Eric Franks

Eric Franks is a grower and coauthor whose Microgreens introduces small-scale cultivation of edible greens. Written with Jasmine Richardson, the book explains how to plant, tend, and harvest young crops such as arugula, basil, broccoli, chard, cilantro, mustard, pea, and radish. Its practical scope extends from choosing materials and following a ten-step growing method to composting, troubleshooting, and using the harvest in recipes. Gibbs Smith published the first edition in 2009, with photographs credited to Margaux Gibbons. Franks and Richardson operated Microcosm Microgreens in Big Sur, California, giving the guide a working grower's perspective rather than presenting it only as a cookbook trend. The methods are designed for modest spaces, including porches, patios, decks, balconies, and indoor areas, which makes the subject accessible to readers without conventional gardens. Microgreens joins horticulture and cooking by treating each crop as something to cultivate carefully and then use, with seasonal variety and everyday meals kept in view.