Best Microgreens to Grow in Spring: A Complete Guide
By Bryan, Microgreens Farmer at Wind River GreensQuick answer: Spring's mild temperatures (60-75°F), longer daylight hours, and higher humidity create ideal conditions for growing microgreens. Pea shoots are the top choice for spring cultivation due to their vigorous growth, while the season's natural advantages help prevent common issues like damping-off disease. You'll achieve faster growth and better flavor development compared to other seasons.
Spring is the perfect time to start your microgreens journey or expand your growing repertoire. The mild temperatures, longer daylight hours, and increased humidity create ideal conditions for most microgreen varieties. Whether you're a beginner or experienced grower, choosing the right varieties for spring can make all the difference in your success.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the best microgreens to grow during spring months, along with specific tips for maximizing your harvest during this optimal growing season.
Photo by Bori Balogh on Unsplash
Why Spring is Perfect for Growing Microgreens
Spring offers several advantages for microgreens cultivation that you won't find during other seasons. The natural increase in daylight hours means your microgreens receive more light energy, promoting faster growth and better flavor development.
Temperature stability is another key benefit. Spring's moderate temperatures (typically 60-75°F) fall within the sweet spot for most microgreen varieties. You won't need to worry about the extreme heat of summer slowing growth or the cold snaps of winter requiring additional heating.
The naturally higher humidity levels in spring also help prevent some common growing issues like damping-off disease while keeping your growing medium at optimal moisture levels.
Top 5 Best Microgreens for Spring Growing
1. Pea Shoots - The Spring Champion
Pea shoots are arguably the best microgreens to start with in spring. These vigorous growers love the cool, moist conditions that spring provides and can handle slight temperature fluctuations better than most varieties.
Pea shoots germinate quickly (usually within 2-3 days) and are ready to harvest in just 7-10 days. Their sweet, crisp texture makes them perfect for spring salads and stir-fries. The larger seeds are also more forgiving for beginners, as they're easier to handle and less prone to clumping.
For spring growing, soak your pea seeds for 8-12 hours before planting. The increased ambient humidity means you might not need to water as frequently as you would in drier seasons.
2. Sunflower Microgreens - Nutty Spring Goodness
Sunflower microgreens thrive in spring's mild conditions and produce some of their best flavor during this season. The moderate temperatures prevent the slight bitterness that can develop in hot weather, leaving you with pure, nutty sweetness.
These microgreens are packed with protein and healthy fats, making them an excellent addition to spring detox smoothies and fresh salads. They typically take 8-12 days from seed to harvest, giving you a steady supply throughout the season.
Spring's natural humidity helps prevent the hull problems that sometimes plague sunflower microgreens in drier conditions. Just be sure to remove any seed hulls that remain attached to prevent mold issues.
Photo by Jun Ren on Unsplash
3. Radish Microgreens - Spicy Spring Kick
Radish microgreens love cool weather, making spring an ideal time to grow these spicy little powerhouses. The moderate temperatures allow their signature peppery flavor to develop fully without becoming overwhelmingly hot.
These fast-growing microgreens are ready in just 6-8 days, making them perfect for impatient gardeners or those wanting quick results. The bright pink and purple stems add beautiful color to spring dishes and garnishes.
Spring's consistent moisture levels help radish microgreens develop their characteristic crunch. The cooler nights particularly benefit these microgreens, as they prefer the temperature variation that spring naturally provides.
4. Broccoli Microgreens - Nutrient-Dense Spring Greens
Broccoli microgreens are nutritional powerhouses that perform exceptionally well in spring conditions. The mild temperatures help preserve their high levels of sulforaphane, the compound responsible for many of broccoli's health benefits.
These microgreens have a mild, slightly bitter flavor that pairs perfectly with spring vegetables and lighter dishes. They're ready to harvest in 8-10 days and provide excellent value due to their dense nutritional profile.
Spring growing conditions help prevent the leggy growth that can occur with broccoli microgreens in low-light winter conditions. The increased daylight helps them develop thick, sturdy stems and well-formed leaves.
5. Arugula Microgreens - Peppery Spring Flavor
Arugula microgreens are at their absolute best when grown in cool spring weather. The moderate temperatures allow their signature peppery bite to shine without becoming too intense or bitter.
These quick-growing microgreens are ready in just 7-9 days and add sophisticated flavor to spring salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. Their distinctive taste pairs beautifully with seasonal ingredients like asparagus and fresh peas.
The consistent moisture levels in spring help arugula microgreens develop their characteristic texture and prevent the rapid flowering that can occur in hot weather.
Spring Growing Tips for Maximum Success
Optimize Your Lighting Setup
While spring provides more natural light than winter, you may still want to supplement with grow lights for consistent results. The increased daylight hours mean you can reduce your artificial lighting schedule from 16-18 hours to 12-14 hours per day.
Position your trays near south-facing windows to take advantage of natural sunlight, but be prepared to move them if temperatures spike unexpectedly. The combination of natural and artificial light often produces the best results during spring months.
Monitor Humidity Levels
Spring's naturally higher humidity is generally beneficial, but it can sometimes lead to mold issues if air circulation is poor. Ensure good ventilation around your growing area and consider using a small fan on low speed to keep air moving.
Check your growing medium moisture levels more frequently during humid periods. You might find you need to water less often than during dry winter months.
Temperature Management
While spring temperatures are generally ideal, watch for unexpected warm spells that can stress your microgreens. If temperatures consistently rise above 75°F in your growing area, consider moving trays to a cooler location or increasing ventilation.
Cool nights are actually beneficial for most microgreen varieties, so don't worry if temperatures drop into the 50s overnight. This temperature variation often improves flavor development.
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Succession Planting for Continuous Harvests
Spring's stable growing conditions make it perfect for establishing a succession planting schedule. Start new trays every 3-4 days to ensure a continuous supply of fresh microgreens throughout the season.
Keep detailed records of planting dates and varieties to optimize your timing. At Wind River Greens, we've found that staggering plantings every three days provides the perfect balance of fresh harvests without overwhelming production.
Consider growing different varieties on different schedules. Fast-growing varieties like radish can be planted every 3 days, while slower varieties like sunflower might work better on a weekly schedule.
Common Spring Growing Challenges and Solutions
Managing Increased Pest Activity
Spring's warming temperatures can bring increased pest activity, particularly fungus gnats. These tiny flies are attracted to moist growing media and can become problematic if not managed early.
Prevention is key - ensure proper drainage in your trays and avoid overwatering. If gnats appear, yellow sticky traps placed around your growing area can help control adult populations.
Preventing Mold in Humid Conditions
Higher humidity levels can sometimes lead to mold issues, particularly with dense-seeded varieties. Improve air circulation and consider reducing seeding density slightly during particularly humid periods.
Watch for white, fuzzy growth that indicates mold rather than healthy root development. Healthy roots are typically more hair-like and don't have the cotton-ball appearance of mold.
Harvesting and Storage Tips for Spring Microgreens
Spring-grown microgreens often have excellent shelf life due to the optimal growing conditions. Harvest in the morning when plants are fully hydrated for best results.
Use clean, sharp scissors to cut just above the growing medium. Avoid cutting too low, as this can introduce contamination from the growing substrate.
Store harvested microgreens in the refrigerator in breathable containers. Spring-grown microgreens typically maintain quality for 7-10 days when properly stored.
Expanding Your Spring Microgreen Garden
Once you've mastered the top varieties, spring is an excellent time to experiment with more challenging microgreens. Consider trying varieties like cilantro, basil, or even edible flowers like nasturtiums.
The forgiving spring conditions make it easier to learn the specific requirements of different varieties without the stress of extreme weather conditions.
Seasonal Growing Guides
Growing changes with the seasons. Explore our full seasonal growing guide or check out these guides:
Cost Breakdown: What You'll Actually Spend on Spring Microgreens
Growing microgreens in spring can be surprisingly economical, especially when you factor in the seasonal advantages that reduce operational costs. Here's what you can expect to spend for a basic home setup.
Initial equipment costs range from $50-150 depending on your approach. A basic setup includes growing trays ($20-30 for a set of 10), growing medium like coconut coir or peat moss ($15-25), a spray bottle ($5), and basic seeds ($20-40 for variety packs). Spring's natural light conditions mean you can often skip expensive grow lights initially, saving $100-300.
Ongoing costs per crop are minimal. Seed costs typically run $0.50-2.00 per tray, depending on the variety. Pea and sunflower seeds cost around $3-4 per pound and will fill 15-20 trays. Premium varieties like red cabbage or purple kohlrabi cost more at $15-20 per pound, but you'll use much smaller quantities.
Growing medium replacement costs about $0.25-0.50 per tray if you're using coconut coir or soil mix. Many growers reuse trays 20-30 times before replacement, making the per-crop tray cost negligible.
The real savings come from spring's natural conditions. You'll use less water due to higher humidity, and moderate temperatures eliminate heating costs. A typical spring crop costs $1.50-3.00 per tray to produce, yielding 3-6 ounces of microgreens worth $8-15 at retail prices.
Common Spring Growing Challenges (And How to Handle Them)
Spring microgreen growing isn't without its hurdles. Understanding these challenges upfront helps you avoid frustration and crop losses.
Mold and fungal issues top the list of spring problems. Higher humidity that benefits growth can also encourage unwanted fungal development. Watch for white, fuzzy growth that's different from normal root development. Prevent this by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overwatering. If you notice mold, increase ventilation and reduce watering frequency immediately.
Inconsistent spring temperatures can stress young microgreens. A warm day followed by a cold night might slow germination or cause uneven growth. Monitor your growing area and move trays to more stable locations during temperature swings. Basements or interior rooms often provide more consistent conditions than sunrooms or porches.
Pest pressure increases in spring as insects become more active. Aphids and fungus gnats are particular problems for indoor growers. Yellow sticky traps help monitor and control flying pests. Keep growing areas clean and remove any decaying plant matter promptly.
Seed quality varies more in spring as suppliers work through winter inventory and receive new stock. Always test germination rates before committing to large plantings. Soak 20 seeds in water for the recommended time, then check how many sprout after 3-4 days. Germination rates below 80% indicate poor seed quality.
Overenthusiasm kills more spring crops than any other factor. New growers often start too many varieties at once or plant more than they can consume. Start with 2-3 varieties and stagger plantings by 3-4 days to ensure continuous harvests without waste.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spring Microgreens
Do I need special equipment for spring growing? No, spring's favorable conditions actually reduce equipment needs. You can start with basic trays, growing medium, and seeds. Grow lights aren't essential due to longer daylight hours, though they help if you're growing indoors without south-facing windows.
How often should I water microgreens in spring? Spring humidity means less frequent watering than summer growing. Check soil moisture daily by touching the growing medium. Water when the top feels dry but the bottom inch remains slightly moist. This usually means watering every 1-2 days instead of daily.
Can I grow microgreens outside in spring? Yes, but with precautions. Use a covered area like a porch or cold frame to protect from heavy rain and strong winds. Bring trays inside if temperatures drop below 45°F at night. Outdoor growing works best for hardy varieties like peas, radishes, and kale.
Why are my microgreens growing slowly despite spring conditions? Slow growth usually indicates inadequate light, poor seed quality, or temperatures outside the optimal range. Move trays closer to windows or supplement with artificial light. Check that your growing area stays between 60-75°F consistently.
When should I start spring microgreens? Begin as soon as nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 45°F in your area. This typically means mid-March to early April in most temperate regions. Starting too early while cold snaps are still possible can damage crops.
Conclusion
Spring offers the perfect opportunity to grow exceptional microgreens with minimal effort and maximum reward. The combination of moderate temperatures, increased daylight, and natural humidity creates ideal conditions for varieties like pea shoots, sunflower, radish, broccoli, and arugula microgreens. By following these guidelines and choosing the right varieties for the season, you'll be rewarded with flavorful, nutritious microgreens that showcase the very best of spring growing conditions. Start with these top five varieties, and you'll quickly discover why spring is considered the gold standard season for microgreens cultivation.