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Microgreens Grower
by Urban Micro
…but still at it
Well, stressed out or not, on the project continues. I met with Professor Andrew Riseman today to discuss my proposal to do some sprouting trials in the greenhouse at UBC. I want to learn more about planting density, soil type and depth, and other growing criteria about the sprouts, so I will do a bunch…
6 more days until sprout season
Sprout season is just around the corner! I just finished interviewing 8 potential apprentices and will be making my decision today. ย Not an easy task picking from a group of very enthusiastic candidates – but I think I have made a decision… The site is looking great and I can’t wait to get rolling on…
A week without sprouts
Well, the sprout season is over and the downtime is nice. ย But I am already looking ahead to next season. ย My biggest challenge will be finding a piece of suitable land in the city for production. ย I do have a few leads but still have some looking to do. I will also be making a…
All done!
Well, that’s it. ย The season is now over! 2500 bags of sprouts later! I am now about to get into writing about the project. It feels good to be done, but I am already thinking about next year. ย I am still hoping to get a mechanical sprout harvester designed and built (though this is becoming…
Almost Sprouting
Argh. I have been wanting to write about this project so much, but am so busy that it is difficult to even get to the computer at times. So, here is a quick summary of what I have done and where I am at. This project has been in the works for well over a…
And Day Four
Well, day four has been reassuring as the sprouts are growing very well, but the rodents were back! I will be really curious to see how production is at the different seed planting densities, especially taking into account the different germination rates for the two seed types. The black oil germed at close to 100%,…
Back to the Blog
Well, I have been a very naughty blogger (insert spanking joke here), so I am going to try and give an update to bring ya’ll up to speed. After a difficult search for land I finally found a spot about 5 minutes from my house. ย The location is perfect for sprouts – good sun, fenced…
Bad weather, but decent sprouts
Well, the weather is still crap, but with the heating cables the sprouts are still doing decently. ย They are still only about 70% of what their potential is, but I have planted extra trays to make up for it. I thought I would post a picture of the new sprout site, to show its urban…
Bring on the Seeds
So I mentioned briefly I my last post that I bought my seeds. I purchased 15 bags @ $90 (US) each, so now I am definitely committed to this project! Based on my greenhouse growing trials I really had no choice – these seeds just performed too well! So that should be enough seeds for…
building benches
Well, after a reinvigorating week in Mexico, (cough, cough) I am back at it! Today I started with bench assembly.ย My friend Dale, who will be helping me with production was helping me build benches today. Before starting bench assembly we covered the sprouting area with bark mulch.ย The mulch was free (left over from…
Building Benches and Clearing Land
Well, I started building my benches this week, and the sprout area has been mostly cleared of blackberries but it looks like i will still have to do some by hand.ย When the tractor was in clearing the brush a salmon berry stem punctured the radiator!! For the benches I have just built the bench…
Day 5ย Sprouts
Well, things are still looking good besides the mess the rats leave behind! The sprouts are now starting to push up on their covering trays so by Monday we should really be able to see where things are at. I can see with some of the higher density plantings that some of the seeds are…
Dayย 6ย Whoa!
So today is Saturday and I thought I should check on the sprouts even though I wasn’t really planning on going to campus. They made a such huge growth in the last 24 hours it was almost unbelievable. Sprouts were sticking out the side of the trays; the trays were sliding off the top of…
Deconstruction
Well, I have started taking apart the sprouting system to store it for the winter. ย It was the first time I had been out to the set up in a fgew weeks and it felt pretty strange to not be growing sprouts! As promised I have a video for you of me on my bike…
Deconstruction
Well, I have started taking apart the sprouting system to store it for the winter. ย It was the first time I had been out to the set up in a fgew weeks and it felt pretty strange to not be growing sprouts! As promised I have a video for you of me on my bike…
First Batch Started!
And we’re off. I have started my first batch of sprouts so we are officially in production. I did only 13 trays to start off with which I am going to sell in front of my house this Saturday. I will also approach some grocers to see about regular sales to them as well. I…
Here Comes the Seeds, doo doo doo doo
Today, the first batch of seed arrived!! It was a bit crazy receiving these big bags of seeds today. I guess I really am committed to this project! I have not yet established a good storage space at the farm so the seeds are currently being stored in a second floor closet at home: I…
improved machete shot
Thought I would post, for redemption’s sake, some new and improved videos of the machete harvest. ย One is a close up of the cut and the other is a longer version of a series of cuts to give you an idea how the harvest operates: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBh93BEtU34] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kggRr9hGthY]
improved machete shot
Thought I would post, for redemption’s sake, some new and improved videos of the machete harvest. ย One is a close up of the cut and the other is a longer version of a series of cuts to give you an idea how the harvest operates: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBh93BEtU34] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kggRr9hGthY]
irrigation is in…
Well, The irrigation line to the sunflower and no-till area wen tin last week.ย I spent a day on a machine digging trenches and then had the Farm apprentices to help with the installation and filling of the trenches.ย Here is the water line leading to where the sprout harvest table will be: So I…
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