Legumes · Easy
Lentil microgreens
Lens culinaris
A densely sown tray, in the dark then in the light, cut around day 9, year-round.
- EC (mS/cm)
- n/a
- pH
- n/a
- Cycle
- very short
- Difficulty
- Easy
Sound origin
Lens culinaris
The lentil (Lens culinaris) is one of the founder crops of Neolithic agriculture: its cultivation is attested in Iran between 9500 and 8000 BC, in the Fertile Crescent.
Source: Wikipedia
What it provides nutrients
No reference nutritional values have been published for this plant in the Ciqual table (ANSES) or in USDA data: we'd rather not make anything up.
Key steps
- Harvest around day 9 after sowing, within a window from day 7 to day 11 (ICAR-IARI, 2022).
- Sow densely: about 3 seeds per cm² gave the best yield in this trial (ICAR-IARI, 2022).
- Bigger seeds yield more: yield follows seed size (ICAR-IARI, 2022).
- Pre-soak the seeds, a few days in the dark, then in full light (Penn State).
- Lentil microgreens keep better in the fridge than mung bean ones, because they contain less water (ICAR-IARI, 2022).
- Rinse with drinking water before eating (Penn State).
In which system?
| Tower | NFT | Growing medium | Kratky |
|---|---|---|---|
Approximate calendar
| Sowing | Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. |
| Plants | none |
| Harvest | Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. |
Garden, patio, balcony: Belgian and northern French climate, earlier farther south. Estimates to adjust with your own dates.
Frequently asked questions
Lentil microgreens in hydroponics: what pH?
No specific range is published for this crop in the Oklahoma State table: we do not force an unverified figure. Start from the common range of 5.5–7.0 and write down your results.
Lentil microgreens in hydroponics: what EC?
Oklahoma State has published no value for this crop. Start low, watch the growth and record your measurements in a log.
Lentil microgreens: which hydroponic system?
Best suited: growing medium (Dutch bucket). Densely sown tray, in the dark then in light, cut around day 9, all year round.
Lentil microgreens: when to sow in Belgium?
Indicative window for a garden, patio or balcony in Belgium or northern France: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December. Adjust with your own dates.
- Priti et al., ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, PLOS ONE, 2022
- F. Di Gioia, Penn State Extension, A Step-by-Step Guide for Growing Microgreens at Home