Podcast

Growing Organic Microgreens Indoors

November 23, 2019November 26, 2019 Mike Nowak eco-influencer, environmental news, Gabby Road, gardening advice, growing microgreens, indoor gardening, Jeanne Nolan, Peggy Malecki, SmartTalk Radio Network, The Mike Nowak Show, The Organic Gardener

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:28:56 — 41.4MB)

(November 24, 2019) I’m sure you can understand why growing organic microgreens indoors might be a good idea right now. Our show meteorologist Rick DiMaio tells us that we have already had 8.3 inches of snow this season. Today is November 24. I guess that means the growing season is over, right?

Well, in the 21st Century, the growing season is never over. Not when there are high tunnels and low tunnels and row covers and cold frames and and portable greenhouses. And, of course, indoor grow lights. The technological advances in light science alone are enough to make gardeners rejoice. And when I say that, I’m thinking of our friends at Happy Leaf LED, among other companies.

Yet, gardening of any kind still requires a leap of faith. What if I screw it up? What if I kill everything? My answer: “You won’t and you won’t.” But it doesn’t hurt to have a guiding hand. So I noted with interest an email I received from The Organic Gardener a few weeks ago. A lot of folks call themselves organic gardeners, but in the Chicago area, The Organic Gardener is Jeanne Nolan. You might recognize her from her regular appearances on Chicago Tonight on WTTW.

Or you might know that 25,000 annually visit The Organic Gardener’s flagship project,

The Edible Gardens, a 5,000 square-foot urban agriculture project growing in the heart of Lincoln Park Zoo’s Farm-in-the-Zoo. As Green City Market’s primary educational outreach program, The Edible Gardens’ mission is to connect children with their food hands-on, and to ensure that families have the knowledge, experience, and inspiration to help support a sustainable food system.

I have crossed paths with Jeanne over the years, though the last time she was on my show was in 2013. At the time, I interviewed her about here book, FROM THE GROUND UP: A Food Grower’s Education in Life, Love and the Movement That’s Changing the Nation. But her main work is at The Organic Gardener, where she and her team have created more than a thousand vegetable gardens throughout the Midwest.

We partner with corporations, schools, restaurants, and non-profit organizations interested in developing a sustainable garden-to-table approach. These non-residential food production projects range from suburban country clubs, to LEED-Certified apartment buildings, to community gardens in underserved food deserts. We also create accompanying educational programming, fostering a connection and a learning opportunity for the garden’s visitors.

Which takes us back to the email. It was about growing microgreens indoors. And the folks at The Organic Garden want to help you get started. Not only that, but they’ll come to your home “regularly at scheduled times to replace the harvested trays with fresh greens. During the visit, we will tend the greens with you and your family, answer questions, and offer harvesting guidance.”

Say goodbye to the leap of faith.

So I thought, yeah, let’s get Jeanne back on the show and talk about growing microgreens. Her team graciously created an Indoor Farming- micros info sheet that you can click on here. It features basic information, such as how to harvest the plants.

When microgreens are tall enough to cut, use the scissors and snip the greens just
above the soil line.
To serve, wash the microgreens with water and dry with paper towels or a salad spinner.
For freshest flavor eat today. They can be added to soups, salads, sandwiches, eggs
and main dishes.
Store remaining cut microgreens in a plastic bag in your refrigerator. They typically last
5-8 days when refrigerated.

You might already know that, but for people taking the leap of faith, it’s great information. We welcome Jeanne Nolan to the WCGO Studios this morning. We’ll be talking microgreens, but other indoor vegetable growing, too. BTW, if you want to see if their microgreens service is for you, write to them: info@theorganicgardener.net

Gabby Road with Hannah, Fred and Justin

If you’re a regular listener to The Mike Nowak Show with Peggy Malecki, you’ve probably noticed in the past few weeks that there’s a new program right after ours. Peggy and I have noticed, because we need to grab our stuff and get the heck out of the studio. That’s when Hannah, Fred and Justin roll in to do their show Gabby Road.

Hannah Stanley, Fred Weintraub and Justin Kulovsek are the hosts, and as far as I can tell, they’ll talk about almost anything. Well, I’ll get a chance to ask them about that this morning. At least two of them join us in studio, just before we talk to meteorologist Rick DiMaio. We’re not exactly sure, but we think that Fred will be joining via Skype from Singapore. Or maybe London. Or maybe one of the moons of Saturn. We just know that he’s often far, far away.

Join us as we converse with our fellow radio travelers this morning.