How to Start an Indoor Microgreen Garden

If you want to add some greenery and fresh ingredients to your home, a microgreen garden is a great place to start. These tiny plants grow fast indoors with hardly any space or effort. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, it’s a simple, eco-friendly project with big benefits. Not only do they brighten up your space and improve indoor air quality, but they also give you free ingredients that can be added to virtually any dish. Ready to start? Here’s how to grow your own microgreens.

Gather Your Supplies

To get started, you just need a few basics. First, get your microgreen seeds. These can be purchased from plant nurseries or home improvement stores. Choose seeds that are suitable for growing inside. Some of the best types are broccoli, kale, beets, and arugula. 

Next, gather a few shallow trays or containers. You can buy seed starting trays or repurpose things you already have. Plastic berry containers and old takeout containers work perfectly and keep your project low waste. Just be sure they have drainage holes at the bottom so excess water isn’t trapped. Finally, choose your growing medium. Coconut coir and peat-based potting mixes are typically ideal for microgreens. 

Plant Your Seeds 

Now that you have your supplies, it’s time to plant your microgreens. Put your growing medium inside your containers and lightly water it. It should be damp like a sponge, but not soggy. Spread the seeds out evenly, covering the majority of the soil. Microgreens grow best when they’re densely packed, but avoid overcrowding. Generously spray them with water and cover them with a tray. This keeps them in the dark so they can germinate without drying out. 

Let Them Grow 

While your microgreens are developing, mist them with water about 1-2 times each day to keep them moist. The growing period can vary from a few days to a few weeks, so keep an eye on how they’re coming along. As soon as you see sprouts forming, uncover the plants and set them in a sunny area. A windowsill works perfectly, but ensure it receives enough sunlight to facilitate their growth—microgreens need around 6-8 hours of light per day. If you don’t have a sunny enough spot, you can also use a grow light. 

Harvest Your Crop

Once your microgreens are a few inches tall and have developed their first set of true leaves, you can harvest them. Use a clean pair of kitchen scissors or a sharp knife to snip them just above the soil line. Avoid pulling them out by the roots to keep things neat and avoid dirt in your harvest. Rinse them, gently pat them dry, and they’re ready to use in salads, sandwiches, or anything else you’re cooking. For optimal freshness and flavor, harvest right before eating.

Keep It Sustainable

One of the best perks of growing microgreens is how little garden waste they create compared to traditional gardening methods. But over time, things like seed packets, used soil, and plant trimmings can still add up. Composting is ideal, but if that’s not an option, or if you’re clearing out old trays and supplies, look for local providers that offer sustainable waste removal solutions. It’s an easy way to keep your project low-waste and eco-friendly.

Conclusion

Starting a microgreen garden is a simple way to bring life into your home without taking on a big commitment. It doesn’t take much space or money, and you’ll end up with something that’s both useful and rewarding. Whether you’re in it for the fresh ingredients or just want to try something new, it’s a low-effort project with high payoff.