Growing Food in Apartments: How To Grow Micro Greens:

It's easy to do and loaded with nutrition and vitality

This is a guest post from Ruth Reyes of The Grow Network. Like Ruth, people have been asking me for solutions for those living in apartments and condos. Yes! you can do a lot. This is the first of many posts I’ll be bringing you.

When I asked the community if they would be interested in learning more about microgreens, the answer was a resounding YES!

Not only is it perfect for small spaces, microgreens are jam-packed with nutrition, and they taste great!

I have created an in-depth 4-part blog series on growing, storing, harvesting, and troubleshooting microgreens (links below.)

Full Blog Post Series:
https://thegrownetwork.com/microgreens-for-beginners/
https://thegrownetwork.com/harvesting-and-storing-microgreens/
https://thegrownetwork.com/troubleshooting-common-microgreen-growing-problems/
https://thegrownetwork.com/microgreens-varieties/

For those of you who prefer TLDR (too long; didn't read), here is a quick summary of the articles:

Microgreens are nutrient-dense, fast-growing greens that can be cultivated indoors with minimal space and effort.

Microgreens are young vegetable greens harvested just after the first true leaves develop.

They offer intense flavors and higher concentrations of vitamins and antioxidants compared to their mature counterparts.

They are ideal for small spaces and can be grown year-round on windowsills or countertops with minimal effort.

Basic Setup:

• Containers: Shallow trays with drainage holes (I like to stack this tray with holes on this tray with no holes)

• Growing Medium: (You can use a standard OMNI Certified Seed Starting Mix like this one, Expanding Coconut Coir, or a Growing Mat like this one. I prefer growing in soil. But it's just a personal preference)

• Light: A sunny, south-facing windowsill or an inexpensive grow light, like this one, will work just fine.)

• Seeds: I'd recommend choosing something you know you like the full-grown version of and starting there. ( You can also purchase a starter collection like this fun colorful assortment or the Basic Dozen). The first time I grew Microgreens, I started with the Basic Dozen to get a taste of a variety of microgreens. The packages are large and the seeds go a long way.

You could also invest in a complete starter kit like this one.

Step-by-step:

• Fill trays with moist growing medium and moisten. Evenly scatter seeds and gently press them into the surface

• Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and place in a dark area to maintain humidity until germination

• Once sprouted, remove the cover and provide ample light

• Water as needed to keep the medium moist but not soggy (bottom watering is preferred, hence the double tray system recommended above)

• Harvest, enjoy, and start again!

Top 5 Microgreens for Beginners

If you're not sure what seeds to buy, start with these five easy-to-grow varieties:

• Radish Spicy flavor; ready for harvest in 6–10 days

• Broccoli Mild taste; rich in vitamins C, K, and E; ready for harvest in 8–12 days

• Sunflower Nutty flavor; crunchy texture; ready for harvest in 12–14 days

• Pea Shoots Sweet taste; ready for harvest in 10–14 days

• Mustard Zesty kick; ready for harvest in 6–10 days

These varieties are forgiving and provide quick, flavorful results.

✂️ Harvesting & Storing Tips

When to Harvest Microgreens: Harvest when microgreens are 1–3 inches tall and have developed their first true leaves. This stage offers peak flavor and nutrition.

How to Harvest:

• Use clean scissors to cut just above the soil line

• Avoid cutting into the soil to prevent contamination

• Harvest when the greens are stored in the refrigerator to extend shelf life

• Compost or discard growing medium. Clean trays and start again!

Storage:

• Gently pat dry if needed and place in an airtight container lined with a paper towel

• Store in the refrigerator at 35–40°F

• Consume within 5–7 days for optimal freshness

🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues

Mold or Fungus:
Cause: Excess moisture and poor air circulation
Solution: Ensure proper ventilation, water from the bottom, and remove humidity covers after germination

Leggy or Pale Microgreens:
Cause: Insufficient light
Solution: Provide adequate lighting immediately after germination; use grow lights if necessary

Overcrowding:
Cause: Dense seeding leads to poor airflow
Solution: Sow seeds evenly and avoid over-seeing

Read the detailed Blog Post Series:

https://thegrownetwork.com/microgreens-for-beginners/
https://thegrownetwork.com/harvesting-and-storing-microgreens/
https://thegrownetwork.com/troubleshooting-common-microgreen-growing-problems/
https://thegrownetwork.com/microgreens-varieties/

Feel free to put any additional questions you may have in the comments below!

Also, if you're interested in me filming the whole process, I'd be happy to do so.

Just let me know in the comments.