Thank you so much for mentioning the nonfood grade lubricant issue! It's those types of details that get lost in many tutorials. Loving your channel, man!
As always you produced another GREAT VIDEO!!! I did notice 1 thing in your harvesting. I saw you wash the counter prior to harvest. I agree with that. I would assume you also cleaned the tote and the trimmer blade prior to use. But the brick was quite dirty. May I suggest a covering of foil or plastic wrap on the brick, just reduced any contaminates. After covering the brick a quick wipe down of cleaning solution that you use on everything else just prior. Keep up the GREAT VIDEOS!!! GOD Bless.
Good call on using sunflower/olive oil instead of whatever lubricant was on that tool! Even if just a small amount of that lubricant were to fall on your microgreens, it'd turn them toxic. I don't agree with using a block of concrete though - when you touched it, a piece fell of into the container (02:27) and that definitely fell into your harvest. Use something else, maybe a polymer of some sort that will not degrade and make chunks fall off into your harvest.
That was just a wet fingerprint at 2:27, but I think you are probably correct - I'd never really thought about that and it hasn't been a problem, but I could see a chunk getting in there at some point. Thanks for the suggestion!
He suggested using mineral oil or food-grade silicon, not sunflower or olive oil. Both of which can go rancid, by the way, so I wouldn't use those natural food oils.
Instead of the brick, attach a board across the top and rest the tray on the wood with the edge hanging off which wont have the greens come in contact with the wood, or brick in this case.
I will add that to my list of video ideas, thanks for much! Make sure you head over to microgreensfarmer.com - lots more info in that free ebook and other private videos I offer. All the best!
I think a very sharp knife would not only produce better looking microgreens but extend the shelf life of your crop...that thing is like dull mechanical scissors
I agree with junkyardgirl79, excellent tip about using food-grade lubricants! Nate, your videos are really good, but you hardly ever make one. How come?
For seed hulls several things: good seed lots, top watering, proper heat, running hand vigorously over top before harvest, then washing vigorously, and spin drying, tossing on drying screen - all these work together to practically eliminated. For mold prevention, sanitizing seed with H2O2, sanitizing workspace and trays well, good seed, and good airflow. Thanks for watching!
Easier to just use an electric knife (the kind you carve a turkey with). I don't know why almost every microgreen video has kitchen shears being used. Electric knife less than $20.
They can be hard to source, many places are sold out. Just keep googling around and when you find some stock up. I use the taller ones, just because that's what I stocked up on 4 years ago when I was getting started - they work fine too.
Hi Kaya, look up Urban Farmer Curtis Stone and check out his that he uses for the paper pot transplanter. They are very durable more so than the 2" 10/20's you find in the stores.
I do get a small commission if people buy after clicking the affiliate link in the description. That's enough for me at this point. Thanks for commenting!
Thank you so much for mentioning the nonfood grade lubricant issue! It's those types of details that get lost in many tutorials. Loving your channel, man!
Your welcome, thanks for watching!
This must be the most effective fast harvesting method I've seen. Thanks brother!
Your welcome! Thanks for watching
As always you produced another GREAT VIDEO!!! I did notice 1 thing in your harvesting. I saw you wash the counter prior to harvest. I agree with that. I would assume you also cleaned the tote and the trimmer blade prior to use. But the brick was quite dirty. May I suggest a covering of foil or plastic wrap on the brick, just reduced any contaminates. After covering the brick a quick wipe down of cleaning solution that you use on everything else just prior. Keep up the GREAT VIDEOS!!! GOD Bless.
In California we have the category of "raw ag." This means "wash before eating."
Good call on using sunflower/olive oil instead of whatever lubricant was on that tool! Even if just a small amount of that lubricant were to fall on your microgreens, it'd turn them toxic.
I don't agree with using a block of concrete though - when you touched it, a piece fell of into the container (02:27) and that definitely fell into your harvest. Use something else, maybe a polymer of some sort that will not degrade and make chunks fall off into your harvest.
That was just a wet fingerprint at 2:27, but I think you are probably correct - I'd never really thought about that and it hasn't been a problem, but I could see a chunk getting in there at some point. Thanks for the suggestion!
He suggested using mineral oil or food-grade silicon, not sunflower or olive oil. Both of which can go rancid, by the way, so I wouldn't use those natural food oils.
Hi, how's your shelf life on those greens harvested with this as compared to a sharp knife? Any noticeable difference?
I doubt it. Shelf life comes from full-spectrum nutrition.
Is that heavy brick holding the flat up sterile before the greens fall onto it?
its never been outdoors and it's sprayed down with vinegar and H202 quite often - so I'd say it's pretty sterile
Instead of the brick, attach a board across the top and rest the tray on the wood with the edge hanging off which wont have the greens come in contact with the wood, or brick in this case.
Do you have the shallow trays? How many inches deep are they?
@microgreensfarmer Do you ever have a problem with soil/coco peat falling into the container with your tray up against the wall?
Cover that brick in plastic wrap.
great idea. coconut oil for lube?
Great video! Could you do I video on why or why not to have holes in the bottom of your microgreen flats?
I will add that to my list of video ideas, thanks for much! Make sure you head over to microgreensfarmer.com - lots more info in that free ebook and other private videos I offer. All the best!
Hope your feeling better man! Good video.
Thanks man! This flu is has been dragging on all week, but I'm starting to see the light. Take care and thanks for commenting!
Hi. After you harvest the green, can you regrow the same plants of you have to start from scratch?
Some varietes will regrow - but it's not worth doing under the lights for a commercial operation because the yield on the second cut is much less
Have you tried this with other micros? Like broccoli?
Have you tried cutting it from the top down? Just makes more sense to do it that way in my head but who knows lol.
Yeah, it works almost as good, but you do end up shredding some of the greens that don't fall over the top of the below ones.
Microgreens Farmer ahh okay I gotchya, makes sense. Thanks for the reply!
I am considering using this to harvest arugula red Russian baby kale mustard greens etc.. have you use this tool in that capacity?
Hello. What about to use that in an horizontal watercress bed/table?
tried to use affiliate link but that version was out of stock, theres the same tool from another provider on amazon if you can update your link
I think a very sharp knife would not only produce better looking microgreens but extend the shelf life of your crop...that thing is like dull mechanical scissors
we keep it sharp!
Yeah absoultely. I was just about to this also
Would this not bruise the greens?
Have you seen any bruising from these? I am looking for new ways. Also, any luck with brassicas? Great video!
Yeah, a little bit more bruising using these - but no customer complaints so far. I don't use these on brassicas, just sharp knife.
Microgreens Farmer thanks so much!
I agree with junkyardgirl79, excellent tip about using food-grade lubricants!
Nate, your videos are really good, but you hardly ever make one. How come?
He's very busy!
Thanks! What is your preferred method for getting the seed hulls off the top of the sunflowers? Also, what do you use to prevent mold
For seed hulls several things: good seed lots, top watering, proper heat, running hand vigorously over top before harvest, then washing vigorously, and spin drying, tossing on drying screen - all these work together to practically eliminated. For mold prevention, sanitizing seed with H2O2, sanitizing workspace and trays well, good seed, and good airflow. Thanks for watching!
*THANKS !*
I grow on burlap with hydroponic solutions. No problem with mold, except for wheatgrass.
Easier to just use an electric knife (the kind you carve a turkey with). I don't know why almost every microgreen video has kitchen shears being used. Electric knife less than $20.
I've heard electric knives don't work very well. I'd like to test it though..
where do you get the one inch flats? i've only been able to find the 2+ inch ones
They can be hard to source, many places are sold out. Just keep googling around and when you find some stock up. I use the taller ones, just because that's what I stocked up on 4 years ago when I was getting started - they work fine too.
Hi Kaya, look up Urban Farmer Curtis Stone and check out his that he uses for the paper pot transplanter. They are very durable more so than the 2" 10/20's you find in the stores.
We sell them here:
www.dowiefarm.com/microgreenssupplies
bootstrapfarmer.com has heavy duty 1.25” flats in 1020 and 1010 sizes. Their 1020 flats also available on Amazon same price but you have to buy 30.
I have been thinking about an electric turkey carver to do a similar thing.
I've heard they don't work that well, but let me know if you try it out and find that they are effective
Which microgreens does it *not* work for? Sorry if you said and I missed it.
Probably the ones with very thin stems. In that case, scissors, not a knife.
Great video. Thanks...
You welcome!
where did you purchase your scale?
You can find a ton of different scale options on Amazon
Possibly an electric carving knife too.
I've heard they don't work that well for microgreens, but I would like to see for myself at some point
you should make a kit for amazon products that you advertise so that you can get a commission for promoting.
I do get a small commission if people buy after clicking the affiliate link in the description. That's enough for me at this point. Thanks for commenting!
Not sure that cement block is food safe either
Good,
well that dirty old brick off the floor makes perfect sense when producing food! good grief
they are growing in dirt peter
2:45
How did you sanitize the blades?