How to Grow Microgreens Indoors: Fresh Winter Greens in 10 Days

As the October chill sets in and outdoor vegetable beds are cleared for the winter, the craving for fresh, homegrown greens doesn’t have to end. If you want the absolute fastest, easiest way to grow nutrient-packed food indoors during the cold months, it is time to start growing microgreens.
Microgreens are simply traditional vegetable and herb seeds harvested at their first true-leaf stage. Despite their tiny size, they pack incredibly intense flavor and boast up to 40 times the concentrated nutrients of their mature counterparts. Best of all, they require very little space, no special equipment, and go from seed to harvest in as little as 10 to 14 days.
1. The Best Seeds for Indoor Microgreens
Not all seeds are created equal when it comes to microgreens. For the highest success rate and the most robust flavors, start with these top-performing varieties:

• Radish: The undisputed king of fast microgreens. Radish seeds germinate in just 24 to 48 hours and deliver a crisp, spicy kick perfect for sandwiches and tacos.
• Broccoli: A nutritional powerhouse with a mild, earthy flavor. Broccoli microgreens are incredibly easy to grow and boast high levels of sulforaphane.
• Pea Shoots: Grown from field pea seeds, these produce thick, crunchy stems and tendrils that taste exactly like fresh spring snow peas.
• Sunflower: A chef favorite. Sunflower shoots are thick, nutty, and highly satisfying, making them an excellent base for winter salads.
• Arugula: For a gourmet, peppery bite. Arugula microgreens grow quickly and instantly elevate pizzas, pastas, and soups.

2. Microgreen Seed Quick-Reference Guide

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Sowing and Harvesting
Step 1: Prepare the Trays and Soil
You don’t need deep pots for microgreens. Use shallow, clean plastic trays (1 to 2 inches deep) with drainage holes. Fill the tray with a high-quality, fine seed-starting mix or coconut coir. Lightly tamp the soil down so it is perfectly flat and even, then mist it heavily with water until damp but not soggy.
Step 2: Broadcast the Seeds Densely
Unlike outdoor gardening, microgreens are sown extremely close together. Scatter your seeds generously and evenly across the entire surface of the soil. The seeds should be nearly touching, forming a dense mat. Press them lightly into the surface, then mist them thoroughly.
Step 3: The “Blackout” Period
Seeds germinate best in the dark while under pressure, which mimics being buried in soil. Place an empty tray directly on top of your seeds and add a light weight (like a small book). Leave them in the dark for 3 to 4 days. This forces the seeds to root deeply into the soil rather than pushing themselves upward.
Step 4: Light and Water
Once the seeds have germinated and pushed the top tray up (usually around day 4), remove the cover. The sprouts will look pale yellow. Place the tray in a bright, sunny South-facing window or directly under an LED grow light. Within 24 hours, they will turn a vibrant, healthy green. Water them from the bottom by placing the tray in a shallow pool of water to avoid mold on the dense leaves.
Step 5: Harvest and Enjoy
When the microgreens are 2 to 3 inches tall and have developed their first set of open leaves, it’s harvest time. Simply take a pair of clean scissors and snip the stems just above the soil line. Rinse, dry, and eat immediately!
Keep Harvesting All Winter Long
By sowing a new tray every 5 to 7 days, you can create a continuous, rolling harvest of fresh greens right on your kitchen counter straight through to spring.
👉 Shop our High-Germination Microgreen Seeds at Urban Garden Seed to start your indoor harvest today!