The Simple South African Guide to Growing Microgreens.
If you’re looking for an easy way to grow food from home and even make extra money, microgreens are the answer. You don’t need a farm, a greenhouse, or lots of space. Just a small tray, some seeds, and a little water. In this guide, I’ll show you — step by step — how to start growing your own microgreens in South Africa, whether you’re in a flat, house, or rural area.
Microgreens are young plants harvested a few days after they sprout. They’re small, colorful, and packed with nutrients, even more than fully grown veggies. You can grow them quickly at home and use them in salads, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, and more.
In South Africa, many families want fresh, healthy food without spending a lot. Microgreens solve this problem because:
People are selling microgreens to restaurants, health shops, or just to neighbors who want clean, fresh greens!
Here’s what you need, and you may already have some of it at home:
These are just the basic to get started.
1. Get Your Tray Read
Fill your tray with soil or coco coir. Pat it flat. Spray water to make it moist.
2. Add the Seeds
Sprinkle seeds over the whole tray (not too thick). Gently press them down with your hand.
3. Cover and Wait
Put a second tray or cardboard on top to block the light. Leave it for 2 to 3 days. Spray water twice a day.
4. Let Them Grow
Remove the cover. Place the tray where there’s sunlight or use a grow light. Spray with water every morning and evening.
5. Harvest and Eat or Sell
After 7 to 14 days, when the plants are 5–8cm tall, cut them with clean scissors. Rinse and eat, or pack and sell them!
Avoid common beginner mistakes and start your microgreens journey with clarity and confidence.
Read our post Farming in South Africa: Small Scale Profit for a more detailed step by step process.
It costs around R10 to R20 per tray to grow microgreens. You can sell each tray’s harvest of 150g for R100 to R250. If you grow 10 trays a week, that’s R3,600–R9,200/month in extra income, and more as you grow!
Following these tips will give you much better results in growing microgreens.
These are very useful ideas you can use to start selling microgreens.
Start with just 1 or 2 trays. Get the feel of it. Then slowly grow. When you’re confident, turn it into a small business and sell from home. You’re not only feeding your family, you’re building something real.
Passionate about growing and empowering others! I’m a microgreens grower and business enthusiast based in South Africa, focused on helping people grow nutritious greens from home and turn small spaces into thriving businesses. Through local insights, hands-on experience, and a love for sustainability, I’m building a community of growers who want to live healthier, earn extra income, and make a positive impact, one tray at a time.
2 Responses
Hi, I am a newby, total beginner who wants to grow and sell micro greens in Midrand, Centurion and Johannesburg Northern suburbs asap. I am keen to learn and network.
Hello Nina. Thank you for your kind word. We are actively busy working on building MicroRoots on becoming a solid brand in South Africa as part of our Vision. Keep an eye on our Blog, where will are busy setting up Categories and Archives. Our content will be focusing on teaching beginners how they can start growing and selling Microgreens to their respective community. Join us on our journey. You will be one of the first of many to come.