7 Reasons to Start a Microgreens Business Today

Are you looking for a way to make money from home, grow your own food, and contribute to a healthier planet? If so, you might want to consider starting a microgreens business. Microgreens are the young seedlings of edible plants that are harvested when they are just a few inches tall. They are packed with flavor, nutrients, and antioxidants, and they can be grown indoors all year round with minimal space and equipment. In this article, we will explore seven reasons why you should start a microgreens business today.

Key Takeaways

Microgreens are in high demand, easy to grow, fast to grow, profitable to grow, good for the environment, good for your health, and fun to grow.

To start a microgreens business, you need to draft a business plan, pick a business name and entity, obtain the necessary permits and licenses, purchase the equipment and tools, and market and sell your products.

To grow microgreens successfully, you need to sow organic seeds in trays with soil or hydroponic medium, place them under grow lights or natural lights, water them daily or as needed, harvest them when they are 2 to 3 inches tall with scissors or a knife, and package them in bags or containers with labels.

1. Microgreens are in high demand.

Microgreens have become a popular ingredient in many cuisines, especially among chefs, health-conscious consumers, and foodies. They add color, texture, and freshness to salads, sandwiches, soups, smoothies, and more. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global microgreens market size was valued at USD 1.3 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% from 2021 to 2028. This means that there is a huge potential for microgreens growers to tap into this lucrative market and sell their products to restaurants, grocery stores, farmers’ markets, online platforms, and direct consumers.

2. Microgreens are easy to grow.

Unlike other crops that require a lot of land, water, fertilizer, and pesticides, microgreens can be grown indoors in small containers using organic seeds, soil or hydroponic medium, trays, and grow lights. You don’t need any prior gardening experience or special skills to start a microgreens business. All you need is some basic knowledge of how to sow, water, harvest, and package your microgreens. You can learn how to grow microgreens from online courses, books, videos, blogs, and podcasts. You can also join online communities of microgreens growers who can offer you tips, advice, and support.

3. Microgreens are fast to grow.

One of the best things about microgreens is that they have a very short growing cycle. Depending on the variety, microgreens can be ready to harvest in as little as 7 to 14 days after sowing. This means that you can produce multiple batches of microgreens per month and generate a steady income from your microgreens business. You can also experiment with different types of seeds and mixtures to create your own unique blends of microgreens.

4. Microgreens are profitable to grow.

Another great thing about microgreens is that they have a high profit margin. The cost of growing microgreens is relatively low compared to the price you can charge for them. According to Microgreens Farmer, the average cost of growing one tray of microgreens is about $3.50, while the average selling price is about $20 to $40 per tray. That means you can make a profit of $16.50 to $36.50 per tray or more depending on the market demand and your marketing strategy. If you grow 10 trays per week, you can make $165 to $365 per week or more from your microgreens business.

5. Microgreens are good for the environment.

Growing microgreens is not only good for your wallet but also for the planet. By growing microgreens indoors, you can reduce your carbon footprint and water consumption compared to conventional farming methods. You can also use organic seeds and compostable packaging materials to minimize your environmental impact. Moreover, by growing your own food locally, you can reduce food waste and transportation emissions.

6. Microgreens are good for your health.

Growing microgreens is not only good for your business but also for your well-being. By growing your own food organically, you can ensure that you are eating fresh, nutritious, and chemical-free produce that can boost your immune system and prevent diseases. According to a study by the University of Maryland and the USDA, microgreens contain up to 40 times more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than their mature counterparts. Some of the health benefits of eating microgreens include improving digestion, lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, enhancing vision, and preventing cancer.

7. Microgreens are fun to grow.

Last but not least, growing microgreens is fun and rewarding. You can enjoy watching your seeds sprout into beautiful greens in a matter of days and harvest them with your own hands. You can also share your passion for microgreens with your family, friends, customers, and community members. You can teach them how to grow their own microgreens or give them as gifts or samples. You can also create recipes using your microgreens or join online contests and challenges with other microgreens growers.

Tips

Start small and test the market before investing too much money or time into your microgreens business.

Keep track of your expenses and income and set realistic goals and budgets for your microgreens business.

Experiment with different seeds, mediums, lights, and techniques to find the best combination for your microgreens business.

Label your trays with the date of sowing, the type of seed, and the expected harvest date to avoid confusion and ensure quality control.

Harvest your microgreens early in the morning when they are fresh and crisp and store them in a cool and dry place until delivery.

How to Start a Microgreens Business

Microgreens are young, tender vegetable greens that are harvested 7-14 days after germination, when they have two fully developed cotyledon leaves. They are often used to enhance the color, texture, or flavor of various cuisines, such as pasta, pizza, omelets, and salads, due to their intense aromatic flavor and variety of colors and textures. They also contain a high amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a healthy and nutritious food choice.

The global microgreens market is projected to grow from USD 1.35 billion in 2021 to USD 3.05 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 10.5% from 2021 to 2026. This indicates that there is a high demand and potential for microgreens in the food industry, especially in the premium segment. If you are interested in starting a microgreens business, here are some steps you need to follow:

1. Choose your microgreens varieties:

There are many types of microgreens available, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, arugula, peas, basil, radish, cress, and others. Each type has its own flavor, color, texture, and nutritional profile. You need to research the market and find out which types are popular and profitable in your area. You can also experiment with different combinations and blends of microgreens to create your own signature products.

2. Choose your farming method:

Microgreens can be grown indoors or outdoors, using different methods such as soil-based, hydroponic, aeroponic, or aquaponic. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, space, yield, quality, and environmental impact. You need to consider your budget, available space, production capacity, and customer preferences when choosing your farming method. You also need to invest in equipment such as trays, seeds, growing medium, lights, fans, irrigation system, etc.

3. Choose your distribution channel:

Microgreens have a short shelf life and need to be delivered fresh to the customers. You need to find reliable and efficient distribution channels that can reach your target market. Some of the common distribution channels for microgreens are hypermarkets/supermarkets, restaurants, farmers’ markets, online platforms, etc. You need to establish good relationships with your distributors and ensure that they handle your products with care and respect.

4. Choose your marketing strategy:

Microgreens are a niche product that requires effective marketing to create awareness and demand among the customers. You need to promote your brand and products using various channels such as social media, websites, blogs, flyers, brochures, etc. You also need to highlight the benefits and features of your microgreens such as their taste, quality, freshness, healthiness, etc. You can also offer samples, discounts, loyalty programs, etc. to attract and retain customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the best microgreens to grow for beginners?
A: Some of the easiest and most popular microgreens to grow for beginners are radish, pea, sunflower, broccoli, kale, and lettuce.

Q: How much space do I need to grow microgreens?
A: You can grow microgreens in any space that has enough light and ventilation. You can use a spare room, a closet, a basement, a garage, or even a windowsill. A 10×10 feet space can fit about 100 trays of microgreens.

Q: How much time do I need to spend on growing microgreens?
A: Growing microgreens does not take a lot of time. You only need to spend about 15 minutes per day on watering, harvesting, and packaging your microgreens. You can also automate some of the tasks using timers, pumps, and fans.

Q: How do I market and sell my microgreens?
A: There are many ways to market and sell your microgreens. You can create a website, a social media page, or a blog to showcase your products and attract customers. You can also contact local restaurants, grocery stores, or farmers’ markets and offer them samples or discounts. You can also sell your microgreens online through platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or Amazon.

Q: How do I scale up my microgreens business?
A: Once you have established a loyal customer base and a steady cash flow, you can scale up your microgreens business by expanding your growing space, increasing your production capacity, adding more varieties of microgreens, hiring employees, or partnering with other growers.

References:

https://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jan14/greens0114.htm

https://books.google.com/books?id=GEf4AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA63

http://organicgardening.about.com/od/vegetablesherbs/a/growmicrogreens.htm

https://www.newfoundr.com/how-to/start-microgreen-business