Harvest and Storage guide

From growing tray to plate.

Harvest is one of the most satisfying parts of growing microgreens at home. What began as a handful of seeds becomes something fresh you can cut and enjoy within days.

Knowing when and how to harvest helps preserve flavour, texture and freshness — and makes it easier to take only what you need.

When Are Microgreens Ready to Harvest?

There is no single harvest day that applies to every variety.

Most microgreens are ready once the stems are well developed and the first seed leaves, known as cotyledons, have fully opened.

Some varieties develop quickly, while Basil, Dill, Red Amaranth and other slower-growing varieties need more time.

Use the individual Variety Guide as your reference, but allow the appearance of your microgreens to be the final guide.

Harvest Only What You Need

One of the pleasures of growing at home is being able to harvest directly before eating.

Rather than cutting the entire tray at once, you can harvest only what you need for your meal and leave the remaining microgreens growing for a little longer.

Freshly cut microgreens require very little handling and can go almost directly from your growing tray to your plate.

How to Harvest

Use clean, sharp scissors or a clean blade.

Hold a small section of microgreens gently and cut the stems just above the surface of the growing mat.

Avoid cutting into the mat or pulling the roots from it.

Continue in small sections until you have harvested the amount you need.

The Best Time to Harvest

Whenever possible, harvest when the microgreens are fresh and dry.

Avoid harvesting immediately after watering if the foliage is very wet. Dry leaves are easier to handle and generally store better if you are not using them immediately.

Rinsing Before Eating

Rinse harvested microgreens thoroughly under clean running water before eating.

Handle delicate varieties gently and allow excess water to drain before serving.

If you plan to store them rather than eat them immediately, excess moisture should be removed before refrigeration.

How to Dry Microgreens

After rinsing, allow the microgreens to drain thoroughly.

You can gently pat them dry with a clean towel or use a salad spinner carefully for sturdier varieties.

The goal is simply to remove excess surface moisture without crushing the tender stems and leaves.

Storing Harvested Microgreens

Place clean, dry microgreens in a clean container and refrigerate promptly.

Avoid packing them tightly. A little room helps protect their delicate structure.

Excess moisture encourages faster deterioration, so make sure the greens are reasonably dry before storing them.

How Long Do They Keep?

Freshness varies between varieties and depends on how the microgreens were harvested, dried and stored.

Rather than relying on a fixed number of days, use their condition as your guide.

Fresh microgreens should look vibrant, feel fresh and smell clean. Discard them if they become slimy, develop an unpleasant smell or show signs of spoilage.

Can I Leave Them Growing After They Are Ready?

For a short time, yes.

However, microgreens do not necessarily improve simply by becoming larger. As they mature, their stems can become tougher and their flavour and texture may change.

Harvesting around the recommended stage generally gives the delicate texture associated with microgreens.

After the Final Harvest

Once the tray has been fully harvested, remove and discard or compost the used growing mat where appropriate.

Microgreens generally do not regrow reliably after cutting, so begin the next growing cycle with a fresh mat and fresh seeds.

Clean and dry your trays thoroughly before starting again.

Good to Know

The shortest journey from harvest to plate is one of the biggest advantages of growing your own.

Instead of thinking about how long microgreens can be stored, GW Grow encourages a simpler rhythm whenever possible:

grow → cut what you need → enjoy it fresh.

From Tray to Everyday

Add freshly harvested microgreens to eggs in the morning, sandwiches and bowls at lunch, or fish, pasta and salads at dinner.

They do not need to become a separate part of the meal. Often, a handful added to something you already eat is enough.

Grow it. Cut it fresh. Enjoy it while it is fresh.