12 Best Garden Tools for Growing Microgreens Indoors

Are you stuck on the best garden tools for growing microgreens indoors?

Microgreens are delicate little power packed seedlings of vegetables and herbs that often get overlooked. 

They have become a culinary sensation and a popular choice for home gardeners and indoor gardeners who have small spaces but want high quality nutritious greens. Growing microgreens indoors is a convenient and rewarding way to add freshness and nutrition to your meals. To ensure a flourishing microgreen garden, it’s essential to have the right tools at your disposal. In this guide: 

* We’ll explore the best garden tools for growing microgreens indoors successfully.

* I’ll include some bonus indoor garden supplies that are not required but could be helpful. 

* I’ll mention my favorite brands of tools and with a click, they could be yours, too. 

Let’s dig into my favorite tools for your indoor gardening. 

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1. Microgreen Seeds: The Heart of Your Garden

The first step in growing microgreens is choosing high-quality seeds. So, the first tool you’ll need is seeds. Opt for seeds specifically labeled for microgreen cultivation, as they are bred for their tender, flavorful shoots. Popular choices include broccoli, radish, mustard, and arugula. Make sure you have a diverse selection to add a variety of flavors and nutrients to your harvest.

2. Growing Trays or Containers

For the best care of your plants, you’ll need a large container or growing trays. Invest in shallow, flat trays or containers designed for microgreen cultivation. These should have drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil.

Reusable and eco-friendly options made from materials like recycled plastic or bamboo are ideal. These trays provide the perfect environment for seeds to sprout and greens to thrive.

3. Quality Growing Medium

Did you know that you can grow microgreens in different mediums? It doesn’t have to be soil! 

If you are choosing potting soil, you’ll want a good quality soil starter mix. 

You can also choose to grow in water (hydroponic) or a soilless mixture. 

A soilless mix, composed of coconut coir, peat moss, and perlite, ensures good aeration and drainage, fostering optimal conditions for your plants. 

Whichever you choose, the best option is a high-quality growing medium that promotes healthy root development and provides essential nutrients for your microgreens. 

4. Spray Bottle for Watering

Maintaining proper water level is crucial for successful microgreen cultivation. And sometimes indoor watering is easier said than done. Luckily there is a method to gentle watering that is easy and is a good idea to have on hand – especially for new plants and delicate plants. 

A spray bottle is a much better option than large watering cans because spray bottles allow you to water the delicate seedlings gently. Aim for even moisture distribution without disturbing the seeds. Mist the soil regularly to keep it consistently moist but not waterlogged. 

5. Full-Spectrum LED Grow Lights

If you have access to a window sill or plant stands next to a window in your home, you’ll be able to access adequate amount of natural light to help your microgreens grow. 

However, indoor microgreen gardens often lack access to natural sunlight, making an artificial light source a necessity. 

So, the next tool would be to Invest in full-spectrum LED grow lights to mimic the sunlight necessary for robust plant growth. Position each grow light above the growing trays, adjusting the height as your microgreens grow to ensure they receive adequate light.

6. Plant Labels

Have you ever planted seeds but then forgotten what is coming up? 

​Preparing and implementing plant labels is an ideal solution to make sure you’ll always know what plants are growing where. I have friends who love to just use their creativity and have fun with designing their plant labels for their grow trays. 

Go Here to explore cute plant labels to add style and organization to your own little indoor microspace. 

7. Seed Warming Mat

​Even growing indoors during the winter months require seeds to be warm enough to germinate. 

Seeds require at least 50 degree soil in order to germinate. Sometimes in the winter (even indoors) the air can get pretty chilly for the soil. So, it’s important to make sure the temperature of your soil is going to be right for germinating. 

You don’t want to be caught with no plants if your soil is too cool. With the seed warming mat, you can just set your trays and it will keep the soil warm for your seeds to do their thing. 

I like to use a soil knife to find the seed and make sure they are germinating nicely. 

8. Hand Trowel

A hand trowel is a small handheld garden tool with a pointed, scoop-shaped metal blade and a handle. It is one of the most basic and essential tools for gardeners, used for a variety of tasks such as planting, transplanting, weeding, and soil cultivation. The design of a hand trowel is simple yet effective, making it versatile for various gardening activities.

Key features of a hand trowel include:

1. Blade: The blade is typically made of metal, often stainless steel or carbon steel, and is pointed at the end with a slightly curved or concave shape. This design allows the trowel to penetrate soil easily and scoop it up.
2. Handle: The handle of a hand trowel is usually made of wood, plastic, or metal. It is designed to have a comfortable grip with one hand, providing control and leverage for digging or planting.
3. Size: Hand trowels come in various sizes, but they are generally compact and easy to handle. The blade is typically around 6 to 12 inches long.
4. Durability: Quality hand trowels are designed to be sturdy and durable to withstand the rigors of garden work. The blade is often treated to resist rust and corrosion.
5. Serrated Edge: Some hand trowels have a serrated edge on one side of the blade. This feature is useful for cutting through roots or breaking up compacted soil.

Using a hand trowel is straightforward. Gardeners can use it to dig small holes for planting seeds or transplants, remove weeds, break up soil, and perform other tasks that require precision and control. The compact size of the hand trowel makes it especially useful for working in tight spaces or containers.

Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a beginner, a hand trowel is a handy tool that should be part of your gardening tool kit. Its versatility and ease of use make it an essential implement for a wide range of gardening activities.

Bonus Tools:

These are tools that are not necessarily needed BUT are appropriate additions to your indoor gardening tool kit. It’s always best to be prepared so these indoor gardening supplies are good to have on hand in case of problems with circulation and an easier harvest.

As you know, I’m all about systems to make our lives easier. Having a set of tools on hand is one thing but having indoor gardening systems set up is life changing.  Gardening can be hard work and take a lot of time but if you set up systems, it’ll just get easier and more enjoyable. 

Let’s talk about some of these must-have best indoor gardening tools that you should have on hand. 

1. Microgreen Harvesting Scissors

Of course, you can use pretty much anything to harvest your microgreens. But harvesting microgreens is a delicate process, requiring a clean cut to avoid damaging the tiny plants. 

Microgreen harvesting scissors, with their fine, sharp blades, makes precise trimming efficient and straightforward. Regular garden scissors or kitchen shears can be too harsh and may bruise the tender shoots.

2. Ventilated Dome or Plastic Wrap

Create high humidity and warm microclimate for your indoor plants by covering your trays with a ventilated dome or plastic wrap. This helps retain moisture during the germination stage and accelerates seedling growth.

 Once the microgreens start to emerge, remove the covering to allow proper air circulation. Let’s talk air circulation next.

3. Fan for Good Air Circulation

Prevent issues like damping-off and promote sturdy growth by incorporating gentle air circulation. 

A small, oscillating fan placed near your microgreen trays helps strengthen the plants and discourages mold or fungal growth.

4. Temperature and Humidity Monitor

Microgreens thrive in specific temperature and level of humidity ranges. A temperature and humidity monitor allows you to keep track of the environmental conditions in your indoor garden. 

Aim for a consistent temperature between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C) and humidity levels around 40% to 60% for optimal growth.

​A temperature and humidity monitor is a great choice for managing your microgreens area. 

Nurturing a Microgreen Haven

Armed with these essential tools, you are well on your way to creating a flourishing microgreen haven indoors. From seed germination to harvest, each tool set plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of your microgreen garden. Whether you’re seeking a daily source of fresh greens, a new culinary adventure, or a therapeutic gardening experience, the right tools make all the difference. 

Embrace the joy of cultivating your microgreens and savor the rewards they bring to your plate and well-being. Happy gardening!