Microgreens Made Easy: A Beginner’s Guide

Get a powerful boost of nutrients in a fraction of the time by growing microgreens at home!

What You'll Need to Get Started

1. A Tray or Container with a Lid- You'll need a wide, shallow tray to serve as your garden bed. For the first few days, it will need a lid or plastic cover to create a humid environment for the seeds. You can get creative here—a baking sheet, casserole dish, foil pie tin, or even a clean takeout container can work well. The only challenge is finding a cover that fits properly. For a reusable, perfectly-fitted option, you can also use a 10x20 propagation tray with a matching humidity dome, which can be sanitized and used over and over.

2. Grow Medium or a Grow Mat- Many microgreen growers prefer using a grow mat (often made from coconut husk, jute, or hemp) because it's so easy to cut to the perfect size for your container. Alternatively, a good quality, light soil mix works beautifully. We find that coco coir mixes are an excellent choice!

3. Seeds- For beginners, it's often easiest to start with a single type of seed. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, mustard, basil, and sunflower are some of the most popular and straightforward varieties to grow. You can also find specialty microgreen seed mixes that combine different seeds with similar growth rates for a more diverse harvest.

4. A Light Source- Your microgreens will need about four hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. In many cases, a sunny windowsill is all you need. If you don't have one available, you'll need a supplemental light, like a fluorescent or LED light strip or even a bulb in a lamp that can be placed close to the sprouts.

Ready to Begin?

We have all the gear you'll need to get started on your microgreens journey! Feel free to call or stop by the shop with any questions.

The Health Perks of Microgreens

1. A Nutrient Powerhouse- Microgreens can deliver up to 40% more nutrients, micronutrients, and minerals than their full-grown counterparts, giving your body more of the good stuff it needs to thrive.

2. Supports Gut Health- Microgreens act as a prebiotic, which means they feed the beneficial probiotic bacteria living in your digestive system, helping to support overall gut health.

3. A Smart Trick for Picky Eaters- Even the most dedicated parents can struggle to get their little ones to eat vegetables. Because of their small size and often more mild flavor, microgreens can be easily mixed into other foods to "sneak" some extra nutrition into your child's favorite meals.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Your First Harvest

1. Prep the Seeds- Soak your seeds according to the package instructions. Some varieties may not need soaking, so always check the packaging for the best results.

2. Moisten the Grow Medium- If you're using a grow mat, soak it in water and then gently squeeze out the excess. If using soil, pre-moisten it so it's damp but not waterlogged.

3. Fill the Tray- Place your damp grow mat in the tray or fill it with your pre-moistened soil, creating a smooth, even surface.

4. Scatter the Seeds- Sprinkle your seeds as evenly as you can across the top of the grow surface. Gently press them down to ensure they make good contact with the mat or soil.

5. Cover and Wait- Cover your tray with its lid or dome and place it in a sunny spot or under your light source. While you wait for sprouts to appear (usually within 3 to 7 days), use a mister to spray the surface once or twice daily. The goal is to keep it moist, but not soggy.

6. Let There Be Light!- Once your seeds have sprouted, you can remove the dome. Continue to mist the sprouts once or twice a day and make sure they get about four hours of light. If your sprouts look tall, skinny, and pale, they're telling you they need more light!

7. Harvest Time- Your crop is ready to harvest when the first set of "true leaves" appears and the plants are about two inches tall. Simply use clean scissors to snip the greens right above the soil level.

8. Wash, Eat, and Repeat- Give your harvested microgreens a gentle wash, and they are ready to enjoy! Once you've savored your harvest, you can start again at step one for a continuous supply of fresh, homegrown greens.