By Susan Heeger

Fast-growing sprouts and microgreens are small in scale and big on flavor -- perfect for gardeners short on patience.

Sow seeds in a repurposed takeout-food container. In a week or so, you'll have enough greens to garnish several dishes.

1. Radish Sprouts

3 to 6 days from seed to sprout

2. Sunflower Microgreens

12 to 14 days in winter; 7 to 9 days in summer

3. Cress Microgreens

7 to 10 days in winter; 5 to 7 days in summer

4. Tatsoi Microgreens

10 to 12 days in winter; 5 to 7 days in summer

5. Buckwheat Microgreens

8 to 12 days in winter; 5 to 7 days in summer

6. Adzuki Sprouts

2 to 4 days

7. Mung Bean Sprouts

2 to 5 days

8. Arugula Microgreens

7 to 10 days in winter; 5 to 7 days in summer

9. Lentil Sprouts

2 to 3 days

Buy organic seeds specifically sold for sprouting. To keep harmful bacteria and mold from growing, before each use, sterilize containers with a bleach solution (one tablespoon bleach to one pint of water) or try food-grade hydrogen peroxide or grapefruit-seed extract (following package instructions).

Step One: Sort the Seeds

Pick through your seeds, and discard any bits of soil, rock, or other debris.

Cover seeds with 2 to 3 times as much cool water. Stir, then let them sit, usually 8 to 12 hours, depending on their hardness and the package directions.

Transfer seeds to a jar fitted with a screened lid. Fill with water, swirl seeds, and drain at an angle, shaking to remove all water. Repeat at least once. Rinse in this way 2 or 3 times daily until sprouts are ready.

Spread out the sprouts on a paper towel. When dry, pour into a sealed jar or container, and refrigerate. They are best when eaten fresh but will keep for up to a week.

There's nothing like a grilled-cheese-and-bacon sandwich. When you add slices of crisp apple and fresh-tasting sprouts to balance the richness, why, you have yourself a new instant classic.

Success with one tray of greens might inspire more. Planting several in succession ensures a continual harvest.

Step One: Sow Seeds in a Planting Mix

A clean, reused food container with improvised drainage holes makes for a perfect farm-in-a-box when filled with organic seed-starting mix and sprinkled with seeds.

Lightly sift a fine layer of additional planting mix over seeds, and water with a spray bottle. See each seed packet for specific planting depths.

Mist every day or whenever soil looks dry, and give plants lots of sun (6 to 8 hours a day is ideal).

Loosen and gently pull up small clumps of microgreens as needed, and wash off dirt. Or snip with scissors just above the soil level to use greens as a topping or garnish.

The fresh flavor of microgreens is a great alternative to spinach in an omelet.