Where to Buy Microgreens

Types of Microgreens

The world of microgreens might seem challenging to navigate at first. Hundreds of these micro herbs and vegetables exist, as you can grow them from essentially any herb, flower, or vegetable seed. Common types of microgreens include:

• Amaranth.
• Arugula.
• Basil.
• Beets.
• Broccoli.
• Cabbage.
• Celery.
• Chervil.
• Cilantro.
• Cress.
• Dill.
• Fennel.
• Garlic chive.
• Leeks.
• Lettuce.
• Kale.
• Mustards.
• Pea shoots.
• Radishes.
• Sorrel.
• Sunflower.

Choose which types to put in your garden depending on the flavor profiles you desire. Some are peppery and spicy, others are sweet and nutty, while others still are bitter, earthy, or herby.

Where Can I Buy Microgreens

You can purchase and grow microgreens of a single variety or as premade mixes that contain several types of crops. Many companies sell microgreen seed packets and kits, but it’s important to buy from a reputable vendor to get a fair price, a good variety of seeds, and a top-tier product. When trying to figure out where to buy microgreens, consider the following credible and quality online sellers:

• High Mowing Organic Seeds: This Vermont-based company sells more than 600 types of seeds sourced from a community of organic farmers. Its best-selling microgreens include red lace mustard, broccoli, purple sango radish, red Russian kale, arugula, purple kohlrabi, pac choy, and more. High Mowing also offers a selection of unique microgreen mixes, from mild to spicy flavor profiles.
• Johnny’s Selected Seeds: Johnny’s has been farming organically for more than 45 years and offers hundreds of certified-organic and non-GMO seeds and mixes. For those just getting started growing microgreens, Johnny’s recommends its garnet giant mustard, red stem radish, dark opal basil, cressida cress, and monogerm cilantro varieties. You can also try premixed seed blends such as spicy, mild, radish, and beets and chard mixes.
• Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds: This Canadian company has been selling organic, non-GMO seeds for more than 30 years. Its selection is extensive, and you can choose from several package sizes, ranging from 1 ounce to 11 pounds. Popular seed choices include tangy arugula, rich basil, colorful baby beets, fresh daikon radish, and easy-growing kale. Mumm’s microgreen mixes include mellow, salad, and spicy groupings. 
• Quantum Microgreens: Quantum produces all-natural, non-GMO seeds and microgreens grown in coconut coir. Its top microgreen varieties include radish, pea shoots, arugula, broccoli, and a wellness medley blend. You can find several types of Grow Your Own kits containing seeds, a growing tray, a lid, and a mister that make growing microgreens easy. Quantum also sets up shop at four San Diego-area farmers markets each month.
• Sprout Master: This health product company out of Canada sells more than 60 types of certified-organic seeds and beans. It offers microgreen seed types such as speckled sugar cranberry beans, pink beet, carrot, cauliflower, endive, and red kohlrabi and is known for its super-fast shipping.
• True Leaf Market: Since 1974, True Leaf has catered to recreational and professional growers alike. The company has a massive selection of microgreen seeds, many of which are organic and non-GMO. Varieties include black oil sunflower, rambo radish, speckled pea, red garnet amaranth, and many more. True Leaf also sells premixes such as your basic salad mix and assortments such as colorful, exotic, and basic microgreens.
• West Coast Seeds: A British Columbia-based West Coast Seeds prides itself on offering more than 1,000 organic and non-GMO seed types to home gardeners. Its selection of microgreen seeds includes basil, beet, fenugreek, Swiss chard, mustard, kale, sunflower, and more. West Coast Seeds also sells blends guaranteed to be ready to harvest within either two or three weeks. One of its highly touted seed varieties is the tasty, carrot-flavored sunflower microgreen.

These are just a few of the companies that sell microgreens. Do your research before buying, and find a producer that sells the types of micro herbs and vegetables you’re looking for. Just make sure you buy enough seeds to get a good harvest. You’ll need a lot of microgreen seeds to create a densely packed planting and encourage healthy shoot growth.

How to Grow Microgreens

Once you’ve determined where to buy microgreens, it’s time to get them in your growing medium. Microgreens are easy crops to plant any time of year, even right from your kitchen counter, and are often ready to eat just one week after planting. Follow these steps for easy growing:

1. If you have large seeds such as peas or sunflowers, soak them in warm water overnight to hasten germination.
2. Trays are easy containers to grow from. Line the bottom with a moist paper towel or cloth, and fill the tray three-quarters full (about 1 inch deep) of damp growing medium such as coco coir. 
3. Sprinkle a generous amount of seeds, and lightly press them into the growing medium.
4. Water the seeds lightly with a mister or spray bottle. If needed, mist them daily as the key is not to let them dry out.
5. Cover the tray with a bag or lid with holes to create a humid growing environment.
6. When the seedlings grow to 1 to 3 inches in height, it’s time to harvest them. Use scissors to clip the stems just above soil level.

Some microgreens are easier and faster to grow than others. The website and packaging of the seeds you buy should provide growing directions for that particular variety or blend.

You can also grow microgreens hydroponically using coco coir blocks, mats, liners, and sheets. This medium is reusable, resistant to fungus and bacteria, and easy to work with. Many coir mats come ready-made for use in microgreen trays.

Now that you know where to buy microgreens, types of seeds, and how to plant them, you can enjoy these tender and nutritious stems and leaves throughout the year.