Microgreens are the easiest salad crop you can grow. They offer vast amounts of short, crunchy, leafy veggies in a matter of days, and they’re all rammed full of nutrients. Just as the name suggests, they are simply young herbs and vegetables, harvested before they develop in size, but not before they develop flavour.
Microgreens are easy to grow and can be completely cultivated indoors, making them ideal for keen gardeners with limited outdoor space. In this article, we will provide you with a complete buyer's guide to help you choose the best microgreens kits.
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Top Pick
Premium Choice
Best Value
Best Microgreens Kits in Australia
Product | Our Rating | Price | |
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1. Micropod Continuous Grow Kit | |||
2. Sydney Sprouts Microgreen Planter Box | |||
3. Urban Plant Growers Microgreen Grow Kit | |||
4. Sprout House Farms Microgreens Kit | |||
5. Urban Revolution Microgreens Grow Kit | |||
6. Australian Wheatgrass Dome Sprouter | |||
7. Lifecykel Microgreens Kit |
Microgreens Kits Australian Buyers' Guide
What are Microgreens kits?
Microgreens kits provide an easy and convenient way to grow your own microgreens at home. They typically come with everything you need to get started, with seeds, soil (usually coir or sponge), and a container included with most basic microgreens kits.
Microgreens kits come in all shapes and sizes, but with such a wide variety of veggies available for cropping in this way, I much prefer using several small kits than one big one. Because, simply put, the joy of microgreens is in variety.
What to Look for When Buying Microgreens kits
Before you head out to the shops and buy a microgreens kit, it is worth considering a few simple factors to make sure you get the best value for your money. Some more expensive microgreens kits are exceptionally well-built, and come with all sorts of bells and whistles.
However, for most Australian gardeners, the most basic kit will work on a windowsill without the grow lights, or water filters that come with more expensive kits. Microgreens kits are pretty simple, but they do come in different sizes, and in different materials. Consider the essential tips below to choose what’s right for you.
Quality
Quality is key to a good microgreens kit. The reason I started growing my own microgreens was mostly driven by the guilt I felt buying microgreens in single-use plastic bags, or virgin plastic tubs.
Growing your own at home means your food has no air miles and no waste. Choosing a microgreens kit that lasts, made from either recycled materials, or long-life materials is key to upping your game on household waste.
Size
Size really isn’t everything with microgreens kits. Big kits are great if you’ve got a big family and loads of indoor growing space, but for most of us (myself included) smaller kits are more convenient.
If you’ve got a small family, or even if you just want more variety in your diet, several small microgreens kits will make it easier to manage your setup, but one big one will make your life easier if you just want to stick to mixed herbs to pack flavour into salads.
How to Use a Microgreens Kit
Using a microgreens kit is relatively easy, and while buying something purpose-made will make your life easier, you can test out growing your own microgreens easily with the steps below.
When you move up a gear and buy a proper kit, you’ll have the basics and can tweak these instructions to suit your new setup.
- Fill the container with your growing medium (soil, coir or moist tissue will work for different greens).
- Sprinkle your seeds evenly over the growing medium.
- Lightly press the seeds into the growing medium.
- Water the seeds lightly so the soil is moist but not soaked.
- Place the container in a warm, bright area (I use a windowsill in the conservatory).
- Water your microgreens whenever the soil starts to dry out, but avoid overwatering.
- Harvest your microgreens after about 1 week, or two weeks for some slow-sprouting veggies.
Plants You Can Grow Using Microgreens kits
Microgreens kits usually come pre-supplied with a variety of seeds so you can get started quickly, but some of the most common plants that are easy to grow (and reward you with big flavour) are listed below.
Radish
Radish grows beautifully using a microgreens kit as it sprouts within a few days, making it one of the quickest plants to grow. It has a spicy flavour that is perfect for adding to salads and sandwiches.
Also,if you leave a few radishes to grow on, it will only take a couple more weeks to get fully fledged radishes from it!
Kale
Kale is a nutrient-rich plant that is especially fast to germinate, and has a much sweeter flavour when it's young than the powerful cabbagey punch it packs later in life.
Mustard
Mustard’s iconic heat is mellowed to a lightly spiced fragrance when harvested as microgreens, and works like a slightly punchier version of cress in sandwiches or salads. It grows quickly and is easy to care for, making it a clever plant for beginners who want to show off.
Peas
Peas are my absolute favourite plant to grow as microgreens, and if you’re hoping to turn your hobby into a business, pea shoots are probably the most profitable microgreen you can grow too.
If you’ve not tried them, then you’re in for a treat. They grow well from any packet of dried peas too, so it costs next to nothing to get started.
Sunflower
Sunflowers might be better known for their tall, upright, flower stems and iconic round blooms, but they are also a beautiful and nutritious plant when harvested young, adding a sweet crunch to any meal, and if you’re lucky enough to get a seed still attached to your shoot, you’ll get a beautifully nutty crunch too.
Microgreens Kit Reviews
1. Micropod Continuous Grow Kit
The Micropod Continuous Grow Kit is one of the best microgreens kits on the market. It’s a sleek and stylish kit that comes with everything you need to start growing your favourite plants at home.
Micropod’s kit comes with a reusable bamboo tray, seed mats (with seeds already placed), and a honeycomb lining for ventilation and easy watering.
Pros
Cons
2. Sydney Sprouts Microgreen Planter Box
Sydney Sprouts’ Microgreen Planter Box is a gorgeous microgreens kit, combining sustainability and functionality. Their kit comes with a ceramic seed container, and beautifully designed ceramic planter, as well as organic peas for pea shoots, and mixed salad topper seeds so you can make your first harvest in as little as a week.
Pros
Cons
3. Urban Plant Growers Microgreen Grow Kit
The Urban Plant Growers Microgreen Grow Kit comes with a stylish and modern design that would suit pretty much any kitchen. Like anything from Urban Plant Growers, the skit includes everything you need to get started and looks great at the same time.
They also offer a choice of seed varieties, with five different seed types to choose from. You can select your preferred seed type at checkout, making this kit a great option for anyone who wants more control over their microgreen selection.
Pros
Cons
4. Sprout House Farms Microgreens Kit
The Sprout House Farms Microgreens Starter Kit is another handy kit for anyone looking to grow their favourite plants at home. The well presented kit is easy to use and comes with detailed instructions, making it perfect for beginners.
The pots are single use, but fully compostable, and the rest of the packaging is recyclable. If you’re looking to delve deeper into microgreens, then try another kit that’s got a long life.
If, however, you're looking to try out microgreens, this is a simple kit that’s easy to use, well presented, and pretty much foolproof.
Pros
Cons
5. Urban Revolution Microgreens Grow Kit
The Urban Revolution Microgreens Grow Kit is, by far, the most attractive indoor herb planter, microgreen, or plant pot that I’ve ever come across. This sleek and attractive microgreen planter is as much a home accessory as it is a practical gardening tool, and it comes with soil, as well as a variety of seeds to choose from.
The Urban Revolution kit is easy to use and comes with detailed instructions, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned growers alike.
Pros
Cons
6. Australian Wheatgrass Dome Sprouter
The Australian Wheatgrass Dome Sprouter is a unique and easy-to-use kit that allows you to grow a variety of plants all at the same time. The Australian Wheatgrass kit comes with a unique ventilated dome-shaped sprouter, and a variety of seeds to choose from.
While it’s easy to use, and offers some space saving solutions, it’s a bold statement for your home decor thanks to its futuristic plastic dome that doesn’t exactly blend into the background.
7. Lifecykel Microgreens Kit
The Lifecykel Microgreens Kit is a decent kit for anyone looking to grow their favourite plants on a budget, but its inclusion of reused coffee cups does mean that you could end up with non-recyclable cups at the end of your growing process.
Pros
Cons
Our Microgreens Kits Top Picks for 2024
Top Rated Microgreens Kit
With its innovative design that makes it easy to get started, the Micropod Continuous Grow Kit is our top pick for 2024. This kit is perfect for those who want a continuous supply of fresh microgreens without the hassle of replanting.
As with most microgreens kits, this kit comes with everything you need to get started, with its reusable planting boxes, and neat trays, you can resow whenever you want more microgreens, whether or not you’ve got any planting mats left.
Just pop to the garden centre and buy any peas, salad leaves, or brassicas.
Premium Choice Microgreens Kit
Sydney Sprouts don’t just offer simplicity and quality, but they’ve gone the whole hog and produced a completely gorgeous set of planters for microgreens that wouldn’t look out of place in any kitchen.
And because microgreens kits have to be reviewed, naturally, on their ability to grow microgreens, there’s nowhere for Sydney Sprouts to hide, and I’m glad to say their kits hold up there too, with perfect results every time.
Best Value Microgreens Kit
The Urban Plant Growers Microgreen Grow Kit is our best value pick for 2024, offering a simple and functional design at an affordable price. With the option to choose your seeds from a generous range, and a simple growing process, this kit is perfect for those who want to grow fresh microgreens without breaking the bank.
Microgreens Kits Frequently Asked Questions
What are microgreens kits?
Microgreens kits are compact indoor gardens, which allow anyone to grow fresh and nutritious microgreens at home. These kits typically include a tray or planter, soil, seeds, and instructions.
How long does it take for microgreens to grow in a kit?
Microgreens typically take around 7-14 days to grow in a kit, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Some kits may come with instructions on when to harvest the microgreens based on their growth stage.
Can I reuse my microgreens kit?
It depends on the kit and the materials used. Some kits are designed for single use and should be binned after harvesting. Other kits come with reusable trays that allow you to grow multiple batches of microgreens.
For more gardening kits and planters, check out our Australian buying guides below:
Get the Best Microgreens Kit Today
There’s a world of choice when it comes to microgreens kits but, whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, there is a kit out there for you. It’s important to consider your budget, space, and the types of plants you want to grow when selecting a kit though, so make sure to follow some of our more basic rules for finding the right kit for you.
Microgreens are a fun and easy way to incorporate fresh and nutritious greens into your diet. With the right microgreens kit, you can enjoy growing your own microgreens from the comfort of your own home.
Published on May 4, 2023 by Gary Clarke
Last Updated on January 11, 2024