There are a few different and effective ways to disinfect seeds. The three most commonly recommended and effective treatments for sanitizing seeds are hydrogen peroxide, calcium hypochlorite or vinegar. The best method for you to use will often depend on the planned end use of your seeds. It is important to note that no method results in complete exclusion of pathogens but all will reduce them significantly. This is because seed coats are rough at the microscopic level and the little nooks and crannies can hide bacteria or fungal spores. It is your responsibility to ensure th ..read more

The ideal growing medium for microgreens can be different depending on the growing style that you plan to be using. Growers will often use soil, coco coir, hemp mats, soilless mixes, peat moss or some mix of these. The best medium for growing microgreens is one that allows proper drainage, is sterile (meaning it contains no seeds) and holds moisture efficiently.  It can also depend on your purpose in growing microgreens, whether for personal use or for sale, the best growing medium for you will be influenced by your end goals. Every grower develops their own “best growing medium” recipe ..read more

Watering Microgreens Microgreens can be watered in several different ways, by way of top watering, bottom watering, and in an automated flood and drain system. The type of method you will use will depend on what stage of growth your microgreens are in and the growing requirements of the microgreen variety. The top watering method of microgreens is best suited for just prior to and after planting, right before your tray has reached the germination stage. Growers use a hose or water spray bottle with a fine mist setting to accomplish this. Watering from the bottom is the best way ..read more

Microgreen Grow Lights Setup Microgreens are a great crop for anyone to grow because they are very flexible with their requirements,  including lighting. Because microgreens do well using a variety of light sources, it's easy for the home grower to start where they are and still produce delicious microgreens. To grow microgreens, you can get by with a few trays by a sunny southern window or go all the way to a full vertical rack system with high-powered LEDs and commercial production. In order to recommend the right lights for your microgreens grow setup, there are a lot of factors to tak ..read more

Which tray should you use? Learn about all of the Bootstrap Farmer trays in this guide. Find out which trays are best for your purposes. Propagation trays can be used to grow microgreens, propagate seedlings in soil blocks, or grow fodder for poultry. Not sure what size or type of tray will work best for you? Read below to learn about the different propagation trays we carry and get recommendations on how to use them. DO I NEED TRAYS WITH HOLES AND WITHOUT HOLES TO GROW MICROGREENS AND SOIL BLOCKS? The short answer is yes, you will need both kinds of trays to grow micr ..read more

The Ultimate Microgreen Cheat Sheet Microgreens are an ever-growing trend in home gardening, urban farming, and for chefs around the country. People worldwide have been drawn to microgreens for their beauty, flavor, and health benefits. Microgreen seeds can be ordered online or found locally and planted using various growing media. Different types of microgreens need different care, and finding accurate information in one place can be confusing. We are frequently asked for a comprehensive resource for growing microgreens, but the information was scattered and lacked critical pieces of informat ..read more

The Enneagram is a typology personality test that identifies how people react to the world, manage their feelings and basic fears, and interprets patterns based on nurtured traits. The test breaks the personalities down into nine different types. You will likely find you relate to several of the nine personality types- but one should stand out the most as your primary type. Based on the Enneagram, we have compiled a quiz to determine which Bootstrap Farmer microgreen tray color suits your personality type best. We have even included suggested microgreen varieties based on your results. Ready ..read more

Growing the Best Microgreens at Home Microgreens are an easy-to-grow crop with a quick turnaround. Microgreens require only a small investment to get started with growing, making them the perfect choice for the new grower. Although they are tiny, their nutritional value can be HUGE.*  You will find a wide range of flavors among them. You can use them in salads, soups, drinks, smoothies, sandwiches, and garnishes. The unique flavors of some varieties kick up any dish, and their vibrant colors are pleasing to the eye. Others have pleasantly mild flavors that blend well into a ..read more

Microgreens 101 Growing microgreens is easier than you might think! They sound fancy and are used by top chefs around the country, but really it's just growing a bunch of tiny plants all at once. There are definitely pitfalls to avoid and a process to follow to get it right with the least amount of grower's heartache. Whether you are an experienced gardener or a first-time grower, you can absolutely grow successful microgreens at home, either for yourself and your family or as a startup business. What do you need to grow microgreens at home? To grow microgreens at home, you need some basic mat ..read more

This sweet and savory melted havarti sandwich with microgreens & apricot preserves is a tasty and healthy meal that can be served hot or cold.  It’s the PERFECT sandwich for spring or summer!  Pack this sandwich to your next picnic to enjoy a dish packed full of bright and fresh flavors. Keep reading to learn how to make this sandwich ahead of time for grab-and-go meals, discover substitutions to keep the flavors exciting and find resources for growing microgreens at home.   Why this is the perfect microgreens sandwich Sometimes a sandwich is more about the fixin’s than the ..read more