How to Grow Microgreens at Home in 10 Days
Microgreens are vegetable seedlings harvested a week or two after sprouting — and they're the fastest, cheapest, most space-efficient thing you can grow. No garden, no grow tent, no experience. A tray on the kitchen counter goes from dry seed to harvest in about 10 days, and those little greens sell for $25+/lb at the grocery store.
What you need
- A shallow tray — a proper 10×20 growing tray, or any takeout container with holes poked in it
- Seed starting mix or coco coir — about an inch deep
- Seeds in bulk — microgreens use a LOT of seed per tray, so buy by the ounce, not the packet
- A spray bottle — for gentle watering
- Any bright windowsill — or a small grow light for faster, more even results
Trays, growing medium, and a variety of bulk seed in one box — everything for your first several harvests.
See starter kits →Best varieties for beginners
- Radish — the speed champion: 6–8 days, spicy kick, nearly foolproof
- Pea shoots — sweet, crunchy, and productive; soak seeds overnight first
- Sunflower — nutty and substantial; also benefits from an overnight soak
- Broccoli — mild flavor, famous for its nutrient density
- Mustard — fast and zingy, great on sandwiches
The 10-day method
- Day 1: Fill the tray with an inch of moistened mix. Scatter seed densely — the surface should look generously covered. Press seeds into the soil, mist, then cover with another tray or a plate to block light.
- Days 2–4 (blackout): Keep covered and dark. Mist daily. The sprouts push up against the weight, growing strong stems.
- Days 4–5: Uncover — the pale, yellow sprouts will green up within a day in light.
- Days 5–10: Bright light, mist or bottom-water daily. Harvest when the first true leaves appear.
- Harvest: Snip just above the soil with scissors. Rinse, eat, and start the next tray.
Common problems, quick fixes
- Mold/fuzz on the soil: usually root hairs (harmless) — but if it smells off, improve airflow and water less. Root hairs disappear after misting; mold doesn't.
- Leggy, pale greens: not enough light after blackout. Move closer to the window or add a light.
- Patchy growth: seed spread too thin. Be more generous next tray.
Once you're hooked, bulk bags of radish, pea, and sunflower seed drop your cost to under $1 per tray.
Shop bulk seed →Why this is the perfect first crop
Ten days from start to harvest means ten days to learn from mistakes and try again — a full garden season of learning compressed into a month. And unlike sprouting jars, microgreens grow in soil and light, so the food-safety margin is wider. Start one tray of radish this week; you'll be eating it before next weekend.
Quick answers
Do microgreens regrow after cutting?
Mostly no — except pea shoots, which often give a second (smaller) harvest. Everyone else: compost the mat, start a fresh tray.
Can I use regular seeds from the garden center?
Yes, botanically they're the same — but packet quantities make it expensive. Bulk "microgreen" or "sprouting" seed costs a fraction per tray.
How do I store harvested microgreens?
Unwashed, in a container with a paper towel, in the fridge: 5–7 days. Wash just before eating, not before storing.