Best Microgreens Supplies for Beginners (Complete Indoor Growing Setup Guide)
- Sid Kiser
- May 19
- 4 min read
If you’re searching for the best microgreens supplies for beginners, you’re likely trying to figure out how to start growing fresh greens at home without wasting money on the wrong setup.
The good news is this: growing microgreens indoors is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to start producing your own food year-round.
You don’t need a farm. You don’t need expensive equipment. And you don’t need gardening experience.
But you do need the right basic supplies to get consistent, healthy growth.
This guide breaks down exactly what you actually need and what you can skip when starting your indoor microgreens setup.
Why the Right Microgreens Setup Matters
Microgreens grow fast (usually 7–14 days), but they are sensitive to:
water levels
airflow
light exposure
seed density
growing medium quality
Using the wrong supplies can lead to:
mold issues
weak stems (leggy growth)
poor germination
inconsistent harvests
Using the right setup makes growing almost effortless once you get started.
1. Microgreens Growing Trays (MOST IMPORTANT SUPPLY)
The foundation of your entire setup is your growing tray.
The standard size used by most growers is:
10 x 20 inch trays
What to look for:
Food-grade plastic
Durable (thicker plastic lasts longer)
Option for drainage holes
Matching solid tray for bottom watering
Why it matters:
Trays control:
root development
moisture levels
airflow
harvest yield consistency
👉 Beginner tip: Always use a 2-tray system (one with holes inside one without). This improves watering control and reduces mold risk.
Recommended beginner trays:
10" x 20" Tray without Holes [https://amzn.to/4eFVNi5]
10" x 20" Trays with Holes [https://amzn.to/4tBJN4S]
(As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)
2. Growing Medium (COCO COIR BASED IS THE BEST FOR BEGINNERS)
Your growing medium is what your seeds sit in and root through.
Best options:
⭐ Coco Coir (Top Beginner Choice)
clean
holds moisture well
low risk of mold
easy to use indoors
Other options:
seed-starting soil
hemp grow mats
jute or fiber mats
Why coco coir is most recommended:
more consistent moisture control
less mess indoors
beginner-friendly
widely used in microgreen systems
👉 Beginner recommendation: Start with coco coir based soils before experimenting with other mediums.
Recommended beginner soil:
FoxFarm Bush Doctor Coco Loco 2 cu ft (Single Pack) [https://amzn.to/4uOV6rB]
FoxFarm Bush Doctor Coco Loco 2 cu ft (Pack of 4) [https://amzn.to/3R74W9A]
3. Microgreens Seeds (QUALITY MATTERS MORE THAN ANYTHING)
Seeds determine:
growth speed
flavor
yield
consistency
Best beginner microgreens seeds:
Radish (fast + spicy)
Sunflower (high yield + hearty)
Broccoli (nutrient dense)
Pea shoots (sweet + forgiving)
What to look for:
untreated seeds
non-GMO or organic when possible
labeled for sprouting or microgreens
👉 Avoid garden seeds treated with chemicals, they are not safe for microgreens production.
Recommended Beginner Seed Pack:
12 Variety Pack Microgreens Seed Kit [https://amzn.to/4uPkRIg]
4. LED Grow Lights (INDOOR GROWING ESSENTIAL)
If you are growing indoors without strong natural sunlight, grow lights are essential.
What to look for:
full-spectrum LED lights
5000K–6500K daylight spectrum
adjustable shelving compatibility
timer function (very helpful)
Why they matter:
Microgreens become weak and leggy without proper light.
Ideal lighting schedule:
12–16 hours per day
👉 Beginner setup tip: A simple shelving rack with LED shop lights is enough to run a small business-level setup.
Recommended Beginner Seed Pack:
Barrina T5 Grow Lights, Full Spectrum [https://amzn.to/4fj5Qty]
5. Watering Tools (SMALL BUT IMPORTANT)
Microgreens need consistent but gentle moisture.
Best tools:
spray bottle (fine mist)
small watering can (optional)
bottom watering tray system
Why it matters:
Overwatering is one of the most common beginner mistakes and can lead to mold issues.
👉 Best practice: light misting or bottom watering instead of pouring water directly on top.
Recommended Bottle:
DONSTRAW Wash Bottle (Pack of 2) [https://amzn.to/4dl1gIz]
6. Shelving Rack (FOR SCALING OR ORGANIZATION)
A shelving rack is optional at first, but becomes important quickly if you want to grow consistently.
Benefits:
stack multiple trays vertically
maximize small spaces
organize growth cycles
scale production easily
👉 Many small microgreens businesses start with just 1–2 racks.
Recommended Grow Rack:
CX Black & Yellow, 5 Tier Heavy Duty Plastic Storage Shelves [https://amzn.to/3P3KZzX]
7. Optional But Helpful Supplies
These aren’t required, but they improve results:
humidity dome (for germination) 👉 https://amzn.to/4wKk2SX
sharp scissors (for harvesting cleanly) 👉 https://amzn.to/4fpGavg
blackout tray or weight (for early growth phase) 👉 https://amzn.to/4wsZKgr
mild hydrogen peroxide solution (helps reduce mold risk)👉 https://amzn.to/4u4wdYJ
Final Thoughts: Start Small, Then Scale
Microgreens are one of the easiest ways to begin indoor food production.
You don’t need a perfect setup.
You don’t need expensive equipment.
You just need a few basic supplies and consistency.
Once you understand the basics, you can scale from:
1 tray → 5 trays → full shelving system
And potentially even turn it into a local business or side income stream.
Ready to Go Further?
If you want to go beyond just growing for yourself, I break down the full process from setup to selling, inside my ebook From Seeds to Sales: A Beginner's Guide to Growing & Selling Microgreens.
And if you’re looking for fresh, locally grown microgreens in the Rochester, NY area, visit Sunshine Daygreens.
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