Microgreens are one of the easiest and fastest crops you can grow indoors. Most varieties go from seed to harvest in 7 to 21 days, need very little space, and pack a lot of flavor into a small leaf.
What you need
- Shallow trays with drainage
- A clean growing medium such as coco coir, a seed-starting mix, or a hemp mat
- Seeds sold for sprouting or microgreens (radish, broccoli, pea, sunflower and basil are easy starters)
- A light source: a sunny window works, but an LED grow light gives faster, more even growth
- A spray bottle
Step by step
- Fill the tray with about one inch of moistened medium and level it.
- Scatter seeds thickly and evenly, then press them gently into the surface.
- Mist well and cover with a second tray or lid for 2 to 4 days to keep them dark and humid while they germinate.
- Once seeds sprout, uncover and place under light for 12 to 16 hours a day.
- Water from the bottom when the medium starts to dry, so leaves stay dry and mold-free.
- Harvest with clean scissors just above the medium when the first true leaves appear.
Tips
Good airflow prevents mold, so a small fan helps. Rinse and dry your harvest, then store it in the fridge and use within a week.
Shop indoor grow lights and growing equipment to get started.
