From Our Farm to Yours.

How To Grow Microgreens At Home.

A complete, step-by-step growing guide from Root & All, because we believe good food starts with understanding where it comes from.

100% Organic Grown. Non-GMO.

Locally Grown Microgreens.

We deliver nutrient-dense, farm-fresh microgreens straight to your kitchen table every week or month. Grown locally with love (and zero junk).

Tiny Greens. Big Conversation.

Tell us what you’re growing toward, and we’ll help bring the freshest microgreens from our farm to your table.

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Let's Talk About Growing Microgreens For Yourself.

We get asked all the time: "If you sell microgreens, why would you teach people to grow their own?" It's a fair question.

The honest answer is that growing something with your own hands, even something as small as a tray of pea shoots, connects you to your food in a way that ordering online never quite can. We want that for you. And on the weeks when life is busy, or a tray doesn't turn out the way you hoped, we'll still be here with a fresh harvest ready to ship. 


So here's everything we know about growing microgreens at home, from choosing your seeds to the first bite. 

Why Grow Your Own Microgreens? 

Microgreens are one of the fastest, most forgiving crops you can grow indoors. Most varieties go from seed to harvest in 7 to 21 days, need no garden bed or backyard, and thrive on a sunny windowsill or under a basic grow light. They're also remarkably nutrient-dense for their size. Many varieties contain notably higher concentrations of vitamins and antioxidants than their fully grown counterparts, so a small tray on your counter can meaningfully boost the nutrition of your everyday meals. For families, classrooms, and home cooks alike, growing microgreens is a low-cost, low-space way to put fresh, living food back into the kitchen.


What You'll Need. 


Trays: 

Look for a shallow tray, roughly 1 to 2 inches deep, with drainage holes, paired with a solid tray underneath to catch water. A standard 10-by-20-inch nursery tray (the kind used for garden seedlings) is the industry standard and works well for most home growers. Avoid anything too deep; microgreens have shallow roots and don't need much depth to grow. 


Growing Medium: 

You have a few solid options here: 

Soil or seed-starting mix: the most traditional option, affordable and widely available, though it can be a bit messier at harvest. 

Coco coir: a coconut-husk byproduct that holds moisture beautifully and is a favorite among home growers for its clean, low-mess harvest. 

Hemp or jute grow mats: a soil-free option that's tidy and reusable in some cases, though it typically needs a bit more attentive watering. 

Any of these will work. We'd encourage you to try a couple and see what fits your routine. 


Seeds: 

This is the step we'd ask you to slow down on. Not every seed sold at a garden store is labeled or tested for eating at the sprout stage, and using the wrong seed can be a genuine food-safety risk (more on that below). Look specifically for seed labeled for sprouting or microgreens use, ideally from a supplier that tests for pathogens like salmonella and E. coli. Popular, beginner-friendly varieties include pea shoots, sunflower, radish, broccoli, and red cabbage, all varieties we grow here on our farm. 


Water & Light: 

A spray bottle works for the first few days, but many experienced growers switch to bottom watering (pouring water into the tray underneath and letting the growing medium soak it up) once true leaves appear, since it keeps moisture off the leaves and reduces the risk of mold. For light, a bright, south-facing windowsill can work, but a simple LED grow light will give you far more consistent results, especially in winter months when natural light is limited. 

HOW DO OUR MICROGREEN SUBSCRIPTIONS WORK?

Fresh Microgreens, Delivered Weekly or Monthly.

Farm-fresh, nutrient-packed microgreens harvested at peak freshness & delivered straight to your door. Flexible subscription plans designed to match your kitchen's rhythm.

Growing Microgreens Step-by-Step.

Step 1. Soak Larger Seeds (If Needed).

Larger seeds like sunflower and pea shoots benefit from an 8 to 12 hour soak in room-temperature water before planting. This softens the outer seed coat and speeds up germination. Smaller seeds, like broccoli and radish, don't need soaking and can be sown dry.

Step 2. Prepare & Sow Your Tray.

Fill your tray with about an inch of growing medium and gently level and firm the surface. You want it flat, not fluffy, so seeds make even contact. Scatter your seeds thickly and evenly across the surface. Unlike a backyard garden, microgreens are meant to grow close together, almost shoulder to shoulder, which is part of what gives them their delicate, tender texture. Press the seeds gently into the medium (a second empty tray pressed on top works well for this), then water thoroughly.

Step 3. Weight & Blackout.

For the first 3 to 5 days, cover your tray with another tray or a breathable lid and add a light weight on top, such as a few unopened cans. This "blackout and weight" period does double duty. The darkness encourages the seed to focus energy on rooting rather than stretching for light too early, and the gentle weight helps the emerging roots make strong contact with the growing medium, producing a straighter, more even stand of greens. Keep the medium moist during this time by lifting the cover briefly once a day to check.

Step 4. Uncover & Give Them Light.

Once you see pale yellow shoots pushing up and lifting the cover slightly (usually days 3 to 5, depending on the variety), remove the weight and cover and move the tray into bright light. Within a day or two, the shoots will green up dramatically as they begin photosynthesizing. This is one of the most satisfying moments of the whole process. Continue watering daily, ideally from the bottom, keeping the medium consistently moist but never waterlogged.

Step 5. Watch Them Grow.

Over the following days, your microgreens will stretch upward and develop their first true leaves, the second set of leaves that emerge above the initial rounded seed leaves. This is your visual cue that harvest is approaching. Growing times vary quite a bit by variety, so here's a general reference: 


Variety, Soak Seeds?, Blackout Period, Total Days to Harvest 

Radish - No, 2 to 3 days, 7 to 10 days 

Broccoli - No, 2 to 3 days, 8 to 12 days 

Red Cabbage - No, 3 to 4 days, 8 to 12 days 

Pea Shoots - Yes (8 to 12 hrs), 3 to 4 days, 10 to 14 days 

Sunflower - Yes (8 to 12 hrs), 3 to 4 days, 10 to 14 days 


These are general guidelines. Your exact timing will shift a little depending on your indoor temperature, humidity, and light source, so let your eyes be the final judge, not just the calendar. 

Step 6. Harvest at Peak Flavor.

Once the first true leaves have fully unfurled, your microgreens are ready. Using clean kitchen scissors, gather a small section between two fingers and snip just above the soil line. Harvest in the cool part of the day if possible, and try to use or refrigerate your greens within an hour or two of cutting for the best flavor and crunch.

Tiny Greens. Big Conversation.

Tell us what you’re growing toward, and we’ll help bring the freshest microgreens from our farm to your table.

Form #1

100% Organic Grown. Non-GMO.

Locally Grown Microgreens.

We deliver nutrient-dense, farm-fresh microgreens straight to your kitchen table every week or month. Grown locally with love (and zero junk).

Troubleshooting Common Problems.

Mold Or Fuzzy White Growth.

This is the most common issue home growers run into, and it's almost always caused by too much moisture and not enough airflow. Root hairs can sometimes look like mold but appear fuzzy and white in a uniform pattern near the base of the stems. True mold tends to look darker, patchier, and musty-smelling. If you suspect true mold, increase airflow with a small fan, water less frequently, and consider bottom watering going forward. 


Leggy, pale, or "stretched" growth. This usually means your greens didn't get enough light quickly enough after the blackout period, or the light source is too far away. Move your grow light closer (a few inches above the canopy) or relocate to a brighter window. 


Uneven germination. Often caused by inconsistent contact between seed and soil. Make sure you're pressing seeds in firmly and using a consistent weight during the blackout period. 


Seeds not sprouting at all. Double-check the age and storage of your seed. Sprouting seed loses viability faster than seed meant for garden planting, so buy in quantities you'll use within a season or two. 

Storing & Enjoying Your Harvest.

Fresh-cut microgreens are best enjoyed within a day or two, but properly stored, they'll hold their quality for 7 to 10 days. Keep them unwashed until just before you eat them, tucked into an airtight container lined with a dry paper towel to absorb excess moisture, and refrigerated between 34°F and 38°F. A quick rinse and gentle pat dry right before serving is all they need. 


From there, the only limit is your imagination: scattered over eggs, folded into a sandwich, stirred into a smoothie, or piled on top of soup for a bit of fresh color and crunch. 

A Note on Food Safety.

We take this seriously on our farm, and we want you to as well. Not every seed is safe to eat at the sprout or microgreen stage. Avoid growing microgreens from the nightshade family, including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and peppers, as their early shoots contain natural alkaloids like solanine that can be harmful. Rhubarb leaves and certain raw beans should also be avoided at any growth stage. Always purchase seed specifically labeled for sprouting or microgreen use, store it in a cool, dry place, and discard any tray that develops a sour smell, sliminess, or discoloration rather than risking it. 

Freshness Has an Address (And It Might Be Yours!)

Check our delivery zone to see if we’re currently sprouting near you!

  • Toledo

    Beverly, Birmingham, Darby (Eastern to South-Old South End), DeVeaux, Crossgates, Five Points, Downtown, East Toledo, Franklin Park, Garfield, Glendale-Heatherdowns (Byrne-Heatherdowns Village), Harvard Terrace, Library Village, Nasby, North Towne, Old Orchard, Old West End, Old South End, Old Town, ONE Village (includes the Polish International Village, Vistula, & North River), ONYX (includes historic Kuschwantz and Lenk's Hill neighborhoods), Ottawa, Point Place, Reynolds Corners, Roosevelt, Scott Park, Secor Gardens (includes the University of Toledo), Southwyck, Wernert's Corner, Trilby, University Hills, Uptown, Warehouse District, Warren Sherman, Westgate, Westmoreland, Point Place

  • Perrysburg

    Roachton, Lime City, Dowling / Five Points, City Center, Perrysburg South, Perrysburg Southeast, Perrysburg East, Belmont Farms Carrington Woods, Eckel Trace, Hawthorne, Horseshoe Bend, Meigs On The River, Riverbend Lakes, Saddlebrook, Sanctuary Meadows, The Sanctuary, Sanctuary In The Woods, Downtown, Rivercrest, Sheffield Place, The Hamlet, Riverside Park, Woodlands Park, Rossford

  • Maumee

    Business Corner, Homewood / Monclova, Maumee Northwest, City Center, Maumee East, Thackeray Rd / Maple Tree Dr, Maumee North, 7th St / Craig Rd, Beebe Keep, Blystone, Breckenridge, Byrnwyck, Carisbrook, Clearwater, Crystal Ridge, Deer Valley, Fairfield Park, Fenwyck Arms, Fort Miami Add, Greycliffe at The Quarry, Homestead At The Quarry, Hunts Addn, Hyde Park, Manitou Grounds, Maumee Valley Garden, Meadwood Heights, Miami, Miami Blocks, Olde Farm, Riverside Common, Shadow Valley, Stillwater, Stonegate, The Glen Of Shadow V, The Quarry, Valley Stream, Village Of Fox Hollow, Waterside, Williams Way, Woodbrooke Condos, Wrenwood

  • Holland

    Sandburr Corners / Spring Valley, Village Center / South Hill Park, Crissey, Holland West, Holland North, Holland-Sylvania, Wolfinger, The Shops at Fallen Timbers, The Strawberry Acres Park, Springfield Township, Haskins, Lambertville, Maumee, Monclova, Ottawa Hills, Perrysburg, Sylvania, Toledo, Waterville, Whitehouse

  • Sylvania

    Sylvania Southwest, Mitchaw, Silica, Centennial, Sylvania West, Milton Oleander Park, Lourdes University, City Center, Sylvania South, Sylvania East, Downtown, Timberstone, Highland Meadows, North Sylvania, Holland, Ida, Lambertville, Monclova, Ottawa Hills, Ottawa Lake, Petersburg, Temperance

  • Rossford

    Eagle Point Colony, Downtown Rossford, Colony Estates, Indian Hills, Crossroads

  • Bowling Green

    Bowling Green West, Bowling Green Southwest, Bowling Green South, Bowling Green North, City Center, Bowling Green Southeast, Bowling Green State University, Westgate Homes, Asbury Hills, Meadowvale, Wintergarden Heights, Hull Prairie, Portage, Tontogany, Sugar Ridge, Scotch Ridge, Rudolph, Haskins, Weston, Jerry City, Pemberville, Grand Rapids - Tontogany, Haskins, Maumee, Neapolis, Perrysburg, Rudolph, Waterville, Weston, Whitehouse

  • Findlay

    West Independence, West Park, Findlay East, Findlay North, Findlay South, Findlay Southeast, Findlay West, City Center / The University of Findlay, Allen, Big Lick, Blanchard, Eagle, Jackson, Liberty, Marion, Southwest, Downtown Findlay, Emory Adams Park, Riverside Park, West Park, Van Buren, Arcadia, Houcktown, Benton Ridge, McComb, Bairdstown, Vanlue, West Independence, North Baltimore,  Arlington, Bloomdale - Cygnet, Carey, Fostoria, McComb, New Riegel, Rawson, West Millgrove, Wharton

  • Sandusky

    Bogart / Wilmer, Bay View / Crystal Rock, Venice, Sandusky Southeast, Pipe St / Rohde St, Sandusky East, Sandusky North, MacArthur Park, Cedar Point, Ranch Wood, Venice, Lincolnshire, Fairview Lanes, Southgate Acres, Wilmer, Mineyahta-on-the Bay, Columbus Park, Bogart, Piccola, Marblehead, Bay View, Lakeside, Castalia, Weyers, Sandusky South, Fairview Lanes, Castilia

  • Fremont

    Ballville, Wightmans Grove, Stony Prairie, Fremont East, Fremont South, City Center, Fremont Southeast, Clyde, Elmore, Green Springs, Helena, Lindsey, Oak Harbor, Old Fort, Port Clinton, Sandusky, Vickery

  • Defiance

    Evansport / Jewell, Ayersville, Arthur / Charloe, Defiance Southwest, Defiance West, Defiance College, City Center, Antwerp, Continental, Holgate, Ney, Oakwood - Grover Hill, Ridgeville Corners, Sherwood, Brunersburg, Ayersville, The Bend, Jewell, Junction, Standley, Rice, Florida, Evansport

  • Huron

    Bogart, Ceylon, Chaska Beach, Franklin Flats, Huron, Huron Township, Mitiwanga, North Palm Beach, Oberlin Beach, Ruggles Beach, Rye Beach, Shinrock

  • Lima

    Tiffin South, Swander/Heidelberg University, Tiffin West, Center, Tiffin Southwest, City Center/Tiffin University, Bascom, Melmore, Fort Seneca, Maple Grove, Mexico, New Riegel, Republic, Old Fort, Bettsville, Attica - Bloomville, Bucyrus, Fostoria, Sycamore



  • Fort Wayne

    Downtown Fort Wayne, North Anthony Area, Southwood Park, West Central, East Central, Waynedale, Aboite Township, Wayne Township, St. Joseph Township, New Haven, Leo-Cedarville, Huntertown, Grabill, Harlan, Woodburn, Bluffton, Markle, Churubusco, Monroeville, Southtown, Airport Area, Dupont Road Corridor, Northcrest, Parkview, Downtown Riverfront, St. Marys Corridor, West Swinney, South Calhoun, North Calhoun, Fort Wayne Heights, Old West End, South Anthony, North Anthony, West Anthony, East State Road 930 Corridor

  • Auburn

    Downtown Auburn, Union Township, DeKalb Industrial Park Area, East Auburn, West Auburn, Waterloo, Garrett, Butler, Ashley, Saint Joe, Spencerville, Corunna, Avilla, Noble Township, Auburn Heights, Town of Auburn Estates, South Auburn, North Auburn, DeKalb County Corridor, Auburn Residential Districts, Auburn Historic Downtown, East Union, West Union, Auburn Airport Area



  • Waterloo

    Downtown Waterloo, Richland Township, Grant Township, Smithfield Township, Harrison Township, East Waterloo, West Waterloo, Ashley, Kendallville, Auburn, Corunna, Cromwell, Avilla, Butler, Ligonier, Wolf Lake, Diamond Lake, Bear Lake, Waterloo Heights, North Waterloo, South Waterloo, Waterloo Industrial Park Area, Harrison Corners, Smithfield Corners, Grant Corners



  • Angola

    Downtown Angola, Trine University Area, Pleasant Township, Clear Lake, Crooked Lake, Hamilton, Orland, Fremont, Lake James, Pokagon, Steuben Township, Fremont Township, Jackson Township, Angola Heights, Salem, Jamestown, Fremont Lake Area, West Angola, East Angola, Angola Industrial Park, Angola Residential Districts, Angola Historic Downtown, Pokagon Lake Area, Hamilton Corners, Jamestown Corners



  • Kendallville

    Downtown Kendallville, North Kendallville, South Kendallville, East Kendallville, West Kendallville, Wayne Township, Allen Township, York Township, Rome City, Brimfield, Cromwell, Ligonier, Wolf Lake, Diamond Lake, Bear Lake, Lisbon, Cosperville, Avilla, Butler, Kendallville Heights, Kendallville Industrial Park Area, North Wayne, South Wayne, East York, West York, Kendallville Historic Downtown, Kendallville Residential Districts



  • Bluffton

    Downtown Bluffton, Harrison Township, Lancaster Township, Liberty Center, Union Township, Bluffton Heights, Main Street Area, Ossian, Markle, Zanesville, Beaverdam, Hoagland, Monroeville, Spencerville, Grant Township, Jefferson Township, Lafayette Township, Rockcreek Township, Bluffton Industrial Park Area, East Bluffton, West Bluffton, North Bluffton, South Bluffton, Downtown Historic District, Bluffton Residential Districts



  • Jackson

    Downtown Jackson, North Jackson, South Jackson, East Jackson, West Jackson, Jackson Heights, Old West Side, East Lansing Avenue Area, Jackson Historic Downtown, Jackson Industrial Park Area, Summit Township, Napoleon Township, Grass Lake Township, Concord Township, Blackman Charter Township, Brooklyn, Michigan Center, Spring Arbor, Vandercook Lake, Parma, Hanover, Tompkins, Jackson Riverfront Area, West Michigan Avenue Corridor, South West Avenue Corridor, North West Avenue Corridor, Jackson College Area, Rives Junction



  • Detroit

    Downtown Detroit, Midtown, Corktown, Greektown, New Center, Eastern Market, Woodbridge, North End, West Village, Indian Village, Palmer Woods, Bagley, Boston–Edison, University District, Rosedale Park, West Canfield, Woodlawn, Brightmoor, Brightmoor Village, Livernois–Fenkell, Southwest Detroit, Mexicantown, Delray, Riverfront, Belle Isle, Jefferson Chalmers, East English Village, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, Harper Woods, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Ferndale, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Redford Township, Oak Park, Warren (partial), Roseville, Lincoln Park, Ecorse, River Rouge, Flat Rock, Allen Park, Melvindale, Southwest Corridor, Midtown Cultural District, Corktown Historic District, Woodward Avenue Corridor, Michigan Avenue Corridor



  • Ann Arbor

    Downtown Ann Arbor, Old West Side, Kerrytown, Burns Park, South University, North Campus, West Side, West Park, Bryant Neighborhood, Stone School, Arbor Hills, Fuller, Skyline, Geddes, Northside, Old Fourth Ward, Water Hill, South Side, East Ann Arbor, West Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township, Scio Township, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, Dexter, Saline, Chelsea, Barton Hills, Dixboro, Whitmore Lake, Packard Estates, Lakewood, Foxfire, Greenhills, Forest Hills, Plymouth Road Corridor, Huron River Area, Gallup Park, Swift Run, Miller Road Corridor, Ann Arbor Hills, Stadium District, Burnt Hills, Waterworks Park Area, North Burns Park, South Burns Park, University of Michigan Campus Area, Westgate, Barton Pond Area, Barton Creek, North Maple, Old West Side Historic District, Lower Burns Park, Traver Creek Area, Oakbrook, Stonehedge, Barton Hills Country Club Area, Washtenaw County Surrounding Areas



  • Monroe

    Downtown Monroe, Frenchtown Township, Raisinville Township, La Salle, South Monroe, Petersburg, Erie, Ida, Carleton, Maybee, Dundee, Newport, Luna Pier, Ash Township, Summerfield, West Monroe, Monroe Heights, Monroe Industrial Park Area, East Monroe, West Monroe, North Monroe, South Monroe, Downtown Historic District, Frenchtown Corners, Raisinville Corners, Old Village District



  • Adrian

    Downtown Adrian, East Adrian, West Adrian, North Adrian, South Adrian, Adrian Heights, Oldtown District, Downtown Historic District, Adrian Industrial Park Area, Madison Township, Adrian Township, Deerfield Township, Rollin Township, Lenawee County Corridor, Tecumseh, Blissfield, Morenci, Clayton, Onsted, Manitou Beach–Devils Lake, Riga Township, Palmyra Township, Madison Corners, Adrian Riverfront Area



  • Irish Hills Region

    Brooklyn, Addison, Manchester, Hudson, Clinton, Napoleon, Cambridge Junction, Onsted, Rollin Township, Medina Township, Columbia Township, Cambridge Township, Somerset Township, Tipton, East Jackson, Deerfield, Palmyra Township, Ridgeway, Grass Lake, Somerset Center, Wolf Lake, Irish Hills Lake Areas, Devil’s Lake, Lake Columbia, Indian Lake, Sylvan Lake, Round Lake, Sandy Lake, Cedar Lake, East Irish Hills, West Irish Hills, North Irish Hills, South Irish Hills, Historic Route 12 Corridor

Tiny Greens. Big Conversation.

Tell us what you’re growing toward, and we’ll help bring the freshest microgreens from our farm to your table.

Form #1

100% Organic Grown. Non-GMO.

Locally Grown Microgreens.

We deliver nutrient-dense, farm-fresh microgreens straight to your kitchen table every week or month. Grown locally with love (and zero junk).