Quick Start Guide to Year-Round Greens

Five 3-inch by 6-inch trays (aluminum foil, half-loaf bread pans) or similar

1 gallon soil mix (standard germination mix), usually peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and lime

5 tablespoons compost, one per tray (commercial or homemade compost)

3 teaspoons liquid sea kelp mixed with water, or 3 teaspoons dry kelp meal. Use 1/2 teaspoon per tray

1 tablespoon each sunflower, pea, radish, and buckwheat seeds

1 teaspoon broccoli seeds. You can substitute Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, or any Brassica.

A stack of newspapers—one full sheet per tray. You can substitute paper towels, newsprint packing paper, or paper napkins.

Soak the seeds in small cups covered with plenty of water.

Add 4 cups water to the soil mix and set aside.

Wait a minimum of 6 hours for the seeds to soak.

Fold newspaper to serve as covers, each just a little larger than the tray.

When seeds are ready to plant soak folded newspaper covers in water.

In the bottom of each tray mix ½ teaspoon of kelp and 1 tablespoon of compost.

Fill the trays with about 1¼ cup 7 moistened soil mix.

Level the soil, leaving about ¼ inch to top of tray for seeds and paper cover.

Drain water from seeds with small strainer.

Spread moistened seeds over soil so they touch but do not overlap each other.

Press soaked newspaper cover into tray so it is in contact with the seeds.

Place planted tray in a warm, dark place for 4 days.

On day 5 remove cover, tray & place on a well-lit windowsill.

. Once a day water with about 2–4 tablespoons of water per tray.

After 3–4 days of growth and greening in the light, harvest shoots with scissors.

Wash harvested greens, and remove any remaining hulls.

Chop greens into ¼-inch to ½-inch pieces and toss in a salad.

Add dressing and enjoy