Building a New Rhythm
Recently, I found myself craving a steady rhythm. It didn’t have to be everything all at once—just something small I could tend to regularly.
I’ve been in a place where I’m struggling to make and keep positive habits, and I need something doable to anchor my days. I just needed a win. Something low-lift, daily, and tangible. I needed a visual reminder that growth is still happening—inside me, and around me. That I am growing. That I am magic.
Somehow, microgreens just felt like the right place to begin—small, simple, and full of possibility. They grow fast, they’re simple to care for, and they give me something to look forward to—not just each week, but every day.
Preparing the seeds has become a small but meaningful rhythm in my week—one that feels like a quiet promise to myself.
I chose to start them on Mondays, partly because the “Micro Monday” name made me smile, but mostly because Monday morning starts off the week with a tiny seed of hope. Starting the week on a growth path just felt right.
There’s something deeply rewarding about checking in daily and seeing what’s changed. That tiny green push through the soil. The first lean toward light. It’s a gentle but powerful reminder that small steps add up. That something unseen yesterday might bloom today. That magic is still very much alive in me—and I see it reflected in these tiny sprouts.
Microgreens offer a near-instant feedback loop. They don’t take up much space or time, and they’re packed with nutrients, flavor, and possibility—which makes them a beautiful match for me since I’m trying to build habits and I find so much joy in the little things.
I’ve grown microgreens before and really enjoyed them, but this time, I wanted to branch out and try some new varieties. I came across a sampler with twelve different types of seeds—most of them completely new to me. I think I’ve only tried two of them before, which made the mix feel like the perfect way to explore and keep things interesting.
I’m so excited about all the different seeds I got! I wanted to try them all at once—but I worried it might be too much. Still, I knew I wanted a little variety. So I thought: two a week. Just enough to explore without overwhelming myself. That way, I’d likely still have a little left over each time, which means even more variety as the weeks go on.
To make it manageable, I decided to grow in small batches. I don’t spend on fancy containers—I reuse what I already have. You know the kind—plastic trays from meals or snacks that would otherwise be tossed. I clean them, melt or drill a few holes for drainage, and fill them with a well-draining, moist soil. It works just fine. Keep it simple, keep it fun!
I decided to start out with the seeds that seemed the easiest to grow. The Pak Choi and Spicy Salad Mix didn’t need any special care. Both are quick growers, reliable germinators, and full of flavor—which made them the perfect place to start this new rhythm. An easy win! I had tried a spicy salad mix before, so I also wanted to see how this one would compare.
The seeds themselves were tiny but distinct. I love seeing all the different seeds in the spicy salad mix!
I filled a small tray with soil, drew a line down the middle with my finger, and sowed the spicy salad mix on one side and the Pak Choi on the other. Then, I gave them a loving little spray of water, gently pressed the seeds into the soil, and covered everything with some random foil I had lying around. It felt like tucking those little seed babies in—dark, cozy, and ready to grow.
By Tuesday, both trays had sprouted, and by Wednesday, the Spicy Salad Mix was already pushing up quickly—confident little stems stretching upward. Pak Choi took a bit longer but came in strong right behind it. Watching them side by side was a sweet lesson in how even seeds in the same conditions grow at their own pace—just like we do.
Both of these varieties are usually ready to harvest in about 8–10 days, but I might start tasting a bit earlier—I’m curious and can’t help myself! The general guide is to harvest when the first set of true leaves begins to form, or when the greens are about 2–3 inches tall, which is when their flavor and texture are said to be at their best.
This week was all about getting that first burst of growth, and with Pak Choi and Spicy Salad Mix, I got exactly that. So far it’s a satisfying start to this microgreen journey, and I’m already looking forward to what’s next.
Next week, I’ll be switching things up with Broccoli and Purple Radish—one an old favorite and the other something new and exciting.
Thanks for following along with me. Whether you’re growing your own microgreens, thinking about starting, or just reading out of curiosity, I’m so glad you’re here. I hope this little peek into my week brought you a bit of joy, inspiration, or simply a sense of connection.
This is more than just a project—it’s a reminder that tending to something small can help us feel rooted again. I’d love for you to keep growing alongside me, in whatever way that looks like for you. Let’s keep showing up, one tiny tray at a time.
Mandy, Wild & Free 