Do you love popcorn? Would you love to be able to enjoy the deliciousness of popcorn and reap the benefits of microgreens? Now you can, thanks to the popcorn microgreen seeds available at True Leaf Market. Popcorn microgreens are some of the sweetest microgreens you will ever have the privilege of tasting.
Popcorn microgreens are chockful of nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamins, A, C, E, magnesium, calcium, and chlorophyll. Popcorn microgreens strengthen your bones, increase your energy levels, and boost your immune system.
Our popcorn microgreen profile provides you with the information you need to grow popcorn microgreens at home. The following table is easy to understand and includes the pertinent information needed to successfully grow popcorn microgreens. The table includes flavor profile information, germination times, growing times, and days to harvest.
| Attribute | Profile |
| Flavor | Popcorn microgreens are extremely sweet and delicious. |
| Pre-Soak (Yes/No) | Yes – The seeds should be soaked for 8 hours om cold water. |
| Color | Popcorn microgreens are bright yellow. |
| Germination Time | Your popcorn microgreens will germinate within 2 to 3 days. |
| Harvest Time | Popcorn microgreens are ready for harvest in about 1 week. |
| Green Thumb Level (1-5) | 3 – Popcorn microgreens are easy to grow as long as you follow our growing instructions. |
If growing popcorn microgreens is new to you, you probably have a few questions. We have gathered the most frequently asked questions and provided the answers for you.
No – Like most other types of microgreens, popcorn microgreens will not regrow once they are harvested.
Popcorn microgreens are extremely fast-growing. They are ready for harvest in as little as 7 days.
Popcorn microgreens are bright yellow and have a sugary, sweet flavor. They are delicious in salads or sandwiches. In addition to this, popcorn microgreens are a beautiful, edible garnish.
Popcorn microgreens are filled with antioxidants and nutrients that strengthen your bones, boost your immunity, and provide antioxidant protection.
In order to effectively grow popcorn microgreens, you will need several pieces of equipment. On average, you should expect to spend a few hundred dollars on microgreen growing equipment. There are several microgreen growing methods; however, the following growing method will help ensure your microgreen growing success.
A Deluxe Microgreen Starter Kit from True Leaf Market contains the basic equipment needed to grow popcorn microgreens. These kits come with the growing tray needed for microgreen gardening, a variety of seeds, a misting bottle, and a sample of growing medium. In addition to this starter kit, we recommend the optional equipment listed below as they will help ensure a bountiful crop while minimizing the risk of soil-borne disease.
Some people prefer to purchase individual pieces of equipment. You may already own some of the items needed to grow popcorn microgreens.
Because your popcorn microgreen seeds are large and hard, they must be presoaked before planting. You will need to be able to soak and drain your seeds. We recommend using a mason jar with a screw-on lid.
There are a few options when it comes to popcorn microgreen growing mediums. For optimal growth and minimal mold issues, we recommend using coconut coir as your growing medium.
Coconut coir is manufactured from the husks of coconuts. The husks are washed, dried, and pulverized. After the pulverized husks have completely dried, they are compressed into blocks or bricks. Coconut coir has a neutral pH level, making it a great option for growing microgreens.
A soilless seed starting growing medium contains extra nutrients that are designed to help plants grow. Microgreens are harvested within days of germinating. The nutrients the microgreens need to thrive are already contained in the microgreen seed; therefore, these extra nutrients are not needed.
You will need a total of three trays for your popcorn microgreens. You will need one tray with drainage holes and two without drainage holes. We recommend using 10-inch by 20-inch growing trays.
The tray with drainage holes holds the growing medium and seeds while allowing any excess water to drain from the growing medium, this helps prevent overwatering and reduces the risk of mold.
The two trays without holes are used as a blackout dome for germination and a way to hold water for bottom watering during the growth phase.
A misting bottle lets you water your popcorn microgreens with a fine mist that will not disturb the seeds or delicate microgreen roots.
A full spectrum grow light provides the light your popcorn microgreens need for optimal growth. The LED light will be placed across the grow tray about a foot above the top of your microgreen tray. Although this is considered an optional piece of equipment, we recommend investing in grow lights as they will increase the harvest.
A heating mat is designed to maintain optimal soil temperatures which increase the germination rate of your popcorn microgreens.
A planting rack has multiple shelves so you can grow several trays of microgreens in a small amount of space. This rack also provides a way to easily attach circulation fans and grow lights.
Circulation fans increase the airflow around your popcorn microgreens. Because the microgreens are planted very close together, the risk of soilborne illnesses like mildew and mold increases. Circulation fans help keep the microgreens dry to minimize these issues.
Organic Yellow Popcorn Microgreen Seeds – Mountain Valley Seed Company's organic microgreen seeds are non-GMO, heirloom seeds that produce delicious, bright yellow microgreens that are sweet and crunchy.
Robust Yellow Hulles Hybrid Popcorn Microgreen Seeds – Mountain Valley Seed Company's Robust Yellow Hulles Hybrid microgreen seeds are non-GMO seeds that produce crunch, sweet popcorn microgreens.
Do you want to grow sweet, delicious popcorn microgreens? We have provided you with detailed growing instructions to help ensure your success. Grab your supplies and follow these directions for a bountiful harvest of popcorn microgreens.
Before planting your popcorn microgreen seeds, you will want to soak them for about 8 hours. Popcorn seeds are very hard. Soaking helps soften the seeds, which increases the germination rate of popcorn microgreens. Place between 8 and 12 ounces of popcorn microgreen seeds in your mason jar. Then add enough cool water to cover the seeds. Soak your microgreens for 8 hours. Then, drain and rinse your popcorn microgreens before moving to the next step.
The first thing you must do is prepare your growing trays for planting. Grab your microgreen growing tray with drainage holes and fill it with your growing medium. Use your hands or a piece of cardboard and press down the growing medium to slightly compact it. Add more growing medium and compact it until the level is about one-quarter of an inch below the top of the grow tray.
Once the tray is filled, the soil must be moistened and prepared for planting. There are a couple of methods you can use to moisten your growing medium, including soaking the grow tray in water or using your misting bottle to wet the soil.
If you will be using your misting bottle, you will want to spray the entire surface of your growing medium and then allow the growing medium to absorb the water. You will need to mist and allow the growing medium to absorb the water four to five more times. Your growing medium must be thoroughly saturated before planting your popcorn microgreen seeds.
If you decide to soak your growing medium in water, run about one inch of water in your sink and place your grow tray in the sink. Allow the growing medium to soak up the water for about 45 minutes. Then, remove from the water, let any excess water drain out for about 15 minutes before planting your popcorn microgreen seeds.
The final step is placing the tray with drainage holes inside a tray without drainage holes. This will allow you to bottom water your microgreens during the growth process.
You will need between 8 and 12 ounces of popcorn microgreen seeds for each growing tray. Sow your seeds evenly across the entire surface of the growing tray. Then, sprinkle a couple of handfuls of growing medium on top of your seeds.
Gently pat the soil and seeds down with your hands. You want to ensure the popcorn microgreen seeds are well seated in the soil. Then, use your misting bottle to moisten the soil. It will only take three or four sprays to dampen the soil.
A couple of things are needed for a seed to germinate, including pressure and darkness. We can mimic this with a grow tray without holes and a brick, a heavy stone, a weight, or a book.
Begin by inverting a grow tray without holes on the planted seeds. Then, add the weight to help press the inverted tray onto the growing medium. This will help block out all light and apply the pressure needed for optimal germination.
Many new microgreen growers worry that the darkness and the light will prevent their seeds from germinating or will damage their delicate microgreen plants. The exact opposite actually happens. The darkness increases germination rates while the weight ensures the tiny plants develop strong roots, which in turn helps develop strong, healthy microgreens.
Once you have sown your microgreen seeds, it is time to place the tray on a heat mat. The ideal soil temperature for germination is 75 degrees. Set the heat mat to the recommended temperature to increase the germination rate of your popcorn microgreens.
On average, it should take two to three days for your popcorn microgreens to germinate. A tray is considered germinated when 90 percent of the seeds have germinated. Once this occurs, you are ready to move to the next step.
During the germination process, you will need to check the moisture level of the growing medium. It should feel slightly damp. If it begins to dry out, mist the growing medium with your misting bottle and then replace the inverted tray.
Once your popcorn microgreens have germinated, you will need to remove the inverted tray, turn off the heat mat, and expose the microgreens to light. When the inverted tray is first removed, your popcorn microgreens will be crooked, white, and look sickly. Don't worry; this is normal. Once they are exposed to light, they will straighten, strengthen, and turn a beautiful bright yellow.
Your grow lights should be placed approximately 8 to 12 inches from your popcorn microgreens. Popcorn microgreens need about 16 hours of daylight and 8 hours of darkness each day during the growth period. You can purchase a timer to control your grow light to take the guesswork out.
While your popcorn microgreens are growing, you need to keep them watered. Too much water can cause mold to develop, while too little water can cause your microgreens to dry out, wilt, and eventually die.
Check the moisture level daily. If the soil has become dry to the touch, use the bottom watering method. Slightly lift the tray and pour about a cup of water into the bottom tray. Allow the growing medium to soak up the water for about an hour. Then, pour off any remaining water in the bottom tray.
Circulation fans are designed to increase the airflow around your popcorn microgreens. This increased airflow reduces the risk of mold and other soilborne issues.
Attach the circulation fan to the side of the planting rack, ensuring the air blows across the top of the popcorn microgreens rather than across the soil surface. If the air blows across the soil surface, it can dry the soil out too quickly.
Your popcorn microgreens will be ready for harvest in about a week. The popcorn microgreens will turn a beautiful bright yellow and will reach a height of about 4 to 5 inches.
Knowing when to harvest your popcorn microgreens is an art. You will need to begin tasting your popcorn microgreens on day 5 or once your microgreens reach a height of at least 4 inches. Once they have turned a deliciously sweet flavor, they will be ready for harvest.
Once they have reached the flavor profile that you want, withhold any watering for about 12 hours. This will help ensure your popcorn microgreens will remain fresh for a longer period of time.
Once your popcorn microgreens are ready for harvest, you will only need a few items. You will need a pair of sharp scissors or a sharp knife and about three clean paper towels.
During the harvesting process, you will want to ensure everything remains as dry as possible. If your popcorn microgreens are exposed to moisture, their life expectancy will be diminished.
Place the paper towels on your countertop, then hold the popcorn microgreens in one hand and cut them about a quarter of an inch above the soil surface. Work as quickly as possible as air exposure reduces the life expectancy of your popcorn microgreens.
If you will be using your popcorn microgreens immediately, give them a quick rinse in cool, not cold water. Then, place them on a paper towel to dry.
If you will be storing your popcorn microgreens, do not expose them to water. Instead, continue to the next step.
Using proper storage procedures will help maximize the life expectancy of your popcorn microgreens. You will need an airtight storage container or an airtight storage bag. In addition to this, you will need one clean, dry paper towel.
Gather your harvest popcorn microgreens and wrap them loosely in the paper towel. The paper towel will absorb any moisture that is released from the microgreen during storage, which will increase the storage time of your popcorn microgreens.
Place your wrapped microgreens in your storage container and place them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. For optimal storage time, adjust the temperature of your refrigerator to 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. When properly harvested and stored, your popcorn microgreens will remain fresh for about a week to a week and a half.
When you are ready to eat your popcorn microgreens, they will need to be rinsed. Quickly rinse them in cool water and place them on a paper towel to dry.
Popcorn microgreens are absolutely delicious and beautiful. The sweet corn flavor pairs beautifully with sharp microgreens like radish and kale. Popcorn microgreens can be added to salads, used as a sandwich topping, or as a bright, edible garnish.
