faq's

Ordering & Availability

  • We grow our microgreens to order so you receive them at their best. While we frequently grow a little extra to make sure we can meet our clients' needs, availability isn't guaranteed for varieties that haven't been reserved.

    Depending on the variety, lead time is typically 7–21 days. For regular clients, we'll generally establish a weekly or bi-weekly delivery schedule and continue growing your selected varieties specifically for you.

  • Not necessarily. Most of our restaurant and foodservice clients establish a regular weekly or bi-weekly delivery schedule with us. Once we know the varieties and quantities you typically need, we'll keep them in our growing plan.

    And if your needs change, just let us know. Menus change. Events happen. Chefs have been known to change their minds on occasion.

  • A full square is our 8-inch square of living microgreens. We also offer smaller 4-inch squares.

    Most restaurants typically order the larger squares, while residential orders depend more on how you plan to use the greens and how many people you're serving.

    If you're not sure how much you need, we're happy to talk through your plans before you order so you can feel confident you're getting the right amount rather than enough microgreens to garnish the entire city of Charleston.

  • Our minimum order is just one 4-inch square.

  • Absolutely. While we're developing a residential subscription service, you don't have to wait for it. We're happy to deliver individual orders to customers throughout the greater Charleston area.

  • Absolutely. We just recommend reaching out as early as possible. Because we grow to order and some varieties take longer than others, advance notice gives us the best chance of having exactly what you want, in the quantities you need, at peak freshness.

  • Absolutely! We love experimenting with new varieties and are happy to explore something we don't currently grow.

    Just keep in mind that some varieties can be a little temperamental, and getting them right may take a few attempts. Generally, we won't charge you until we've been able to grow the variety successfully.

  • Yes—and we love doing them.

    There is a little plant matchmaking involved. Different varieties can have different germination rates, growing times, and environmental needs, so we'll first determine whether the varieties you have in mind will grow happily together.

    If they will, we're happy to create a custom mix specifically for you.

  • You can see our current selection on our Products page.

    And if you don't see what you're looking for, ask. We're always experimenting with new varieties.

  • We LOVE giving samples to chefs and restaurants.

    If you're curious about a variety—or aren't quite sure what would work best with your menu—reach out. Trying them is much more useful than us describing something as "peppery, but in a good way."

  • We accept cash, check, credit or debit card, or your company's corporate payment system.

    If your organization has a specific vendor onboarding or payment process, just let us know and we'll work with you.

Recurring Orders & Changes

  • We understand that restaurant needs change.

    If you're removing an item or occasionally skipping an order, we generally won't charge you—the extra squares tend to make excellent samples.

    If a cancellation involves a particularly large order, we may need to work out an arrangement together. Our goal is to build long-term relationships, and we understand that chefs and restaurant owners have business pressures of their own.

  • In technical terms: as soon as possible.

    Adding a new variety may require the full growing cycle for that particular microgreen, so the earlier you let us know, the better.

    For cancellations, we appreciate at least 48 hours' notice whenever possible.

  • Ask us!

    We generally grow a little extra of each variety to make sure we can fulfill our regular deliveries, so we can often accommodate an unexpected increase.

    We can't promise we'll always have enough available—these are plants, not widgets—but we'll do our best.

  • Absolutely.

    We know holidays, restaurant closures, vacations, seasonal menus, special events, and other schedule changes happen. Just let us know as early as possible and we'll adjust your growing schedule.

Living vs. Harvested Microgreens

  • Whenever possible, we recommend receiving your microgreens living, still rooted in their growing medium. This allows you to harvest exactly what you need, when you need it, and helps maintain quality and freshness.

    That said, we're happy to harvest and package most varieties for you upon request.

  • Our pea tendrils and sunflower shoots are currently the two varieties we regularly provide harvested.

    We're experimenting with ways to offer those as living products as well, because apparently we are not satisfied until we've made everything slightly more complicated for ourselves.

  • With minimal care, living microgreens can generally last a couple of weeks or longer.

    Their longevity will depend on the variety and how they're stored, but keeping the Rockwool moist and protecting the greens from excessive heat or drying airflow goes a long way.

  • Shelf life varies by variety. Heartier varieties naturally tend to hold up longer than more delicate greens.

    We package harvested greens with paper towels above and below them to help manage excess moisture. Check the towels periodically and replace them when they become damp.

    The goal is to keep the greens cool and protected without allowing excess moisture to accumulate.

storage & Care

  • If you're keeping your microgreens uncovered, they do best in a space between approximately 60°F and 80°F.

    Keep them away from direct heat and strong airflow from fans, vents, or refrigeration units, which can dry them out quickly.

    If you're storing them in a walk-in cooler or refrigerator, they should be covered. The colder temperature itself isn't necessarily the issue; refrigerated environments tend to have strong, dry circulating air that can cause uncovered greens to lose moisture and wilt.

    The simplest rule: if they're uncovered, keep them comfortable; if they're cold, keep them covered.

  • No.

    Living microgreens can do very well outside refrigeration as long as they're kept in a comfortable environment—generally 60°F to 80°F—and away from strong airflow.

    If refrigeration is more convenient, that's fine too. Just keep them covered to help protect them from the cold, dry circulating air found in most refrigerators and walk-ins.

  • The most important thing is to keep the Rockwool moist.

    You don't need to drown the greens or leave them sitting in a pool of water. You simply want the Rockwool to retain moisture and never completely dry out.

    If your greens are refrigerated and covered, they may never need additional water.

    If they're being kept outside refrigeration and uncovered, particularly on an open tray, you'll usually want to add some water every day or two.

    When using clamshell packaging, the enclosed environment retains moisture much better, so additional watering may rarely—or never—be necessary.

    Either way, it's a good idea to check the Rockwool every day or two.

    When watering, add water to the tray or growing medium rather than pouring it over the greens.

    A good rule of thumb: check the Rockwool, not the clock. If it's moist, leave it alone. If it's beginning to dry out, add a little water.

  • Harvesting is easy.

    Using clean kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, cut the stems just above the Rockwool, taking only the amount you plan to use.

    Avoid cutting into the Rockwool itself. Leaving the remainder of the square intact allows the unharvested greens to stay living until you need them.

    For the best quality, harvest as close to serving time as practical.

  • Yes. We recommend giving microgreens a gentle rinse just before eating or serving them.

    Our Rockwool growing medium doesn't contain the soil and dirt associated with traditional field growing, and we keep human handling to a minimum throughout the growing process. Even so, rinsing produce before consumption is a sensible final step.

    We don't recommend washing microgreens before storing them, since introducing extra moisture can shorten their shelf life. Rinse them at the point of use instead.

Delivery & Packaging

  • Depending on the size and type of your order, we generally deliver microgreens in one of two ways.

    For smaller quantities and harvested greens, we use clamshell packaging.

    When purchasing four or more full 8-inch squares of living microgreens, we can deliver them on reusable sheet trays. At your next delivery, we'll simply swap the previous tray for a clean one.

    It makes handling easier and reduces unnecessary packaging.

  • We currently deliver throughout the greater Charleston area to restaurants, caterers, other foodservice businesses, and residential customers.

  • At the moment, we do not charge for delivery.

    That may change when we launch our residential subscription service, but we'll always make any delivery fees clear before you order.

Growing Practices & Ingredients

  • We have what some call an “Urban Farm”. It’s entirely indoors in a controlled environment ideal for growing. We use hydroponic methods and our growing medium is rockwool (or sometimes called “stonewool.”)

  • Rockwool is widely used as a growing substrate in commercial hydroponic production.

    It is an inert growing medium, meaning the plant receives its nutrients separately rather than obtaining them from the Rockwool itself.

    The Rockwool is not intended to be eaten. When you're ready to use your living microgreens, simply cut the stems above the growing medium.

  • We use FloraNova Grow 7-4-10 from General Hydroponics as our primary plant nutrient.

    FloraNova Grow is a concentrated liquid fertilizer formulated for vegetative plant growth and for use in hydroponic and soilless growing systems. (General Hydroponics)

  • We don't use traditional herbicides. When crop protection is needed, we use ZeroTol HC by BioSafe Systems and occasionally standard 3% hydrogen peroxide.

    ZeroTol HC is a hydrogen peroxide- and peroxyacetic acid-based product designed for controlling fungal and bacterial plant diseases. BioSafe Systems specifically lists it for hydroponic growing and use with vegetables, berries, herbs, and other edible plants. We use products according to their label directions. (BioSafe Systems)

  • While some of the seeds we source are organic, we are not Certified Organic, so we don't market our microgreens as organic.

  • We source seeds from several suppliers, with Johnny's Selected Seeds being one of our most frequent sources.

    We also seek out smaller specialty seed providers, particularly when we're looking for unusual varieties, interesting colors, distinctive flavors, or something a client has specifically requested.We source seeds from several suppliers, with Johnny's Selected Seeds being one of our most frequent sources.

    We also seek out smaller specialty seed providers, particularly when we're looking for unusual varieties, interesting colors, distinctive flavors, or something a client has specifically requested.