How to Start a Microgreens Business (What Most Creators Don't Tell You)
- Sid Kiser
- Mar 11
- 4 min read
Starting a microgreens business has exploded in popularity over the last few years. If you’ve watched YouTube videos or read blogs about it, you’ve probably seen the same points repeated over and over:
• “Microgreens grow fast”
• “You can grow them indoors”
• “You can start with very little space”
And all of that is true.
But here’s the reality most creators don’t fully explain.
Running a successful microgreens business requires two equally important skills:
1. Growing high-quality microgreens consistently
2. Understanding your market and how to sell them
The growing process absolutely matters... consistency, cleanliness, watering techniques, and harvest timing all determine your quality and shelf life.
But what most people underestimate is that research and marketing determine whether your trays actually sell.
You can grow perfect microgreens, but if you don’t understand your market, you’ll struggle to move product.
The best growers learn both sides of the business.
Let’s walk through how to start the right way.
Step 1: Research Your Market First
Before planting your first tray, figure out who you want to sell to.
Some common microgreens markets include:
Restaurants
Restaurants are one of the most common buyers.
Chefs love microgreens for:
• garnish
• flavor
• texture
• presentation
A good trick is to look at local restaurant menus online. If you see dishes garnished with microgreens, they’re already a potential customer.
CSA Programs
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.
Many farms offer weekly produce boxes to their members.
Some farms don’t grow microgreens themselves but would happily include them in their boxes if they had a reliable supplier.
This can create consistent weekly orders.
Grocery Stores & Co-ops
Local grocery stores and natural food co-ops often prefer locally grown products.
Selling to grocery stores usually requires:
• labeled packaging
• consistent supply
• reliable delivery
But it can lead to steady long-term customers.
Gyms, Juice Bars & Health Stores
Microgreens are extremely nutrient dense, which makes them appealing to health-focused businesses like:
• smoothie bars
• juice shops
• gyms
• wellness stores
Broccoli microgreens are especially popular because they’re associated with high nutritional value.
Don’t Be Afraid to Test Different Markets
You may not know which market works best until you try a few.
Some growers succeed selling mainly to restaurants.
Others focus on farmers markets or grocery stores.
Your goal is to find the niche that works best in your area.
Step 2: Start With Beginner Friendly Microgreens
When you’re starting out, keep things simple.
Some microgreens are much easier and more forgiving than others.
I recommend starting with three reliable staples.
Broccoli Microgreens
Broccoli microgreens are one of the easiest varieties to grow and are extremely popular for their nutritional benefits.
They grow quickly and consistently, making them a great beginner crop.
Pea Shoots
Pea shoots produce large yields and have a mild sweet flavor that works well in:
• salads
• sandwiches
• stir-fries
Restaurants especially love them.
Sunflower Microgreens
Sunflower microgreens are crunchy, hearty, and filling.
They’re slightly larger than most microgreens and often appeal to both chefs and home consumers.
Expand Later
Once you have a reliable system, you can experiment with more delicate varieties like:
• micro basil
• micro cilantro
• micro herbs
These can be more labor intensive but often command higher prices.
Step 3: Understand the Growing Process
Growing microgreens is simple, but consistency matters.
A typical microgreens cycle looks like this:
1. Seed trays evenly
2. Germinate in darkness for a few days
3. Introduce light once sprouted
4. Bottom water to prevent mold
5. Harvest when cotyledons are fully open
Most varieties are ready to harvest within 7–14 days, depending on the crop and growing conditions.
Harvesting at the right time matters for:
• flavor
• texture
• shelf life
Microgreens are usually cut when the first leaves (called cotyledons) are fully open and true leaves are just beginning to form.
Step 4: Beginner Equipment (Budget Friendly Setup)
You don’t need thousands of dollars to get started.
A simple rack setup can produce a surprising amount of microgreens.
Grow Trays
You’ll want two trays per crop:
• one tray with holes
• one tray without holes
This allows for bottom watering, which helps prevent mold.
Recommended trays:
Grow Lights
Many growers use 4-foot lights, but honestly 2-foot grow lights work perfectly well and are easier to work with on small racks.
Recommended lights:
Growing Rack
A vertical shelving rack allows you to grow multiple trays in a small space.
Recommended rack:
Fans (Very Important)
Airflow helps prevent mold and strengthens stems.
You’ll want:
• a couple clip-on fans on your rack
• one box fan for room circulation
Clip fan:
Box fan:
Example Budget Setup
Here’s an example beginner setup cost:
Item Approx Cost
Rack | $70 |
Grow Lights | $50 |
Heavy Duty Trays | $25 |
Clip Fans (2) | $20 |
Box Fan | $25 |
Estimated startup cost
$190 – $210
This setup can grow 10–20 trays per cycle, which is enough to start testing your market.
Step 5: Consistency Is Everything
Once you begin selling, consistency becomes critical.
Your customers expect:
• the same quality
• the same flavor
• reliable delivery
Most microgreens grow quickly, often reaching harvest in about 7–14 days, which makes them ideal for predictable production cycles.
Keeping a simple grow schedule ensures you always have trays ready to harvest.
Final Thoughts
Starting a microgreens business can be one of the most accessible ways to start a small farm.
But success comes from combining good growing practices with smart market research.
If you focus on:
• understanding your customers
• growing reliable beginner varieties
• building a simple but consistent grow system
you can build a profitable microgreens business without massive startup costs.
And remember, the goal isn’t just to grow microgreens.
The goal is to grow microgreens people actually want to buy.
Free Guide: COMPLETE
If you’re new to growing microgreens, I created a simple beginner guide that walks through the easiest crops to start with.
Inside you’ll learn:
• the easiest microgreens for beginners
• how to avoid common mold problems
• how to harvest for best flavor and shelf life
👉 Download the free guide here
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