Growing microgreens can be an exciting and rewarding venture. These tiny edible greens pack a punch of nutrients and taste, becoming increasingly popular for salad mix recipes, gourmet dishes, and healthy smoothies. However, choosing the right containers is essential for their successful growth. This article will focus on the best available container types for microgreen farming.
1. Bootstrap Farmer Microgreen Tray
Bootstrap Farmer Trays are among the most preferred containers for growing microgreens. Their material provides superior durability, and they can withstand intense planting, care, and harvesting processes without cracking or bending. They come in 10×20 inches size, making them ideal for a standard home setup. They come with no drainage holes, apt for most microgreen varieties as they require little watering. However, they also have versions with holes to suit different planting needs.
2. KORAM Plant Starting Tray
The KORAM Plant Starting Tray is perfect for those starting with microgreen farming due to its design simplicity. The tray package comes with 10 trays, 10 humidity domes, and 10 plant tags. Each tray has 12 cells which are deep enough to encourage strong root development, allowing the microgreens to grow lush and healthy. The clear plastic dome helps maintain humidity during sprouting, creating a green-house effect for the fledgling greens.
3. True Leaf Microgreen Trays
True Leaf Microgreens offer 5×5 inch trays suited for smaller-scale operations or home growers with limited space. This pack includes 40 trays, enough for growing different microgreen varieties at once. They are slim and lightweight, made of food-safe polypropylene plastic that is dishwasher friendly. Unfortunately, they don’t come with drainage holes, but they’re shallow enough to prevent water-logging.
4. Urban Farming Co. Bamboo Fiber Trays
More eco-conscious microgreen growers may gravitate towards the Urban Farming Co.’s bamboo fiber trays. Made of sustainable bamboo and rice fibers, these trays are 100% biodegradable once their lifespan is over. The trays come with a natural bamboo lid that doubles as a drip tray. The bacteria-resistant bamboo ensures safe cultivation while giving an aesthetically pleasing touch to your kitchen counter or windowsill.
5. 5-Star North Spunbound Fabric Growing Bags
Growing bags are another excellent option for cultivating microgreens. The 5-Star North Spunbound Fabric Growing Bags stand out for their breathability, contributing to healthy root aeration and moisture control. They come in a variety of sizes, catering to different microgreen growers’ needs. The fabric is also UV-stabilized, ensuring it can endure sunlight without deteriorating.
6. Garland Full-Size Seed Trays
The Garland Full-Size Seed Tray is built especially for novice microgreen farmers. They come with no drainage holes, are super lightweight, and have a great depth for growing most microgreen varieties. These trays are a cost-effective solution, allowing growers to produce a significant quantity of microgreens meet their needs.
7. MiGardener PVC Planting Flats
These flat trays by Migardener are excellent for growing mostly all varieties of microgreens. They offer ample surface area for even distribution of seeds. Made with PVC, they are not only hard-wearing and long-lasting, but they’re also leak-proof.
8. Hydrofarm Jumpstart Windowsill Heat Mat and Tray Kit
The Hydrofarm Windowsill Heat Mat and Tray Kit is a great solution for those seeking to optimize growth in cooler environments. The heat mat provides consistent warmth to aid germination, while the compartmentalized tray allows for an assortment of seeds to be grown simultaneously. However, this kit may be more expensive than other options.
9. GreenEase Seed Starter Pads
For simplicity and ease, GreenEase Seed Starter Pads are the way to go. Compatible with any container types, these organic coco fiber pads streamline the planting process – just place the pad, sow the seeds, and watch the microgreens grow.
10. Chef’n Microgreen Garden Grower
The Chef’n Microgreen Garden Grower is sleek, modern, and perfect for small indoor setups. It features a high-performance irrigation system, a sunlight-harnessing lid, and felt grow pads. This aesthetically pleasing microgreen setup is an ideal option for kitchen-top growers who love style and elegance infused with functionality.
When choosing a container for growing microgreens, consider the size of your growing space, your budget, and what types of microgreens you plan to grow. The material should be durable and safe for food production. Lastly, note that shallow containers work best as microgreens require minimal soil depth. Make your selection to best suit your specific conditions and enjoy your microgreen cultivation journey.
