Beginner’s Guide To Growing Microgreens

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about growing microgreens at home as a beginner.

I fell in love with gardening at a young age, but I never really had the opportunity to pursue it passionately until my twenties. Since then, I’ve experimented with growing all sorts of plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

Around the same time, I started to learn a lot about diet and wellbeing. From fermented vegetables to sprouted seeds, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the amazing nutrient profile and prebiotic effect of microgreens.

What was more surprising was how quickly I could grow a large batch of microgreens with very little effort on my part.

I’m still learning, but I wanted to share my simple step-by-step guide to growing microgreens with anyone who has an interest in gardening or organic farming.

What Are Microgreens?

Just as the name suggests, microgreens are seedlings that have been harvested as young greens. Usually, the sprouts are harvested and eaten after the first set of leaves have developed.

These leaves are known as cotyledon leaves.

For consumption, we will only focus on growing and harvesting edible herbs and vegetables.

What Are The Benefits?

For one, you can harvest microgreens for consumption within two weeks since this is the average time it takes for most seeds to germinate and sprout with the first set of leaves.

Some research indicates that microgreens consist of up to 40% more phytochemicals than a fully grown plant or harvest. Phytochemicals are the beneficial nutrients and compounds that are found in plants to help them fight off bacteria, fungi, and infections.

They can be grown year-round and indoors with artificial light.

Based on a study conducted by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, microgreens contained between 4 and 40 times more nutrients by weight than their fully grown counterparts.

They have a diverse and powerful profile that can improve the taste and texture of meals.

Microgreens make it easy for you to get a full array of nutrients in a quick and simple way. Plus, it’s easier to digest certain grains and seeds that have been sprouted.

Who Is This Guide For?

This guide is for beginners who have a keen interest in learning how to grow microgreens, plants, and herbs from home in the most cost-effective manner.

This is also a guide for kids, teens, or adults who want to take up a fun and healthy hobby that is cathartic, relaxing, and rewarding.

Lastly, it is for people who want to take control of their health by growing and consuming organic plant-based food.

Watch this video for a simple demonstration of how to plant and grow microgreens from seeds at home.

Getting Started:

Step-by-step instruction on how to grow microgreens from seeds using a container and potting soil.

1. Choosing microgreens

It is advisable to start with a variety that is easy and affordable to source and can be grown year-round. When we speak of year-round sowing, we are referring to seeds that will grow in all four seasons of the year.

Additionally, I would advise you to choose a variety with a large quantity of seeds per pack for a greater yield.

Here’s a list of the most popular microgreens to grow at home: (Name + Taste Profile)

1. Kale: Packed with nutrients and has a slightly bitter taste.
2. Basil: Offers a sweet, aromatic flavor.
3. Celery: Has a mild, celery-like taste.
4. Broccoli: Rich in nutrients and has a mild, earthy taste.
5. Cilantro (Coriander): Adds a fresh, citrusy flavor.
6. Radish: Provides a spicy kick, especially the red varieties.
7. Chard: Colorful and has a mild, earthy flavor.
8. Arugula: Adds a peppery flavor to salads and sandwiches.
9. Pea Shoots: Sweet and tender, with a subtle pea flavor.
10. Mustard: Comes in various varieties with different levels of spiciness.
11. Sunflower: Has a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture.
12. Red Amaranth: Offers vibrant red color and a mild, earthy taste.
13. Spinach: Delicate and mild in flavor.
14. Kohlrabi: Provides a mild, cabbage-like flavor.
15. Beet: Has a sweet and earthy flavor.
16. Chives: Imparts a mild onion or garlic flavor.
17. Lettuce: Different varieties offer various flavors and textures.
18. Fennel: Offers a mild licorice flavor.
19. Dill: Adds a fresh, herby taste.
20. Parsley: Adds a fresh, bright flavor.
21. Garden Cress: Spicy and rich in flavor.

2. Gather supplies

For this guide, I want to keep it as simple and cheap as possible. For this purpose, I will not include the use of pH testing kits or artificial natural lighting, which can be useful accessories for more advanced gardeners.

Here’s a list of the essentials you’ll need for growing microgreens at home:

1. Seeds
2. Shallow trays or plastic containers (preferably with drainage holes)
3. Soilless growing medium or potting soil
4. Watering spray bottle

Quick notes:

Since my primary intention is to grow microgreens for consumption, I want to maximize the benefits, which is why it’s better to opt for high-quality seeds that are non-GMO.

Humidity and light are paramount when sprouting seeds. The ideal temperature for growth is between 60-75°F (15-24°C). But, for the sake of simplicity and convenience, we’ll leave it up to Mother Nature and expose the seeds to natural sunlight.

When watering, it is advisable to use a delicate method to avoid disturbing the seedling. A spray bottle with adjustable settings is perfect. But you can save money by repurposing an old plastic bottle and inserting small holes in the lid for the water to gently rain onto the tray of seeds.

I prefer to use potting soil to enhance the nutrient profile of my microgreens. You can grab a huge bag for about a dollar or two. Regular soil will also suffice. Tissue paper or water can be used as a last resort.

3. Add soil to a container

Grab as much potting soil as you can and layer it in a container.

Be sure to pat it down to create an even distribution of soil for adequate germination.

Also, you can squeeze in more soil using this method to enhance the amount of nutrients in your microgreens.

4. Sow your seeds

Sprinkle your pack of microgreen seeds onto the soul as evenly as you can.

You don’t have to be concerned with spacing because we will be harvesting these seeds once the first leaves sprout.

Pat down the seeds to slightly submerge them in the soil. If you wish, add a light layer of soil on top of the seeds.

5. Water and place your seeds under light

Soil and seeds require water for adequate hydration and germination. Using a spray bottle, water the seeds until the soil appears moist.

Then, place your container of seeds in an area with some sunlight.

If you are growing microgreens indoors, place the container of seeds under artificial lighting.

6. Water daily

It is advisable to water your seeds twice per day. Continue this process until your microgreens are ready for harvesting and consumption.

7. Harvest

On average, it takes about a day or two for most seeds to germinate and about 7 to 10 days for a full batch of leaves to appear that are ready for harvesting.

Depending on the environmental conditions and the type of microgreen, this process can take place faster or slower.

One-Week Update:

I wanted to show you a progress picture of the microgreens I grew for this tutorial. It took just one week for the leaves to sprout a vibrant and rich color. They could be harvested at this point, but some people prefer to wait until they are a few days older.

Final Thoughts

Growing microgreens is a simple and cost-effective way of introducing healthy and organic plants and herbs into your diet.

I hope this beginner guide was helpful and that you are able to grow microgreens at home.

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below and share this guide with your friends and family.