There is an emerging trend in salad greens. This is the use of what Rowena Bienes of Allied Botanical calls microgreens. These are actually mass-sprouted seeds in a shallow container using sterile potting media. The seeds used are those produced in big numbers by open-pollinated vegetables. These include amaranth, spinach, radish, pechay, pepper and others.

The sprouted seeds are harvested when they have a couple of leaves and prepared the usual way as green salad. These young plants are considered very nutritious. In producing microgreens, it is important to use seeds that are plentiful.