Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the seed come from?
We get all our seeds from the EU, except the red amaranth, which is propagated in America. We try to work as much as possible with regional producers and expand our range with germ seeds from the Netherlands. For example, we our wheat is harvested regionally by local farmers. However, since this is not so easy and, above all, takes a lot of time, we currently source the majority of our seeds from Italy and France.

How is the quality of the seeds ensured?
Basically, every batch is subjected to an incoming inspection. Above all, the germination ability is tested, but it is also checked visually for pests, foreign bodies or other irregularities. Before the seeds are offered in our online shop, the manufacturer or we also carry out a microbial analysis in an independent laboratory. There the seeds are exposed to harmful pathogens such as e. coli bacteria or Salmonella examined. Each batch gets its own batch number, which can also be found on every label. This ensures traceability of origin at all times.

How long do the different varieties take to soak & germinate?
You can find the soaking and germination times below under “Microgreens” and “Sprouts”.

Can I also use the seeds to grow real vegetables in the garden?
Theoretically yes. In practice, however, our seeds are not bred in the same way as seeds for commercial horticulture. That’s why you shouldn’t expect a big compact head for broccoli or a big tuber for radishes. Breeding is expensive and not necessary in our case. On the contrary: the unbreded varieties are usually much better in terms of ingredients and vitamins. The cultivated variants are usually only bred for properties that are important for the trade, vitamins and ingredients play a rather subordinate role! With sprouts and microgreens, however, only the first 20 days of growing the plants and the valuable ingredients are important. That is why we drive the unbred seed, which we can offer you cheaper, so much the better.

What is the best way to store the seeds?
The perfect thing is: dark, 15 ° C, a humidity of less than 35% and packed airtight! Since we know that these requirements can usually not be fully met, just try to get as close as possible, so you will enjoy our seeds for up to a year. Pro tip: use a clean jam jar for easy storage.

How is the seed packaged?
Sustainability is very important to us, also when it comes to packaging, which is why our seed packaging is made entirely from sturdy paper. We offer our entire range of loose seeds plastic-free. We are also continuously improving to be as sustainable as possible.

Why is there no expiry date on the seed bags?
According to the law, no best-before date has to be specified for seeds. In our eyes, this does not make sense either, because the durability of the seeds depends on several different storage factors: temperature, light, humidity, etc. Since we can only control these conditions in our warehouse, it does not make sense on our part Specify the best-before date. However, if you store our seeds properly, you can use them for up to a year without major restrictions.
These are approximate values ​​since the germination of the sprouts depends on many factors such as temperature, humidity and light.

What other packaging materials are used? 
So that your order arrives safely at your home, we pack the products in the best possible way and pay attention to natural and biodegradable materials. We use recycled cardboard for our packages.

What material are our trays made of?

Our trays consist of BPA free plastic. During our selection proces we have found that this material has a higher durability, is easier to clean and can be used as often as possible. Our approach is to produce as little waste as possible for the sake of the environment. That is why we have chosen our trays to be designed in such way to be lightweight, easy to clean and have a high durability so we significantly keep the environmental burden as low as possible.

What can the trays be used for?

The trays are used to grow microgreens and sprouts.

Are the trays BPA free?

Yes, our trays are BPA free.

Are the trays food safe?

Since the trays are intended for growing plants in a medium, they do not necessarily have to be food-safe and are therefore not declared. However, our trays are made from BPA plastic and are therefore harmless when it comes into contact with food.

How long can you use the trays / trays?

Our approach, if we are already using plastic, is to be able to reuse it as often as possible for the sake of the environment in order to produce as little waste as possible. For this reason, we have chosen this particularly durable material. We are using these trays by ourselfves and have not worn one out yet to give you a clear answer on this question, which is a good sign isn’t it?!

What is the best way to clean trays?

To ensure that the trays are optimally prepared for the next cultivation, we recommend washing them out thoroughly with tap water.

Are microgreens healthier than sprouts?

There are no major differences in the ingredients, only the chlorophyll content in microgreens is higher due to more daylight. So you can say that microgreens are a little bit healthier than sprouts.

What can I do with microgreens?

The variety of microgreens gives you a culinary experience on itself. You can turn almost any dish into a real eye-catcher with microgreens. For more inspiration, check out our Instagram profile @themicrogreenshop. We will also regularly post recipe ideas on our website www.themicrogreenshop.com so make sure you visit our website regularly!

How often should you water them?

It depends on the room temperature and air humidity. We recommend starting with 1x a day. At higher room temperatures, however, it may be necessary to water the microgreens and sprouts twice a day. You can easily check it by watering it in the morning and checking in the evening whether the medium is dry or still damp. Our trays are carefully designed to make sure that excess water can flow out of the growing trays so over-watering can be easily avoided.

How do you optimally water?

We recommend using a spray bottle for watering for the first few days. We make use of an automated professional watering system to be able to ensure a consistent high quality of fresh microgreens and sprouts to the restaurants we deliver to. Our team is currently brainstorming on ways to come up with a smaller version of our automated watering system, so the whole growing microgreens and sprouts process at home will become easier for you in the near future!

What are the optimal growth conditions for microgreens?

In order to grow microgreens as successfully as possible, a room temperature of 18-20’C and no direct sunlight are recommended. Further detailed instructions can be found on the packages of the seeds as each microgreen and sprout has its own optimal growth condition.

What can I use sprouts for?

Sprouts are not just healthy snacks, they can also be used in a wide variety of ways to enhance all kinds of dishes. For more inspiration, check out our Instagram profile @themicrogreenshop. We will also upload recipe ideas and further information on various types of seeds on our website www.themicrogreenshop.com.

What are the optimal growth conditions for sprouts?

In order to grow sprouts as successfully as possible, a room temperature of 18-20’C and no direct sunlight is recommended. Further detailed instructions can be found on the packages of the seeds as each microgreen and sprout has its own optimal growth condition.

How often should you water them?

The sprouts should ideally be watered twice a day.

Are my sprouts infected with mold?

Do not worry. If white hairs appear on the seeds, it is in most cases so-called micro-roots. They are absolutely harmless and usually grow in the earth. However, since we plant the seeds superficially, these micro-roots can become visible. Mold would initially only develop at a certain point and would slowly spread over several days. Micro roots, however, can be seen directly on every germinating seed. You can find more information on this topic on our website.

Help the sprouts don’t smell good and are mushy, what should I do?

When the sprouts start to get stinky and mushy, it’s mostly due to too much moisture. Our tip: Make sure to carefully drain off the moisture after watering and to ensure adequate ventilation.