Microgreens are the one edible crop that does not care what season it is, what climate you live in, or whether you have outdoor space. They grow in 7 to 21 days from seed to harvest in a shallow tray, require nothing more sophisticated than a sunny windowsill or a basic grow light, and produce nutritionally dense greens continuously throughout the year with minimal investment in space, time, or money.
If you are new to growing food, microgreens are an ideal starting point — fast results, low failure rate, and an immediate connection between what you grow and what you eat. If you are an experienced gardener, microgreens fill the gap between the end of the outdoor growing season and the spring planting window when fresh homegrown produce disappears. For outdoor growing guides by season, see our edible gardening collection and the planting date calculator to plan your seasonal transitions.
What Are Microgreens
Microgreens are seedlings harvested at the first or second true leaf stage — typically 1 to 3 inches tall — rather than allowed to mature into full plants. They are distinct from sprouts: sprouts are germinated seeds eaten whole including the root, while microgreens are grown in soil and harvested at the stem above the root zone.
The flavor of a microgreen is concentrated compared to the mature plant — broccoli microgreens taste intensely of broccoli; radish microgreens have a sharp peppery bite; pea shoots taste vividly of fresh sweet peas.
What You Need to Get Started
- Shallow trays: 10x20 inch nursery flats work perfectly. Standard depth (1 to 2 inches) is enough for most microgreen varieties.
- Growing medium: A fine-textured seed starting mix or coir works better than regular potting mix.
- Seeds: Sunflower, pea, radish, broccoli, kale, mustard, arugula, and basil are all excellent starting varieties.
- Light: A south-facing window with 4+ hours of direct light works. A simple LED grow light (T5 style or panel) allows year-round growing regardless of window exposure.
The Growing Method
Step 1: Pre-Soak Larger Seeds
Large seeds like sunflower, peas, and corn need 4 to 8 hours of soaking before sowing to speed germination. Small seeds (broccoli, radish, arugula, basil) can be sown directly.
Step 2: Fill and Dampen the Tray
Fill the tray with 1 to 1.5 inches of growing medium. Smooth the surface flat and water thoroughly until the medium is evenly moist but not waterlogged. A bottom-watering setup (a second tray below the growing tray) is ideal — it keeps the surface dry, which reduces mold risk.
Step 3: Sow Densely
Microgreens are sown much more densely than garden planting: you want near-complete coverage of the tray surface. For small seeds (broccoli, radish), sprinkle evenly so seeds are touching but not deeply overlapping. A standard 10x20 tray uses roughly 1 tablespoon of small seeds.
Step 4: Germination Period
Cover the seeded tray with an inverted empty tray or plastic dome. This creates darkness and maintains moisture during germination. Seeds do not need light to germinate — only moisture and appropriate temperature (65 to 75 degrees F is ideal). After 2 to 4 days, most varieties will have germinated. Remove the cover and move the tray to light.
Step 5: Growing Under Light
Expose the tray to light and maintain consistent moisture through bottom watering. Keep the surface just moist. Overwatering causes damping off (fungal collapse of seedlings at the stem); too little water causes the seedlings to wilt and become bitter. Grow lights should be 2 to 4 inches above the tray surface.
Step 6: Harvest
Harvest when the seedlings have reached 1 to 3 inches of height and the first true leaves are beginning to emerge. Use clean scissors, cutting just above the soil surface. Rinse and use immediately or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Most varieties do not regrow after cutting and the tray can be composted and reused.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trays do I need for a continuous supply?
Most households find 2 to 3 trays, staggered by 5 to 7 days, provide a steady continuous supply. When one tray is ready to harvest, the next is partway through its grow cycle — the same succession planting principle that keeps salad gardens productive throughout the season.
Can microgreens be grown without a grow light?
In a south-facing window with 4+ hours of direct sun, yes — though the seedlings will be slightly less vigorous than under supplemental light. In east or west-facing windows or during winter in northern climates, a grow light is necessary for acceptable results.
What are the easiest microgreens to start with?
Radish, broccoli, and pea shoots are the most beginner-friendly. Radish and broccoli germinate within 2 days reliably; pea shoots are large-seeded and easy to handle.
Are there any seeds that should not be used for microgreens?
Avoid seeds treated with fungicides or other pesticides — these are fine for outdoor garden planting but not for an edible crop harvested at the seedling stage. Tomato and pepper family microgreens (nightshades) are not recommended as the seedlings contain solanine at higher concentrations than the mature plant.
How do microgreens compare nutritionally to mature vegetables?
Research by the USDA and others has found that many microgreens contain higher concentrations of vitamins and antioxidants per gram than the mature vegetable. Red cabbage microgreens, for example, were found to have 40 times more vitamin E and 6 times more vitamin C than mature red cabbage by weight.