Growing Microgreens Step by Step E-Book Giveaway

Cover of Growing Microgreens

One of the really nice things about the Virtual Vegan Potluck is meeting bloggers of many different stripes – and benefiting from their knowledge and experience.  The Potluck is how I met Susan of Gaia’s Creations.  Susan noticed that I enjoyed growing my own sprouts and she told me that she was working on an e-book to help others grow their own – including seeds I never ever thought of sprouting.  Sounds like the ideal book for both sprouting newbies and enthusiasts!  I’m happy to announce that Growing Microgreens Step by Step is now available!  Susan’s e-book is comprehensive, a breeze to read, and filled with information including helpful charts and colorful photos of beautiful baby greens.  The best part?  Susan is gifting 4 lucky people with an electronic copy of her book – and an additional winner will receive the paperback version, plus packets of awesome Todd’s Seeds!  Read on for the details about the book and how to enter to win from Susan herself:

CilantroFall is upon us—and winter is already spreading its tendrils into the garden sending its frosty fingers to any remaining tomatoes, squash and lettuce.

For most of us, the garden has been put to bed. Eating from my garden is one of my greatest joys.  Well, I found my winter solution when I long for the taste of fresh peas, cilantro, broccoli and more. While living in New Mexico I had very poor soil and abundant light many days.  I began growing microgreens—shoot peas and sunflowers. Inspired by others’ efforts, I expanded to broccoli, kale, cilantro microgreens and beyond.  In one to two weeks, in our 65 degree home, we had greens all winter long!  An indoor garden helps lighten the winter blues, the grey, rainy or snowy days.  Each morning I uncovered a new tray to see if my greens were emerging from the soil.  Much to my surprise, they thrived indoors– even on grey days…like in rainy Hawaii…yes, in our part of Hawaii, we have more clouds than sun and rain every day or several times a day!

sproutsDo you miss the fresh taste of peas, beets, cilantro, gentle or piquant flavors to complement your salad, your soup or as an add nutrition to your smoothie?

In my joy of growing microgreens, I began selling them at our local farmers’ market and then teaching folks to grow their own.  I’d like to teach you.  I found that most of them are easy to grow and inexpensive (less than store bought and much fresher). You can grow them in plastic pots with drainage holes, in clamshell containers in which fruit is sold, in anything that has holes for drainage. If you compost, you will already have a good soil base. If you are a sprouter or want to learn, you are on your way.  Many seeds are just planted dry. You can maximize your nutritional content with these little gems and avoid bacterial problems associated with packaged greens from the supermarket. FYI: My secret?  It takes me 5-10 minutes a day to grow enough greens for 4 people. Check out the picture of one of my favorite customers (She is 4 years old).

Mohala harvesting sprouts.

I’d love to teach you how to grow microgreens. 

I offer anyone interested in growing these little gems, a contest in which you can win a copy of my book: GROWING MICROGREENS STEP BY STEP. To win, all I ask is that you tell me why you want to grow microgreens and how you will actually share what you learn with some part of your community.  There will be five winners: four will receive a kindle or PDF copy of my book, and one will receive the paperback version of the book and several packages of seeds to get started from Todd’s Seeds.  What a great way to start the new year!

My book is basic and starts with a “no fail seed” – actually any of the brassicas are in that category.  Send me an e-mail at and give me your name, why you want to grow microgreens and how you will share how to grow them with some part of your community.  I will ask the five winners for pictures and comments to share on my blog, Gaia’s Creations.   On my blog I also answer questions that I receive and offer suggestions on growing.

Here are a couple of the ways I have shared with my community. I had several mothers bring their preschool kids over and each planted two small trays of microgreens. They sent me pictures later that week and comments from the mothers. Also I am in a chorus, and I offered to teach interested members (many of whom have been buying microgreens), an afternoon together with me and former students sharing experiences and teaching the new students. What a great gift for kids or grandchildren.

So let’s go — email me at  and share your ideas on why you want to grow these colorful, tasty young plants and how you will share your learning. You have until December 3rd to enter.

To purchase Susan’s book, please visit Amazon.

(All photos courtesy of Susan Alima Friar.)

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28 thoughts on “Growing Microgreens Step by Step E-Book Giveaway

  1. Laura says:

    I want to win because I live in North Dakota and have to drive at least an hour to find micrgreens! I’ll share with the community through my blog but also with my local coop in our newsletter!

  2. Laura says:

    I emailed it too – just wanted to continue the conversation here! :)

    • An Unrefined Vegan says:

      Appreciate it, Laura! You definitely need some green stuff where you are! Great idea to share with your coop.

  3. Bonnie Peller says:

    Sounds interesting! I love to garden and miss it during the long winter months in Michigan.

  4. AverageVeganDude says:

    I was wondering what your thoughts were on using the Tribest Freshlife Sprouter. I have been using it for a few months and enjoy it. Is there a big difference in quality if sprouts are grown hydroponically.

    • An Unrefined Vegan says:

      Demonstrating the sprouting amateur that I am: I’m going to ask Susan to reply to your question, AVD. I use a simple 4-tiered/self-draining tray system and am quite happy with it. I’m sure Susan will have much more insight…

  5. tearoomdelights says:

    Microgreens is a new word to me, although I know about the concept of growing them. This sounds like a most unusual book, like nothing I’ve seen before. I expect it will provide inspiration to its readers.

  6. Angela @ Canned Time says:

    I have to get this book just for the beet microgreens. I’m hoping to fall in love with them and I’m hoping they’ll grow for me ;(

    • An Unrefined Vegan says:

      Have you tried sprouting them before, Angela? I haven’t.

      • Angela @ Canned Time says:

        No, I tried growing them on the porch believe it or not. It was a complete failure. Whole beets I mean. When I read her post for the VVP I commented about sprouting them and she corrected me that they can only be done in microgreens, not just soak and grow. Wonder where I can get a bunch of seeds though. Sprout People doesn’t have beet seeds.

      • Susan Alima Friar says:

        Anne and Angela. I tried sprouting beets and after too long, i REALIZED that it is best not to sprout them. Read my blog post on how to prepare them for planting. ToddsSeeds.com has beet seeds at a reasonable price.

      • An Unrefined Vegan says:

        Thanks, Susan!

  7. Susan Alima Friar says:

    Hi, I think the sprouter looks great. I have never tried it. I believe you will get more nutrients growing in soil (my personal opinion). You could grow some in your sprouter and sprout some others (like kale or radish or broccoli) and then plant for microgreens another few days and just vary your diet with the two growth methods. Look at my blog and see the difference in pictures. Also an earlier blog post(May 11th http://www.gaiascreations.com) gives a very basic recipe for growing microgreens if you want to try it.
    Susan Alima

  8. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Good luck to those entering :) – I adore the wonderful tips in this, my grandparents adore gardening :D

    Cheers
    CCU

    • Susan Alima Friar says:

      CCU, Annie passed on your comment. Just want to say that you do not need a “green thumb” to grow most microgreens. Feel free to enter the contest if you want to explore the possibility. You only need a small area …and indirect light …nothing special.

  9. janet @ the taste space says:

    Wow – that’s awesome. I have grown sprouts but never microgreens. Without a kitchen in my new home, something this simple would be fabulous. I’d love to share any successes with my blog readers.

    • Susan Alima Friar says:

      Janet, You definitely don’t need a kitchen. Let me know which part of the country you are in. I can support you as you get started. So, tell me how you would like to share (beyond your blog readers which is a great way) with your local community. Pictures for the blog are great. To taste though is such a yummy surprise..\

  10. saniel says:

    Sprouting is so new to me, I went and got some jars and seeds last week. Now once I master that I will go to growing microbrews. Thanks.

    • An Unrefined Vegan says:

      Excellent, Saniel! Thanks for commenting!

    • Susan Alima Friar says:

      Saniel, I am rooting for you. I think you will find sprouting easy, fun and straight forward. Some microgreens can be planted without sprouting. Feel free to enter the contest. I like to support folks who adding more live foods to their life!

  11. annesturetucker says:

    What a fantastic idea – I love it! I already miss my garden and find so much joy in the greens I grow in my high beds during the summer. I am sure microgreens would be delicious in green smoothies! Thank you for sharing this very cool concept!

    • An Unrefined Vegan says:

      This has you written all over it, Anne!

      • annesturetucker says:

        Yes, doesn’t it – totally!! – I am dreaming and imagining right this moment of my new microgreen garden in the kitchen! :-)

    • Susan Alima Friar says:

      One of my favorite way to enjoy the microgreens is in a smoothie or pureed into a soup after it has finished cooking. Glad you are inspired.

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