A Quick Guide for How to Grow Pea Shoot Microgreens

There is something so satisfying about growing your own food, and this quick guide on how to grow pea shoot microgreens couldn’t be easier. In just a week or two, you’ll have delicious greens to add to some of your favorite salads or sandwiches. No garden needed – just a small container, a little water, and a sunny spot in your home. Here’s how easy it is. And the best thing is that you’ll be harvesting your fresh pea shoots in just a week or two! There’s nothing quite like a little instant gratification.

Here are the supplies you’ll need for growing pea shoot microgreens

• A small container or two (some people like to make sure their container(s) or growing medium have drainage holes, but I didn’t use one with drainage holes because I didn’t over-saturate the soil)
• High grade premium pea seeds
• Organic potting mix
• Water
• Sunlight

A few things to know before planting

• Soaking the vegetable seeds overnight before planting is optional, but it will help them germinate more quickly
• Some people like to use  grow lights, but if you have a sunny spot in your home, it isn’t necessary
• It’s a good idea to make sure the seeds are close together so they will support each other as they grow
• Throughout the growing process, keep the soil and seeds moist by spraying them with a small bottle of water, but don’t saturate the soil
• They should be ready to harvest in one to two weeks (mine were ready in 10 days)
• You should be able to get two to three harvests from each container, and then you’ll need to plant new seeds again

Is there a difference between pea shoot microgreens and pea sprouts?

There are a few differences between pea shoot microgreens and pea sprouts. For starters, pea sprouts are grown in water and harvested just as the root tip emerges from the seed – usually within a few days. Both the seed and the root are eaten. On the other hand, microgreen pea shoots are grown in soil and harvested when the leaves have fully grown in – usually one to two weeks. The stems and the leaves are eaten.

10 Simple steps for how to grow pea shoot microgreens

1. The first step is to soak the microgreen seeds overnight and place them on a paper towel after soaking (this step is optional, but it will help speed up germination)
2. Choose your container or grow tray (a small pot, shallow trays, or whatever you have around your house)
3. Fill your container with organic potting soil (if using a second tray or pot, repeat the process)
4. Use enough water to make sure the soil is moist, but be careful not to saturate it
5. Using a handful or two of pea seeds, spread them in a single layer and close together over the entire top of the soil surface
6. Lightly water the seeds again
7. Cover your container with plastic wrap
8. Using a knife, poke holes all around the top of the plastic
9. Place the container in a warm area with bright light (you should see your first pea sprouts in just a few days, and then you’ll see your first true leaves just a few days later)
10. On a regular basis or every couple of days, remove the plastic, spray the surface of the soil with a spray bottle, and recover the container with the plastic (they don’t need as much water as you think; you just want to keep the soil moist)

How do you know when it’s harvest time?

Ideally, the first time you’ll want to harvest pea shoots is when they are about two to four inches high. The plants will continue to grow after you have cut them back.

How to harvest pea microgreens

Using a pair of sharp scissors, it’s best to cut the young plants about one inch above the soil. Try not to let the plants get overgrown. As the tendrils get longer, they become tougher and less flavorful. And remember to only harvest the amount you’ll be using. 

What are the health benefits of eating pea shoot microgreens?

There are a lot of different kinds of sprouts and shoots, and according to the Cleveland Clinic, sprouts and shoots are jam-packed with vitamins and minerals, varying from sprout to sprout. Sprouts carry essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and are a great source of antioxidants that are known to support your immune system. Sprouts can also carry other nutrients like Vitamin C and B and minerals like phosphorus and magnesium. And, they’re low in things like fat, sodium, and calories. 

Here is how we used our first harvest of pea shoot microgreens

Pea shoots are tender and versatile, and they are a good to choice to use on many different things. We used them to make a delicious goat cheese, sun-dried tomato, and pea shoot tartine. It was so easy and only took a few minutes. Here is how we did it:

1. Butter a thick slice of your favorite bread (we used Seeduction Bread from Whole Foods) and toast it on a panini maker or under the broiler in the oven
2. Spread a nice layer of goat cheese on the toasted bread
3. Drizzle some chopped sun-dried tomatoes with oil on top of the goat cheese
4. Top with a handful of pea shoots

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