Welcome to the world of cultivating your own microgreens! Whether you choose to grow them outdoors during warm seasons or indoors year-round, even in limited spaces, you can enjoy countertop gardening. Microgreens are cost-effective, enjoyable to cultivate, and offer a wide range of delicious, nutrient-rich flavors. We hope you find pleasure in growing and savoring these vibrant living foods! Be sure to explore our Hydroponic Method Growing Guide Below.

Materials Needed:
Growing trays with drain holes
Growing trays without drain holes
Soil mix
Seeds Spray bottle

Step-by-Step Instructions:
Specific details and additional instructions for each seed type can be found on their respective product pages. Simply use the search bar above to locate the page for your specific seed. General guidelines for growing microgreens or baby salad greens are provided below. Depending on the germination and harvest times, you may need to sow your seeds at different intervals to ensure simultaneous harvesting of all your greens. The microgreens growing kit includes enough seeds for multiple plantings. While microgreens are generally easy to grow, some experimentation may be needed to achieve optimal results.

Step 1: Pre-soak seeds – Most seeds that require soil for growth need to be pre-soaked before spreading them over your soil. Seeds like beets, sunflowers, peas, buckwheat, and cilantro should be soaked by submerging them in a jar filled with cold water. Rinse thoroughly with cold water after the appropriate soaking time (refer to specific seed product page). Smaller seeds such as mustard and broccoli do not require pre-soaking before sowing.

Step 2: Prepare trays – Fill the tray with drain holes with about 1.5 inches of soil. Nest the tray with holes into the tray without holes. Use fine soil without larger particles to allow proper root development. Spread the soil evenly, gently press it flat (a spatula works well for this), and ensure it is firm but not compacted. Dampen the soil by misting or spray water over it until it is quite moist but not soggy.

Step 3: Spread seeds – Evenly distribute your seeds across the tray. Larger seeds like buckwheat, sunflower, and peas should be spread thickly (refer to the seeding rate on the product page). Provide each seed with enough space, approximately the size of the seed itself, to prevent tangling.

Step 4: Water and cover – Cover the seeds with a light layer of soil to increase humidity during germination. Use a spray bottle to mist the seeds directly on the soil. Mist the inside of a tray without holes 4 or 5 times and use it as a humidity dome over the seeded tray. Place the tray in a location with an ideal temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 5: Mist every 12 hours – Uncover the tray every 12 hours, mist the seeds with 15 to 20 sprays, and then re-cover the tray. Avoid adding additional water besides misting.

Step 6: Uncover after 3-5 days – Allow the crop to grow in the dark for the first 3-5 days to encourage upward growth. After the emergence of baby leaves (cotyledons), add about 1/2 inch of water to the tray without holes for bottom watering.

Step 7: Expose to light – Ensure your crop receives ample light exposure. LED grow lights are recommended, but sunlight or other artificial lights work as well. Rotate the tray occasionally if the crop leans towards the light. Check the soil daily and water as needed to maintain proper moisture levels.

Step 8: Harvest time – Most microgreens are ready for harvest in about 10 days, with some ready as early as 7 days. Harvest before 14 or 15 days to prevent overgrowth. Trim the microgreens just above the soil line using scissors.

Storage Tip: Rinse and dry – Rinse the microgreens under cold water using a colander. Dry them thoroughly by spreading them over a towel or paper towels to air dry. For faster drying, use a fan on a low setting. Cut greens are best served immediately after drying but can be loosely stored in a bowl in the refrigerator for a few days. Ensure greens are completely dry before refrigerating.  

 

1. Prepare containers: Pour water into the tray or container. Cut a growing pad to fit the bottom of the container, and place it inside. Swish the pad at the bottom around to dampen it, then flip it over to fully saturate the other side.

2. Plant Seeds: Spread the microgreen seeds across the surface of the pad evenly. How many seeds it is ideal to plant will depend on the size of the container.

3. Water Seeds: Mist the surface of the seeds. Create a humidity-friendly environment by placing the microgreen container inside a dark paper bag or use a dark lid or tray to cover it (be sure to mist the interior of the cover). Continue to mist the seeds and lid every twelve hours; no additional water is needed for the pad inside the container.

4. Move to light environment: Leave the containers covered between four to five days. After this period, uncover the container and place them under sunlight or some other growing light source. It is recommended to rotate the trays to prevent seedlings from growing slanted.

5. Maintain microgreens: Keep an eye on the pad inside the container; if it begins to dry out, add more water. Ideally, you should keep water in the container channels, so the pad is able to absorb water as needed.

6. Harvest: Like soil-based microgreens, hydroponic microgreens will be ready to harvest in about ten days
 

When and how microgreens are harvested depend on their growth stage:

Sprouts
- Sprouts can be harvested within a day or two of germination.
- The entire sprout can be consumed, including the roots and early leaves.
- De-hulling is essential to remove seed hulls for better storage.

De-hulling sprouts:

1. Immerse sprouts in a bowl of cold water.
2. Loosen sprouts to separate hulls that will float to the surface.
3. Remove hulls from the water.
4. Drain sprouts well to eliminate excess water.

Microgreens
- Microgreens are ready for harvest after 10 to 14 days when the first true leaves emerge or when they reach 1.5 to 2.5 inches tall.
- Both stems and leaves are harvested for consumption, leaving the roots behind.

Harvesting Tips:
- Preferably harvest microgreens at night or in the morning.
- Use clean scissors or a knife to cut above the soil line.
- Compost soil or dispose of the pad after harvesting.

Baby Greens
- Harvest baby greens between 21-40 days or when they are 4-6 inches tall.
- Two harvesting methods: Multiple Harvest or Leaf/Full Harvest. After harvest, rinse plants under cold water to remove soil or grit.
After harvest, rinse plants under cold water to remove soil or grit.

Ideal Harvesting Stage:
- Sprouts are rich in nutrients and enzymes, best for easy digestion.
- Microgreens are highly nutritious and flavorful, preferred by most gardeners.
- Baby greens offer a tender texture and unique flavor that some prefer over mature greens.