Choosing Microgreen Seeds: Organic vs Conventional, Germination Rates and Where to Buy
Organic or conventional — does it matter for microgreens?
- Taste/growth: nearly identical in a 7–14 day indoor grow; the seed coat is what you're mostly consuming, so residue concerns are real but small. Organic-labeled seed skips synthetic pesticide treatments — a reasonable preference for something eaten raw and densely.
- Germination: both grades typically list 85–95% germination. What actually varies batch-to-batch is age and storage, not the label.
- Bottom line: buy fresh (packaged within ~12–18 months), store cool and dark, and start with a small packet of any grade to test your setup before buying bulk.
Where to buy and what it costs
| Source | Typical price (per pack) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Baker Creek / True Leaf / similar specialty catalog | $3–8 per 100 g+ | Big variety, good germination guarantees, ships reliably. |
| Local garden center / co-op | $2–6 per small packet | Fresh stock, you can inspect the date; variety is smaller. |
| Big-box seed sellers (Amazon etc.) | $2–5 per packet | Cheap; verify storage conditions and packaging date if listed. |
Seed cost per harvest is small — roughly $0.50–2 per tray for a standard crop. The medium and trays are the real first-year expense (see trays vs mats vs smart gardens).
Storage: where seed goes wrong
- Cool (< 15–20 °C), dark, dry — a drawer away from the fridge heat works.
- Viability drops fast after 2–3 years or in hot storage; if your first batch germinates poorly, assume stale seed before blaming your medium.
- Keep receipts/packaging photos: suppliers stand behind germination rates only on unexpired stock.
First-buy checklist (starter mix)
- Radish — fastest, forgiving, great feedback crop (~1 $).
- Broccoli — the health-claim staple, easy (~1–2 $).
- Sunflower — big, sturdy, shows your blackout skill (~1–2 $).
- Pea — pre-soak required but high yield (~2 $).
Total: under $10 to learn the full cycle. If all four grow well, you know your water/light/air setup before scaling.
Sources
- Supplier seed catalogs (True Leaf Market, Baker Creek) — germination guarantees and storage advice; checked 01.10.2026.
- AASPCA/extension guidance on seed storage and viability (general).