How to grow Microgreens with Paper Towel Method (Advantages and Disadvantages)

by Becky Decker and Anita Shan · August 22, 2024

I was totally unaware of the method of growing microgreens with a paper towel but I wanted to learn and I did the research. Today I’m enjoying eating microgreens consisting of many benefits.

Don’t worry fellow plant lovers who don’t know about microgreens today, I am here to explain to you about microgreens what are the benefits of growing them eating them, how to grow them on paper towels, the advantages and disadvantages of growing microgreens, and many more. I assure you that after reading the article you will be left with no further questions.

Quick takeaways:

Growing micro green on a paper towel method is an easy way to grow healthy home Grounds and herbs in your home.
Microgreens grown on paper towels are a great way to put healthy homegrown sprouts and herbs on your table year-round.

What are microgreens?

Microprene is considered to be a vegetable and herb at the beginning stages like broccoli kale, arugula, and beets. All who think microgreens are just baby plants but it’s totally wrong they are not. You can have the best them after the first blooming set of leaves is developed.

If you are thinking what’s the point of growing them as your house plant read the article below you will get all the answers to your questions.

How to grow Microgreens with Paper Towel Method (Advantages and Disadvantages)

Benefits of eating microgreens:

The microgreens feature both concentrated flavors and health benefits. If you boast then 4 to 10 times more nutrition will be provided than a fully matured vegetable or herb.

Talking about the flavor, all the flavor is similar to the head of broccoli contained in a tiny plant which is why greens are fun to grow and cook Other favorite micro greens are Radish, mustard, and arugula.

Microgreens do consist of concentrated levels of Vitamin E C and K and other minerals like potassium iron zinc magnesium and copper which is also an antioxidant and polyphenols

Methods of growing microgreens:

The possibility of growing microgreens can be done using soil hydroponic or paper towel methods.
Every method has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Although microgreens do require consistent moisture proper air flow and adequate lightening.
If you take care of the microgreens they are ready to be harvested in just a few weeks with the fresh and nutrient-dense addition to the meal.
If you grow microgreen using the paper towel method it will be accessible and you can enjoy the flavorful and nutritious green

Choose Paper Towel Microgreens.

1. Cost-effective:

Paper towels are easily available in most households which makes them cost-effective when compared to the traditional growing medium such as using soil or hydroponic setups.
If you grow micro green on a paper towel then there is no need to invest in supplies which will save you money and you can enjoy the benefit of microbrain by growing them at home.

2. Accessibility:

It is not compulsory for everyone to have an outdoor garden or the equipment that is required for hydroponic setup.
Using a paper towel to grow microgreens is a simple solution by which you can have your own fresh microgreens in the indoor Garden.

3. Convenience:

Using paper towels is a convenient method that requires minimal setup and maintenance.
They are easy to grow on a kitchen countertop, on a Windowsill, or in a small corner of the house.
You can easily clean the paper towel after harvesting the microgreen.

Getting Started: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Gather Supplies:

If you want to start growing microgreen on the paper towel, you need to have the following item items:

Take a sheet of paper towel which should be branded because it doesn’t consist of any chemicals or dyes.
Need organic seeds according to the microgreen variety you want to grow.
Shallow tree or container having drainage hole.
You need a water spray bottle.
A plastic rap or a transparent lid it can be optional but I recommend it.

Step 2: Prepare the seed Tray:

First, you need to prepare the seed tray for that you need to place the thick layer of paper towel in the plastic tray and make sure it covers the entire bottom surface.
Make sure to moisten up the paper towel thoroughly with water Which should be damp not dripping wet

Step 3: Sow the Seeds:

Now you need to Sprinkle the microgreen seeds all over the moist paper towel.
Always keep in mind not to overcrowd the seed and allow sufficient space to grow.
After spreading the seed you need to press the seed into the paper towel for good contact.

Step 4: Provide Moisture:

To provide moisture mist the seed with clean water using a spray bottle.
Make sure to consistently moist the paper towel for the germination process.
Avoid oversaturating the microgreen because it will lead to mold growth.

Step 5: Create a Greenhouse Effect:

Here you need to cover the tray with plastic wrap or use a transparent lid that will create a greenhouse effect.
All this will help retain the moisture and speed up germination.
Using plastic wrap for covering then you need to make a small hole for Air circulation.

Step 6: Germination and Growth

Always place the tray in a warm location but away from direct sunlight.
You need to check the moisture level daily and mist the soil if it is necessary.
You will see seeds sprouting out within a few days.
After which you can remove the plastic wrap or transparent lid and place the tray in a location under light growth.

Step 7: Care and Harvesting Microgreens:

You need to mist the microgreen to maintain moisture.
Depending upon the variety of micro green you grow it will be ready to harvest within 1 to 2 weeks.
Always use a clean pair of Scissors to snip the microgreens above the pepper towel line.
After that was it and part them dry before you start to add the mean salad sandwich or garnishing.

Advantages Of Growing Microgreens On A Paper Towel:

The following are some advantages of growing microgreens on a paper towel:

It Is Cleaner Than Growing In Soil:

If you use a paper towel for growing microgreens it is usually cleaner than growing using soil.
You can also uproot the plant without worrying about soil messing on the floor.
In the case of soil, it is not the same because you need to cut just above the soil.
The microgreens that are grown in paper towels do not need to be washed because the production of microgreens is maintained.
Which don’t get affected by soil, dust, and other contaminants bile harvesting, and microgreens.

Pathogen-free:

Growing microgreens on paper towels is a pathogen-free process when compared to using soil.
The microgreen harvested from the soil needs to be cleaned thoroughly because of the possibility of having pathogens but using a paper towel, there is no danger of any pathogen if the human also consumes it.
The example of common pathogens are such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and much more.

Eat The Whole Plant

You can eat the whole microgreen that you plant in a paper towel, including leaves, stems, and roots, which is not possible with the microgreens that are grown in because you need to cut them slightly above the soil.

Simple To Monitor:

If you grow microgreens on a paper towel, it is easy to monitor them because you can see the seed germination and root development which is not possible in case of seeding in the soil.
You can actually see what the root needs and get rid of any problem if they are attacked at a good time.

Microgreens Grow Faster:

The microgreens are used to grow faster on the paper towel as compared to soil because there you can control the light and moisture in the container.
The plant is used to get the right amount of water throughout the growing process and make the perfect plants to be harvested on time.
The seed germination plants get exposed to the light at the right time.

Easy To Control Moisture:

Growing them on a paper towel can control the moisture easily when compared to the soil.
Here, you need to do constant monitoring of the plant.

Disadvantages Of Growing Microgreens On A Paper Towel:

There are some disadvantages of growing microgreens on a paper towel that you need to know:

Very Challenging To Transfer To Soil Or Vermiculite

Using a paper towel is one of the difficulties because the microgreen is the plant in which the plant transfer is not easy.
The roots of microgreens are weak and can’t be handled directly until you break or damage the plant.

Quite Cumbersome To Monitor:

The soil is used to keep moisture for a long time so you have to ensure seedlings on the paper towel are moist in the early stages of growth.

Tips For Successful Growing Of Microgreens:

The following are some tips for the successful growing of microgreens using a paper towel:

Always choose the right microgreen for planting on a paper towel.
Always use a paper method where you don’t find the soil convenient to use because the soil is best for growing the plant.
You need to put the seed in a tall container in which the microgreen does not outgrow quickly. Make sure not to water for exposing the sprouts to the sunlight, unless the micro start turning green.
Make sure to keep the seeds moist to have the conductive condition of growing them.
Always grow the right microgreen in the right season because some microgreens flourish in cool conditions while others in warm conditions.
The nutrients you get from the microgreen do vary according to the type of the microgreen, but most of the microgreens are rich in minerals like iron, potassium, copper, zinc, antioxidants, and magnesium.
Don’t let you confuse micro green and sprouts because sprouts are used to grow within a week but micro take some weeks to shoot.

Growing Microgreens Without Soil:

Responsible for growing microgreens without soil by using hydroponics or the paper towel method.

For the process of hydrophobic method growing micro green in a soil medium with the help of coconut coir or rockwool which you need to provide a nutrient-rich water solution.

Now you know about the paper towel method that I have explained above. Both of the methods do have advantages like a controlled environment, and efficient nutrition absorption Making them accessible and you can cultivate them without getting your hands dirty.

Some of the popular microgreens to grow:

To choose the best microgreen to grow there are different varieties and options available having unique flavors, colors, and natural benefits.

The following are some popular microgreens that you can consider to grow:

Pea Shoots: it consists of a fresh and sweet flavor, which tastes like freshly picked peas. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and K with folate and fiber.
Sunflower Shoots: doesn’t flower, microgreen, delicious flavor and delightful crunch. They are rich in nutrients like vitamins E, B, and C with minerals like magnesium and selenium.
Radish Microgreens: growing them does add a spicy and peppery taste to dishes. It is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants which are healthy to eat.
Broccoli Microgreens: it does have a delicate flavor and bitter taste which is the same as mature broccoli. It is rich in vitamins, A, C, and K with minerals like iron and calcium.
Basil microgreens: they are the microgreens that provide an intense aromatic and aroma. It is used in Italian dishes, pesto and to garnish the item.
Beet Microgreens: Beetroot microgreens are considered to have a slightly earthy flavor. it is rich in antioxidants vitamins A and C, and minerals such as potassium and magnesium

Final thoughts:

After reading the article now you can draw the microgreen on a paper towel method giving yourself and your family time to enjoy homegrown nutrition. it’s a really fun gardening project that is an easy way to start growing microgreens without needing any equipment just a Shallow tree. there is no need to get your hands dirty in the soil after harvesting them. Using the paper towel method you will have fresh microgreens in no time just you need to have a little patience to grow microgreens.