Best Microgreens to Grow in Spring: A Complete Guide
By Brian & Bryan, Microgreens Farmers & Founders of Wind River GreensSpring 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.
Photo by Rachel Clark on Unsplash
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:
Common Spring Growing Mistakes to Avoid
Even with spring's favorable conditions, certain mistakes can derail your microgreens success. Understanding these pitfalls will help you avoid costly setbacks and ensure consistent harvests throughout the season.
Over-watering due to increased humidity is the most frequent spring mistake. Many growers assume spring's higher humidity means they need to water more, but the opposite is true. Check your growing medium daily by inserting your finger about half an inch deep – if it feels moist, skip watering for that day.
Another common error is inadequate air circulation. Spring's mild weather tempts many growers to keep windows closed, but proper airflow remains crucial. Use a small fan on low speed for 2-3 hours daily to prevent mold and strengthen stem development. Position it to create gentle air movement rather than direct blowing.
Timing mistakes with succession planting also plague spring growers. Don't start all your trays simultaneously just because conditions are ideal. Stagger new plantings every 3-4 days to ensure continuous harvests rather than overwhelming abundance followed by gaps.
Finally, avoid the temptation to over-seed your trays in spring enthusiasm. Dense seeding leads to weak, spindly growth and increases disease risk, even in optimal spring conditions. Stick to recommended seeding densities: approximately 1-2 ounces of seeds per 10x20 inch tray for most varieties.
Advanced Spring Growing Techniques
Once you've mastered basic spring microgreens growing, these advanced techniques can significantly boost your yields and quality during the season.
Temperature Manipulation for Faster Growth
Take advantage of spring's natural temperature swings by implementing a day/night temperature differential. Allow temperatures to reach 72-75°F during peak daylight hours, then let them drop to 65-68°F at night. This 5-7 degree difference stimulates faster germination and stronger stem development.
You can achieve this naturally by positioning trays near south-facing windows during the day and moving them to cooler areas at night, or use a simple timer-controlled heating mat for more precise control.
Light Optimization Strategies
Spring's increasing daylight provides excellent growing conditions, but you can optimize further with strategic light positioning. Rotate your trays 90 degrees every two days to ensure even growth and prevent leaning. For varieties like radish and mustard microgreens, provide 12-14 hours of light daily during spring for optimal leaf development and color intensity.
If using artificial lights, reduce your lighting schedule by 1-2 hours compared to winter growing, as natural ambient light contributes significantly during spring months.
Humidity Control for Premium Quality
Maintain humidity levels between 50-60% for most spring varieties. Use a simple hygrometer to monitor levels and adjust by opening windows during dry days or using a small humidifier when needed. Avoid humidity levels above 70%, which can promote fungal issues even in spring's favorable conditions.
Troubleshooting Spring Growing Problems
Despite spring's advantages, specific issues can still arise. Here's how to identify and solve the most common spring microgreens problems quickly.
Leggy or Weak Growth
If your microgreens appear tall and weak despite adequate light, you're likely experiencing excessive moisture combined with poor ventilation. Reduce watering frequency by 24-48 hours and increase air circulation immediately. Spring's mild temperatures make this adjustment easier than in other seasons.
Uneven Germination Patterns
Patchy germination often results from inconsistent seed-to-soil contact or uneven moisture distribution. Press seeds gently but firmly into your growing medium, and consider using a spray bottle with fine mist setting for more even water distribution during the first 3-4 days.
Mold Despite Good Conditions
If mold appears even with proper spring growing conditions, examine your seed quality and storage. Old or improperly stored seeds are more susceptible to mold issues. Always use seeds stored in cool, dry conditions and purchased within the last 12-18 months.
Additionally, ensure your growing trays have adequate drainage holes. Even spring's ideal humidity can cause problems if water pools at the bottom of trays.
Slow Growth in Optimal Conditions
When growth seems slower than expected despite perfect spring weather, check your growing medium pH. Most microgreens prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Test with simple pH strips and adjust if necessary using organic amendments.
Also verify your seeding depth – many growers plant too deeply in spring, thinking extra moisture will help. Most microgreen seeds need only light coverage or surface contact with growing medium.
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.