once the corn microgreen seeds have softened, it is time to prepare your microgreen trays for plantings.
Begin by adding a cup or two of water to the bottom of one of your growing trays without holes. Place your growing tray with the holes inside the tray containing water. Then, fill the tray with about 2 to 3 inches of growth. Wet the surface of the growing medium and use the other tray to flatten the surface so the growing medium is flat and even across the entire surface of the tray.
After you have prepared your trays, it is time to sow your corn microgreen seeds. Spread the seeds evenly across the entire surface of the growing medium. It is okay if your corn microgreen seeds touch; however, space them out as much as possible. Gently water your corn microgreen seeds one more time and press the seeds down using the remaining grow tray.
Microgreens must be kept in the dark during the germination process. Covering your corn microgreens with the other tray will help keep your microgreens in the dark. Place your growing tray in a dark location. Your corn microgreens should germinate within 2 days.
Unlike other microgreens, corn microgreens must remain in total darkness throughout their growth cycle. If your corn microgreens are exposed to light, photosynthesis will begin occurring. If this occurs, the microgreen shoots will become fibrous and bitter.
To help keep your corn microgreens yellow and tender, keep the lid on the plants throughout the growth stage. Only remove the lid when you water the microgreens. Set your corn microgreen misting bottle to mist and carefully mist the entire grow tray once a day to prevent your corn microgreens from drying out.
As soon as you have watered your corn microgreens, replace the lid on your growing tray. Make sure that the lid is on snugly and there is no way any light can enter the growing tray.
Your corn microgreens should be ready to harvest in 6 to 7 days. The microgreens should be a beautiful, delicate yellow and may have a very light green tint. You will want to taste the corn microgreens to determine if they have developed the sweet corn taste you have come to love. If they have not, replace the lid and wait a while longer. If your microgreens are delicious, it is time to harvest your corn microgreens.
When your corn microgreens reach 2 to 4 inches tall and have developed the taste you want, it is time to harvest your corn microgreens. You will need a sharp pair of scissors or a sharp knife along with a couple of clean paper towels when it is time to harvest the corn microgreens.
Grasp the microgreens in one hand and cut them slightly above the soil level. Place the cut microgreens on the clean paper towels.
If you will be immediately eating your corn microgreens, you will need to immediately wash them by placing them in a bowl of cool, not cold water. Swirl the microgreens around and then allow to air dry on clean paper towels.
If you will be storing your microgreens, do not get the corn microgreens wet. Instead, work quickly and follow the instructions on how to store corn microgreens.
When properly stored, corn microgreens can be enjoyed for approximately a week. Avoid watering your corn microgreens 12 hours before harvesting to reduce the risk of mold and bacteria. Excess moisture can increase the risk of bacteria and cause your microgreens to lose their crispiness.
Once you have cut your corn microgreens, place them between two pieces of paper towels and gently pat them to remove any excess water. If the paper towels become wet from this blotting action, place the corn microgreens between two clean, dry paper towels. Then place the wrapped microgreens in a plastic bag or storage container and place them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
When you are ready to serve your corn microgreens, remove them from the refrigerator and wash them following the instructions listed above. Allow the microgreens to air dry or give them a spin in your salad spinner before adding them to your favorite microgreens dish.
Corn microgreens are delicious. They have a sweet corn flavor that many people love when mixed with other types of microgreens. Although the growing directions for corn microgreens are different than other microgreens, they are not difficult to grow. The most important thing to remember is to not expose your corn microgreens to light as this will activate the photosynthesis process and cause your corn microgreens to become fibrous, tough, and bitter.
