Microgreens are young seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs. Microgreens are harvested, or cut, after the cotyledon appears. A cotyledon, or seed leaf, is a leaf that is stored in a seed. When the seed sprouts, the cotyledons are the first leaves that the plant has. These tiny leaves have lots of nutrition packed into them. This is the stage when microgreens are harvested or sold for eating.

Microgreens are very nutrient-dense, providing a phenomenal amount of nutrition in the small amount of greens that fit gently into the palm of your hand. Microgreens are generally between 10 and 40 percent more nutrient dense than a serving of their full-grown vegetable version. They are very easy to digest.

Most microgreens, including the ones we grow at Meadowland Greens, are grown in soil or coconut coir (made from the fibrous husks on the inner shell of the coconut) the same way most other plants are started. Microgreens have a longer grow period between seeding and when you eat them, usually around 10 to 12 days with some varieties taking as long as a few weeks to mature to the cotyledon stage. Microgreens grown in soil or a soillike medium are considered a safe food as they are unlikely to harbor the microorganisms known to cause foodborne illnesses. Vegetable sprouts are grown in a soilless, moisture-rich, warm environment. The moist, warm growing conditions also support the growth of microorganisms such as salmonella or e.coli. They are harvested 1 to 8 days after seeding and can cause food borne illness.

If you are interested in placing an order for microgreens for pick up or delivery, text or email Kathy (text: 401-263-5747 or email: meadowlandgreens@gmail.com). She will forward you the week’s microgreen availability and take your order. Microgreens for pick-up or delivery are prepared once a week and are harvested no more than 24 hours before you receive them. Currently pick-up and delivery are on Thursdays. You may also place an order for pick up on Saturday at the South Kingstown Farmers Market located at 25 Independence Way, Kingston, RI just off of route 138 where it runs through URI.

Meadowland Greens is located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. It is currently a home-based business.

Cut and bagged microgreens require refrigeration and will last a least a week, usually longer, when stored correctly. We are now encouraging customers to switch to having their greens delivered in canning jars, which prevent them from becoming bruised in the refrigerator by other things being stored there. This extends their help life to about two weeks (longer for some varieties). Living Greens (purchased in small containers with soil) should be placed on a plate on the counter and watered with 1 to 2 ounces of water daily. They will continue to grow and have a longer shelf life than cut and bagged greens. Depending on the variety, you may be able to harvest them for two weeks or more. (They will get leggy and lose both flavor and nutrition if you wait too long between purchase and harvest.) With the exception of pea shoots, they will not regrow. Living Greens can also be stored in a light plastic bag in the refrigerator and will require little to no watering if kept intros way.

Microgreens can be used in many ways. They are wonderful additions to salads, sandwiches, and egg dishes. They are tasty on avocado toast and bagels with cream cheese. They are popular garnishes for many appetizers or can be sprinkled atop chips, crackers, or veggies with dip. They can top baked potatoes and be added to pizza when it comes out of the oven. Never cook microgreens. Heating causes them to lose their nutrients. Pea shoots may be added to stir fries and pasta dishes at the very end of cooking and allowed to wilt, just as you would do with other greens. Don’t be afraid to be creative! They can make an ordinary dish look fancy!

Microgreens have a very short shelf life. For that reason, we don’t ship them. They are best eaten within a few days of harvest to enjoy their authentic taste, texture, and nutrient density.

Living greens should be cut with kitchen scissors or a sharp knife. With one hand gently cup and loosely hold the amount of greens you plan to cut. With the other hand, cut along the edge of the tray. Don’t pull up! Once the desired greens are cut, they should be loose in your hand. Simply lift your hand up to remove the now loose greens. Just cut the amount you plan to eat to maintain the nutrient density of the rest of the greens.

Text or email Kathy (text: 401-263-5747) or email: meadowlandgreens@gmail.com). Please indicate what you are interested in. Include a date or approximate date, where and your name and phone number or email. Kathy will get back to you within 48 hours. Please allow at least 3 weeks time before the program/event.

Text or email Kathy (text: 401-263-5747) or email: meadowlandgreens@gmail.com). Please indicate the type of event, the approximate number of Living Greens you will need, the date of the event, where it will be and your name and phone number or email. Kathy will get back to you within 48 hours. Please allow at least 3 weeks time before the event.