Microgreens, tiny vegetable or herb greens harvested just a few weeks after planting, have generated considerable attention in the recent years, both for their nutritional benefits and for being a profitable crop. They are growing in popularity among health-conscious consumers looking to add more nutrition to their diets, chefs desiring the enhanced flavor and elegance they bring to their dishes and amongst individuals who want to farm them at home. Hence, it is not surprising to witness a surge in interest around Microgreen starter kits.
Whether you’re a veteran small scale farmer or an absolute novice, these kits are ideal for beginners due to their convenience and accessibility. They consist of everything needed to grow your own greens, from seeds to grow trays, instructions, and even lighting in some cases. The following are some of the most affordable starter kits for aspiring Microgreen farmers.
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Urban Farming Organic NonGMO Microgreens Starter Kit:
This basic starter kit, priced around $20, is perfect for beginners. The kit includes five varieties of organic, non-GMO seeds, one reusable growing tray, a pack of expansion soil pellets, and easy-to-follow instructions. The seeds included are broccoli, radish, alfalfa, mung bean, and mustard; each providing a different flavor and nutritional profile to experiment with.
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Back to the Roots Water Garden and Microgreens Grow Kit:
Priced at approximately $70, this kit doubles up as a small-scale aquaponics system. It includes a tank for fish that generates natural fertilizer for the plants. The kit consists of a three-gallon fish tank, organic microgreen seeds, grow stones, fish food, and a water pump. It also comes with organic wheatgrass and radish sprout seeds. This kit allows a beginner to learn and experiment with the aquaponic system, a sustainable method of farming.
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Hamama Microgreens Starter Kit:
Hamama starter kit, priced around $35, is a user-friendly option for beginners. This kit includes reusable grow trays and ‘Seed Quilts’, essentially seed mats that simplify the planting process. You simply need to add water to the tray, place the Seed Quilt, and watch your microgreens grow. The kit comes with three Seed Quilts featuring different types of microgreens.
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Window Garden Pop-Up Microgreens Kit:
Priced just under $20, this straightforward system comes with a pop-up bag that serves as the growing container, fiber soil, and organic microgreen seeds. It is available in different varieties of seeds including radish, sunflower, and pea shoots. Its compact size makes it an excellent option for someone with limited space.
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Sproutman Soil-Free Wheatgrass Grower Starter Kit:
If you are particularly interested in wheatgrass, this starter kit from Sproutman is an excellent option. Priced around $100, it includes three levels of sprouting trays, 1lb of organic wheatgrass seeds, and a sprout bag. Although slightly pricier, the multilevel sprouting trays in this kit allow continuous growth, meaning you could have a fresh batch of microgreens every week.
When selecting a starter kit, the aspiring microgreen farmer should consider factors such as the types of microgreens they want to grow, the time they can dedicate to tending their crops, their budget, and the space they have available for farming. If you plan to sell your microgreens, you should also consider the popularity of certain types of microgreens in your local area.
Growth media or substrate, lighting, and watering technique are other important considerations. Some kits may include soil or soil-alternative substrates, while others may use growing mats or even hydroponic systems. For indoor growth, kits may come with fluorescent or LED lights. As for watering, some microgreen kits are designed for overhead watering, while others may be set up for bottom watering.
By starting with an affordable microgreen starter kit, beginners can learn about the growth process, understand the needs of different types of microgreens, and eventually expand their microgreen farming operation as their expertise grows.
