Supplies checklist

• MicroFarm
• 1x tray with drainage holes: Full 1020 size (rectangular) OR Half 1010 size (square)
• 2x trays without drainage holes (of matchiong size): Full 1020 size (rectangular) OR Half 1010 size (square)
• Clear bag of grow medium: 2x for Full size tray OR 1x for Half size tray
• Buckwheat seed packet: 2x for Full size tray OR 1x for Half size tray
• Mesh seed soaking bag
• Magnetic label and dry erase marker
• Bowl or similar container
• Water
• A 10-15lb weight: for example, 3x large mason jars full of water

Prepare Your seed

Time: 1-2 minutes then 6-24 Hours

1. Open the packet or packets of seed and pour the contents into the seed soaking bag
2. Fill a bowl (or container) with water
3. Place the bag with seeds inside the container so its submerged in wate
4. Let seeds soak for a minimum of 6 and maximum of 24 hours
5. After the 6-24 hours has passed, drain and rinse your seeds
6. Hang the bag to allow seed to drip-dry for a minimum of 10 mins to maximum of 1 hour

Prepare your trays

Time: 2 minutes

1. Place 1x tray without holes on a flat or even surface 
2. Nest 1x tray with drainage holes inside the tray without hole

3. Open the bag of grow medium and pour the following amounts into the tray with holes:
   • • if using Full size tray: 1 whole bag + 1/4 of second bag (put the remainder aside)
     • if using Half size tray: 2/3 of bag (put the remainder aside)
4. Using your hand, gently spread the grow medium throughout the tray, breaking up clumps and making sure to push it into the edges and corners
5. Take the second tray without holes and place it in a nested position over the grow medium you just spread
6. Lightly press down on the tray, running your hands across its surface – you don’t need to press hard, we are not trying to compress the grow medium just even it out
7. Remove the second tray without holes and set it aside

Sow Seed

Time: 2 minutes

1. Pour the Buckwheat seed directly onto the grow medium
2. Using your hand spread the seed over the entire tray in a single layer, avoiding major clumps as best as possible

3. Take the remaining grow medium you put aside during the “Prepare Your Trays” step, and pour it over the seed
4. Spread it using your hand so that all seed is covered, breaking up clumps as you go

Germination

Time: 1 min then 6 days (no action required)

1. Place the second tray without holes in a nested position overtop of the seeds
2. Place your 10-15lb weight on top
3. Place your stack on your MicroFarm where it can stay undisturbed for 6 days
4. Use the included magnetic label and dry erase marker to label your tray
5. Set a reminder for exactly 6 days from now to check on your microgreens
6. Enjoy the next 6 days!

GRO TIP: If you already have a tray of the same size under light and you are germinating this tray for continuous growing, you can simply place this tray underneath the one already on the grow.

Let There Be Light

Transition Out Of Germination | Time: 2 minutes

1. Today you should see little microgreens poking out around the edges of the trays, maybe they’re even lifting the top tray and weight a little
2. Remove the weight, and lift the top tray without holes off the plants
   • • They will be pale and squished looking
     • You should see a generally even distribution of shoots
     • Most of the seed husks will still be attached to the microgreens, they will pop off over the coming days

3. Place the trays with your microgreens on your MicroFarm
4. Set the included timer to the current time, and your desired ON and OFF times
   • • We recommend 16-18 hours of ON time for optimal growth and quicker time to harvest.  However, this time can be shorter if you need it to be for any reason.
     • Make sure that your ON time falls before or at sunrise, and your OFF time falls after or at sunset
     • How to Use the Timer 

5. Plug your MicroFarm light and fan cables into the timer and plug the timer in to power

First Watering | Time: 2 minutes

1. Fill a cup or container with water
   • • About 1 cup of water for a Full size tray
     • About 1/2 cup of water for a Half size tray
2. On just one end, lift the tray with drainage holes and microgreens up off the bottom tray without holes
3. Pour the water into the bottom tray
4. Place the tray with holes and microgreens back into the bottom tray
5. Enjoy the rest of your day 🙂

This process is called “bottom watering”. The microgreens and grow medium will absorb the water through capillary action

Do not mist or water your microgreens from the top, the greens will not benefit from that and it may harm them.

Healthy & Happy Growth

Repeat Every Day Until Harvest | Time: 1-2 minutes/day for 6-10 days

1. Bottom water your microgreens
   • • with 1/2-1/3 cup of water for a Full size tray
     • with 1/4-1/2 cup of water for a Half size tray
2. Enjoy the rest of your day 🙂

PRE-Harvest CHECKLIST

• Buckwheat microgreens are ready for harvest between 12 and 16 days after sowing.  This time frame may vary slightly if
  • Your microgreens get less than the recommended amount of time under light
  • If the ambient temperature is low  (they will grow slower)
  • If the ambient temperature is high (they will grow faster)

• For optimal flavour Buckwheat microgreens should be harvested while the stems are still a vibrant pink
  • Most of the flavour is in the stems and it disspates as they age and pale
• To extend their shelf life use a sharp clean knife instead of scissors to harvest your microgreens.
• Store harvested microgreens in an airtight container in your fridge.  Avoid the top shelf or the back of your fridge as they can freeze there and go bad.

Buckwheat microgreens release a sticky juice from their stems during harvest. For ease of handling, wear nitrile gloves (or the like)

Last Watering

1. Water your microgreens for the last time no less than 12 hours before you plan to harvest, but don’t let them wilt
   • Super wet or wilted microgreens will go bad quickly even if stored properly

Harvest

Time: 5-10 minutes

1. Wash your hands before starting
2. Put on gloves if using
3. Using your fingers, gently pluck off any seed husks still attached to the plants
   • • Although technically Buckwheat husks are edible, they are very hard and can be painful if bitten into
4. With one hand gently grab hold of a small bunch of microgreens by their canopy
5. With the other hand slide your sharp clean knife across the stems just above the grow medium for more stem, higher if you want less stem
6. Place the harvested microgreens in a clean airtight container

5. Repeat until the entire tray is harvested
6. Close the container and store in the fridge
7. Clean the used grow medium out of the tray and dispose of it into a compost bin
8. Clean both used trays with hot water and dish soap, dry with a towel or allow to air dry
9. Clean your harvesting knife
10. Make yourself a delicious snack with your freshly harvested microgreens

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