Growing Medium For Plants

CoirNest Coir Micro Greens Pads

CoirNest Coir Micro Greens Pads

What are Micro-Greens?

Microgreens are tiny immature vegetable and herb plants grown from seed to the second stage leaves. They are not only one of the most nutritious foods you can eat, they are delicious! Microgreens mimic the flavor of the adult plant. For instance, carrot micro greens taste a lot like carrots, beet microgreens like beets. Micro greens are also one of the easiest crops to successfully grow at home with minimum expense and maximum reward.

When the seeds first germinate, they put out their first set of leaves called the “cotyledon.” The second set of leaves will take on the characteristics of the plant they will become. Its at this point, that harvest usually occurs. Microgreens are often used by chefs for garnishes because of their color, texture and flavor, but as more people become aware of their amazing nutritional value, and astonishing flavors, they are finding their way into recipes of home cooks everywhere and are popular additions to salads, sandwiches, juices, and more.


Why Grow Micro Greens?

Coir Micro Green Pads

Coir Micro Green Pads

Sometimes even when you are looking for them and unless you have a grower you purchase from regularly, they can be hard to find. Plus micro greens have a short shelf life and getting them fresh is best for both flavor and nutrition. They are also somewhat on the expensive side. Many people want to use microgreens for medical reasons, like for juicing and raw diets. Buying the quantities needed for this type use, can definitely dent your budget. This is when growing your own microgreens becomes an easy option.

It is also fun and educational to watch microgreens grow. The excessive root development is a pretty amazing thing to watch. You will be witnessing a true miracle of life! It’s got to be one of the easiest crops to grow, too. Even if you’ve had little success growing crops to fruit, it’s pretty hard to mess up growing only to the the second stage leaves!

What Are Coco Coir Grow Mats?

Coco coir grow mats are thin mats of coir designed for the shallow trays that are commonly used for microgreens in hydroponic setups. The mats themselves are fibrous and water-retentive due to the natural properties of coco coir, the woody part of coconut husks.

As a grow mat, coco coir provides an excellent foundation for your plants. It’s resistant to pests, bacteria, fungus, and mold and incredibly easy to work with, especially compared to other common grow mat materials. Its structural integrity ensures that it won’t fall apart before you’re ready to harvest. 

Coco coir grow mats work well with many types of watering systems and can produce a 35 percent larger yield than traditional burlap mats. Unlike many kinds of grow mats, coir grow mats are reusable; once they’re dried and the roots from your previous crop of microgreens are removed, your mat can be used to grow an entirely new crop.

How to Use Coco Grow Mats

Coco coir grow mats are relatively straightforward to use. Before using one, you’ll need to soak and rinse your mat to remove unwanted sodium and other trace elements, which may be present from processing. You may also have to add a nutrient mix to the mat to make sure that your plants receive the correct balance of nutrients. However, coco coir is excellent at absorbing nutrients, so it requires less maintenance than other grow mats.

After you’ve prepped your grow mat, you merely need to germinate your chosen seedling. One of the benefits of coco grow mats is that their fibrous makeup is consistent, which will help your plants grow evenly. Other growth media, such as unmodified soil, are less likely to be consistent and can lead to uneven plant growth and development, making harvesting more complicated.

The Advantages of Coco Grow Mats

In addition to their reusability and relative ease of use, coco coir grow mats are highly sustainable and renewable. Their excellent water retention properties mean that you won’t have to water your plants as often, reducing your maintenance time and expense. In addition, coir has a high cation exchange capacity, which means that it efficiently absorbs and releases nutrients. Unlike other forms of inert growth media, most coir mats will have some nutrient benefit right out of the box.

If you’re a beginner to hydroponic or microgreen gardening, consider using a coco coir mat. Make sure that you work with a reputable vendor because there are some poor-quality mats on the market. However, if you get a high-quality coco grow mat, you’ll be surprised at how well your plants grow!

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