Calculators · Specialty crops
Microgreens Production Math.
Microgreens Production Math
Tray density, days to harvest, expected weight, COGS, revenue. Plan a microgreens operation by variety.
Production tips by variety
| Variety | Pre-soak? | Blackout? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | 8-12h | 3-4 days, weighted | Best-seller; need to remove hulls; weight presses sprout for stronger stems |
| Pea shoots | 8-12h | 3-4 days, weighted | Re-fruit possible (cut at base, regrows) |
| Radish (any) | No | 2-3 days | Fastest grower; spicy; popular |
| Broccoli | No | 2-3 days | Mild; sulforaphane health-marketing angle |
| Cilantro | No | None | Slow grower; coriander seeds; uneven germination |
| Basil | No | None | Slow; needs warmth; mucilaginous (stick) |
| Wheatgrass | 8-12h | 3-4 days | Juiced not eaten; thick mat; fast |
Setup essentials
- Light: ~150-200 µmol/m²/s; 16-18 hour photoperiod. Cheap T5 fluorescent or basic LED works.
- Temp: 65-72°F germination; 65-75°F production. Cooler = slower; warmer = mold risk.
- Humidity: ~50-65% during growth; lower during last 2 days for shelf life.
- Air movement: Critical. A cheap clip-on fan dramatically reduces damping-off and mold.
- Substrate: Coco coir or burlap mat for most. Soil for some (sunflower, pea, wheatgrass). Hydroponic mat for clean-eating market.
- Watering: Bottom-water from below; top-water only with mister, never spray once growing.
- Sanitation: Bleach or hydrogen peroxide rinse trays between uses. Mold lives on dirty trays.
Sales channel reality
| Channel | Price/oz | Effort | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers market | $3.50-5.00 | High (saturday booth) | 20-50 oz/week per market |
| Restaurants direct | $2.00-3.50 | Medium (1-2 deliveries/wk) | 50-200 oz/week per account |
| Subscription / CSA | $3.00-4.50 | Medium (consistent demand) | 5-30 oz per subscriber/wk |
| Co-op / natural foods retailer | $1.50-2.50 | Low (delivery only) | 50-300 oz/week per store |
| Wholesale distributor | $1.00-1.80 | Lowest | Volume; thin margins |
Free under CC BY 4.0. Cite as "Open Agriculture Technology Microgreens Production Math (openagriculturetechnology.com)".