Greens & Microgreens
Greens, Microgreens, Spinach, and Amaranth
“Leafy greens” come from a variety of plant families and simply refer to crops that have edible leaves. Often, you’ll find these greens in high tunnels and other similar structures and are great crops to extend your season.
Microgreens fall within the “greens” category as well but rather than harvesting matures leaves, you are cutting at the seedling stage, just after the first true leaves have emerged. These seedlings have a short turnaround time and can be high value in the right markets, making them attractive to growers that have the protected production area and labor available.
Key Requirements
| Land | Low |
| Labor | High |
| Capital | Medium |
Take the HortBizQuiz to see how much Land, Labor, and Capital you have for your operation.
Markets
- Direct to Consumer
- Restaurants
- Local Grocery
Pest & Disease
Microgreens and leafy greens alike can be very susceptible to diseases due to the ideal environment they are grown in. Foliar diseases are something to be prepared for along with typical controlled-environment insects like aphids and white flies.
Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.
Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.
Challenges
- Post harvest cooling and handling requirements can be a series economic consideration.
- Very labor intensive especially for microgreens
- Kentucky’s sometimes unpredictable climate can cause pre-mature bolting
Opportunities
- Many different options for varieties and species of greens.
- Season extension and winter growing
- Market familiarity from customers