How to Grow Microgreens in Winter (No Soil Required!)

How to Grow Microgreens in Winter (No Soil Required!)

Winter is my favorite time of year to grow microgreens.

They’re incredibly easy, I can do it right in my kitchen, and it gives me access to fresh greens during the time of year when it’s hardest to grow much of anything outside in the garden.

I also love using cold frames to protect greens through the winter, but when it comes to simplicity, microgreens really can’t be beat. 

Microgreens are SO easy, especially when you start with a few beginner-friendly seeds (I’ll share my favorites below).

In just 3–10 days, you can grow microgreens that are ready to harvest and add to salads, sandwiches, bowls, wraps, and more.

The exact timing depends on:

• The type of seed you’re growing
• The temperature of your kitchen

In general, larger seeds sprout faster, and warmer rooms help microgreens grow more quickly.

My Simple, No-Soil Method to Grow Microgreens

If you’ve watched my microgreens video on YouTube, you already know that I keep things as simple as possible. When I grow microgreens, I don’t use soil or any growing medium at all — just water.

If you missed the video, you can watch the full step-by-step tutorial here. Can’t see the video? Click here to watch.

What You’ll Need

• Seed sprouter
• Microgreen or sprouting seeds
• Clean water
• A kitchen counter or shelf

I use a 3-tray stacking seed sprouter, which allows me to grow microgreens in multiple varieties at the same time while taking up very little space. Everything stacks neatly, drains properly, and keeps the seeds healthy.

I’ve also got my eye on this 4-tier stainless steel set of sprouting trays.

Step-by-Step: How I Grow Microgreens at Home

1. Soak the Seeds

To grow microgreens successfully, start by soaking your seeds.

Place the seeds in the sprouting trays and cover them with water. Most seeds do well with a 6–12 hour soak. This wakes the seeds up and starts the sprouting process.

After soaking, drain the water completely.

2. Stack the Trays

Once the soak is done, stack the trays in your sprouter system.

Benefits of stacking:

• Saves counter space
• Helps keep moisture consistent
• Encourages even sprouting

Place the trays on your counter at room temperature. No light is needed at this stage.

3. Rinse Once or Twice a Day

This is the main daily task — and it only takes about a minute.

• Rinse the seeds with fresh water
• Drain thoroughly
• Restack the trays

Ideally, I rinse twice a day, but once a day is more realistic. Proper drainage is important when you grow microgreens this way — the seeds want moisture, not standing water.  On the other hand, we want to avoid allowing the seeds to dry out.  

4. Watch Them Grow

Within a few days, you’ll start to see sprouts emerge.

As they grow taller and greener, you can move them to a brighter spot in your kitchen if you’d like, but they’ll continue to grow microgreens just fine without special lighting.

Most varieties are ready to harvest in 3–10 days, depending on the seed type and room temperature.

5. Harvest and Enjoy

When the sprouts are a few inches tall and look lush and green, they’re ready to eat.

You can: 

• Harvest the entire tray at once
• Or store the microgreens in the fridge for a few days, wrapped in a clean cloth in an airtight container.

Add your fresh microgreens to salads, sandwiches, wraps, bowls, eggs, or anywhere you want extra crunch and nutrition.

Easy Microgreen Seeds for Beginners

If you’re new and want an easy way to grow microgreens, these are some of my favorite beginner-friendly options:

• Organic Bean Salad Sprouting Mix
  A fast-growing mix with great texture and flavor.
• Organic Alfalfa Sprouting Seeds
  Mild, reliable, and very easy to grow.
• Organic Broccoli Sprouting Seeds
  One of my go-to choices — nutritious and consistently successful.

Why I Love to Grow Microgreens in Winter

Growing microgreens is one of the easiest ways to add fresh, homegrown food to your meals — especially during winter.

Homegrown microgreens are:

• Fast
• Simple
• Grown right on your kitchen counter
• A great way to access fresh greens year-round

Once you try it, I think you’ll be hooked. There’s something deeply satisfying about harvesting fresh greens in the middle of winter — no soil, no garden, no fuss.

If you want to see exactly how I do it, be sure to watch the full video here. 

Happy sprouting!

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Microgreens

How long does it take to grow microgreens?

Most microgreens are ready to harvest in 3–10 days. The exact timing depends on the seed variety and the temperature of your kitchen.

Do I need soil to grow microgreens?

No. I grow microgreens without soil or any growing medium. The seeds are soaked once, then rinsed daily or twice daily using a stacking tray sprouter.

How often should I rinse microgreens?

I recommend rinsing once or twice a day. Make sure the trays drain well after each rinse so the seeds stay moist but not sitting in water.

Do microgreens need sunlight?

Microgreens don’t need sunlight to sprout. Once they’ve started growing, you can move them to a brighter spot in your kitchen, but special lighting isn’t required.

What are the easiest microgreens for beginners?

Some of the easiest options if you’re learning how to grow microgreens include:

• Broccoli

• Alfalfa

• Bean or bean salad sprouting mixes

These seeds sprout quickly and are very forgiving.

Why grow microgreens in winter?

Microgreens are perfect for winter because they:

• Grow quickly indoors

• Take up very little space

• Provide fresh, homegrown greens when the garden is resting

They’re one of the easiest ways to grow microgreens year-round.