Something to sprout about

Let’s face it, after the last two years, most of us will be treading carefully into 2022. However, when it comes to those luscious and nutritious microgreens, there is most definitely something to ‘sprout’ about when it comes to starting 2022 with a bang!

What are microgreens?

Microgreens in the most laymen of terms are baby vegetables. And in more advanced and fancy terms, they are those plants whose cotyledon leaves have fully developed, and the first true leaves have emerged. Popular microgreens can include, but are not limited to:

• Basil
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Mustard
• Parsley
• Pea
• Rocket
• Red Pak Choi.

And we hear you, you’ve surely been wondering where on earth you can get your hands on such fresh microgreens, and you’re bound to be wondering if we have some local growers at hand here in Selwyn.

And the answer to that is a resounding yes. If you are a Microgreen fan or are interested in living a healthier lifestyle, we highly recommend you check out these places!

Brown Acres Farm, Tai Tapu

Brown Acres Farm is a beautiful family run farm based in Tai Tapu, who have discovered a far more efficient and organic way to produce their microgreens. Unlike most farms, Don and Jess Murchie have found that growing their microgreens vertically comes with a multitude of benefits.

Their microgreens can be grown at a set temperature all year round, allowing for the same yield to be harvested and grown no matter the time of year.

Grown inside, there is no wastage caused by weather, no pests to be kept safe from, so ultimately there are no risks of sprays hitting them from neighbouring farms or from their own protection methods. And what’s more, is that they use 95% less water, and require six times less land that is usually used to grow the same amount of produce. Talk about a super organic climate for these super foods!

Brown Acres specifically focuses their care and love on tiny peas, broccoli, radish, and sunflower shoots. So, what are you waiting for? With home delivery options available, you might well have found your new source of such Microgreens!

Visit Brown Acres Farm

Micromachine Microgreens, Motukarara

Micromachine Microgreens is another stunning family run business located in Motukarara who had a vision of creating a more sustainable living that was both organic and enjoyable.

And what’s more is that they carry out deliveries, with a variety of choices of veggies, to a variety of customers. From weekly subscribers, restaurants/cafes, veggie box distributors, wholesalers, and shops, Micromachine will have you covered.

Sustainable living and promoting environmentally friendly products are at the heart of this business. Their packaging is made of a sugar byproduct and with paper labels so that the whole package can be composted at home. This is a far cry from those plastics usually used that are not recycled properly often enough!

Determined to do more for the environment and more for the people in our community, Kristie, as a Naturopath educates people through their website (www.micromachine.nz) as to how to stay healthy through these covid dominated times. If you head to their website, you will find free delicious and well-thought-out recipes that incorporate your microgreens into your meals.

 Visit Micromachine Microgreens

Untamed Earth, Christchurch

Untamed Earth. Driven by their passion to bring organic and succulent vegetables and microgreens to people, Untamed Earth run not one but two organic farms! Their microgreens and vegetables range from carrots and broccolis to the more unique vegetables you won’t find on the shelves.

Anybody who is a keen enthusiast of microgreens or organic vegetables or wants to try for a healthier lifestyle then Untamed Earth is the farm for you! With over forty different kinds of fruit, vegetables and herbs on 60 acres of organic market gardens, you won’t be able to keep up with what they can offer. Which in terms of sourcing the healthiest and best foods, is exactly what you want!

If convenience and reputation is key to you, then the fact that Untamed Earth supplies their organic vegetables directly to Piko Wholefoods, Cultivate Christchurch and some of Ōtautahi’s top cafés and restaurants, might well be the cherry on top of the cake.

And with farmer markets held at Lyttelton, Ohoka and Opawa, or a home delivery option you certainly won’t be stuck for options.

Visit Untamed Earth

Streamside Organics, Leeston

Streamside Organics. Dominique and Logan’s story is impressive. Starting on just 1 acre back in 2014, Streamside Organics has since flourished and expanded to over 50 acres with a team of passionate organic farmers now working with them.

Located near Leeston on the outskirts of Christchurch, this beautiful and resourceful garden farm pride themselves on using regenerative farming techniques. By growing organically, it means that no pesticides or chemically produced fertilisers are used in the production of the vegetables.

Time and time again they are praised by their customers who are excited and inspired by the seasonal varieties that Streamside Organics has to offer. By offering recipes, this farm goes that extra mile to ensure that their customers can truly and effectively put their microgreens and produce to good use in beautiful and beneficial dishes.

So, whatever microgreen or vegetable you are after, you can be sure Streamside Organics are more than likely to be able to supply it to you. And if you have an idea of exactly what you want, they offer a fantastic range of customised boxes that we know will have you excited for what comes next!

Visit Streamside Organics