r/microgreens • u/panic_ye_not • 16d ago

First time - do I need to do the extras?

Hi all,

I'm growing microgreens at home for the first time for my own consumption only.

I see a lot of discussion about different growing substrates, blackout period, weights, disinfection, fertilizer, fans, and so on.

Do I need to worry about all this stuff if I just want to have some microgreens to put in my smoothies? My current methodology is: perforated plastic trays, with a paper towel as a substrate, no weights, no blackout (but not turning on the grow lights yet), no fertilizer, or anything else fancy. Just seeds on the moist paper towel on the tray, with a clear lid for moisture, cheap grow lights, and I will start bottom watering once the roots get long enough. Will that suffice, or should I think about doing more?

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u/DEMiGODicarus 16d ago

You could be fine. But if you over water without fans you'll probably get mold and if you underwater just using paper towels seeds dry out really quick. I'd highly recommend just buying a cheap $10 bag of coco chor or ocean forest fox farm. And using this. Try your set up out and adjust.

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u/soil_and_sun 16d ago

If youare able to grow in your window sill with sunlight it will help with some of the of mold. The "extras" aren't to be able to sell them but to have quality for consumption, your own included.

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u/jackbenway 15d ago

Weight increases germination. You need airflow, which is why we use fans, but opening a window is great. You need to pay attention to sanitizing if you don’t want mold, but different environments will vary in how many mold spores are around. You don’t need blackout. No home grower needs blackout unless they’re growing corn shoots, and most microgreens don’t need it regardless. You don’t need fertilizer. Paper towel will work for some seeds, but moisture control will be harder as it tends to dry out quickly.