5 Microgreen Tool Hacks That Save Time and Make Growing Easier

If you're new to growing microgreens or you've been at it for a while, you've probably noticed that some parts of the process can be time-consuming or just flat-out annoying. The more efficient you can get, the better. Especially if you're someone running a lot of trays at once for farmers markets, restaurant accounts, or just a serious home setup.

Beyond efficiency, anything that makes the work easier on your hands and your team is a real win. Who doesn't love a good hack that improves both?

We've now been growing microgreens full-time for 7+ years, and along the way we've tested countless tools, methods, and products on the On The Grow video library. A lot of the tools we love came from random "huh, I wonder if this would work" moments. Most of the time when we followed that curiosity, it turned a slow, tedious task into something fast and easy. Today we're sharing 5 of the tools that have been the biggest game-changers in our grow space, and exactly how we use them.

Quick Answer: What Are the Best Tools for Growing Microgreens?

After 7+ years of growing microgreens, our 5 most valuable tools are: a paper cutter (for cutting bulk grow mat rolls to size), a 2-gallon pump sprayer (for top-watering seedlings during germination), a mini portable washer paired with reusable mesh produce bags (for fast post-harvest drying), our purpose-built Microgreen Medium Scraper (for removing roots from trays and reusable mediums), and a power washer (for fast tray cleaning between grows). Each one solves a specific bottleneck and pays for itself in saved time fast.

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Microgreen Hack #1: Paper Cutter for Cutting Bulk Hydroponic Grow Mat Rolls

If you buy your hydroponic grow mats in bulk rolls to lower your per-tray cost, you already know how time-consuming it is to cut every piece one by one with scissors. It's hard on the hands, the cuts are rarely straight, and the whole thing eats up time you could be growing.

One day we had an aha moment and tried out a paper cutter to see if it would work. It did. The cuts are fast, perfectly straight, and we can knock out a big stack of pre-cut mats in a few minutes. Now instead of cutting just enough for the day, we cut full sections of the roll at once and keep a ready-to-go stack on the shelf.

The paper cutter is affordable (typically around $35 to $40 on Amazon), durable, and works on burlap, hemp, and Biostrate grow mats. If you don't want the hassle, you can always buy pre-cut sheets instead, but we've found those aren't always a perfect fit for our trays. If you're already saving money with bulk rolls, the paper cutter is the obvious next step.

Our affiliate link to the paper cutter: View on Amazon

Microgreen Hack #2: 2-Gallon Pump Sprayer for Watering Seedlings and Microgreens

Misting your seedlings to get them germinating is non-negotiable. In some cases you can get away with bottom watering during germination, but we prefer top-watering during the early phase because it lets us inspect every tray daily as we go.

The fastest, easiest way we've found to top-water our seedlings is with a 2-gallon pump sprayer. Fill it up with water, pump it a few times, and the air compression does the work of pushing water out through the wand for you. No more cramped hands from squeezing a spray bottle 50 times in a row.

The 2-gallon pump sprayer from Scotts at Home Depot has been our favorite for 7+ years now. Affordable, durable, and dramatically faster than any spray bottle we've tried. Pricing fluctuates, but it's typically in the $25 to $30 range.

Our affiliate link to the 2-gallon pump sprayer: View at Home Depot

Microgreen Hack #3: Mini Portable Washer and Reusable Mesh Produce Bags for Drying Microgreens

This hack is one of our absolute favorites, especially if you're selling microgreens at farmers markets or to restaurant accounts where the customer expects clean, dry, ready-to-eat product. The full process is covered in detail on our video library, but the short version is: this little mini washer combined with reusable mesh produce bags is a complete lifesaver for fast post-harvest drying.

How it works: harvest your microgreens, rinse them, load them into the mesh produce bags, drop the bags into the washer on the spin-only cycle, and let it do the work. You get cleanly spun-dry microgreens in a minute or two, with no bruising and no clumping. For commercial growers doing 10, 20, or 50 trays a week, this is the difference between spending an hour patting greens dry with paper towels and getting them packaged in a fraction of the time.

The upfront cost is higher than the other hacks on this list. The mini washer typically runs $200 to $300, and the mesh bag set is usually under $15. But the time savings are massive, and the microgreens come out in noticeably better shape compared to other drying methods we've tried. Important: dedicate the washer exclusively to drying microgreens. Do not use it for laundry or anything else if you want to keep it food-safe. We also sanitize ours between uses with a food-safe Star San spray.

Our affiliate link to the reusable mesh produce bags: View on Amazon

Our affiliate link to the mini portable washer: View on Amazon

Star San spray for sanitizing: View on Amazon

Microgreen Hack #4: The Microgreen Medium Scraper for Removing Roots from Trays and Reusable Mediums

Let's be honest: removing microgreen roots from your mesh trays or reusable grow mediums can be one of the most tedious parts of the entire growing process. It's hard on your wrists, slow, and can get downright dangerous if you start trying to use kitchen knives or other sharp tools for the job.

This is exactly why we designed and now sell our Microgreen Medium Scraper. It's a purpose-built tool for this one job, and it's our daily-driver for removing root mass from mesh trays and our reusable silicone grow medium after every harvest.

The scraper has a comfortable hand grip and the right edge profile to glide cleanly across the tray or medium surface, lifting the root mass off in seconds instead of minutes. It's easy to sanitize between uses, food-safe, and built to last for years of regular use. It also won't damage the mesh on your trays or the silicone surface on our reusable mediums, which a knife or improvised tool absolutely will.

If you've been struggling with root removal as the slowest part of your tray turnaround, this is the single biggest time-saver on this entire list for anyone running reusable mediums. Pair it with the cleaning and sanitizing process we walk through here and you've got a tight, repeatable post-harvest workflow.

Get the Microgreen Medium Scraper here: onthegrow.net/products/microgreen-medium-scraper

Microgreen Hack #5: Power Washer for Cleaning Trays Quickly

If you've already read our blog on how to clean and sanitize microgreen trays and reusable mediums, you've seen the power-washer method. It's our go-to for fast tray cleanup, especially when we have a stack of 10+ trays to turn around between grows. With two people working together, you can knock out a full rack in a few minutes.

A few important caveats:

• Never use power washer soap. Most power washer detergents are not food-safe. We use plain water only.
• Always wear protective gear. The spray is powerful enough to cut skin. We use rubber gloves and stand at a safe distance.
• This is a warm-weather method. Power washing outdoors during winter is miserable. We're still looking for a colder-weather alternative, but in spring and summer it's hard to beat.
• Buy a brand-new power washer for food-contact use. Do not reuse one that's had detergents or chemicals in it. Even residue can compromise food safety.

Power washer pricing varies widely depending on PSI and brand. A solid mid-tier electric model in the $150 to $250 range works well for tray cleaning. You don't need a heavy-duty gas-powered unit.

Our affiliate link to the power washer: View on Amazon

For a deeper dive into our full cleaning workflow, see our complete cleaning and sanitizing guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need special tools to grow microgreens?

No. You can absolutely grow great microgreens with nothing more than a tray, a growing medium, seeds, and water. The tools in this list are time-savers, not requirements. We recommend starting simple. Once you've grown a handful of successful crops and you start noticing which parts of the process feel slow or frustrating, that's the right time to add a tool that solves that specific bottleneck.

Which tool should I buy first?

It depends on what's slowing you down. If you're using a reusable medium and root removal is your biggest pain point, the Microgreen Medium Scraper is the highest-impact first purchase. If you're cutting your own grow mats from bulk rolls, the paper cutter pays for itself fast. If you're top-watering with a manual spray bottle, the pump sprayer is the most immediate quality-of-life upgrade.

Are these tools worth it for a home grower with only a few trays?

The pump sprayer, the Microgreen Medium Scraper, and the paper cutter (if you cut your own mats) are all worth it even for small home setups. The mini washer and power washer are best for growers running larger volumes or selling commercially. For very small home setups, an inexpensive salad spinner is a fine substitute for the mini washer.

What's the best tool for removing roots from a reusable silicone grow medium?

The Microgreen Medium Scraper. We designed it specifically for this job. It glides cleanly across the silicone surface without damaging it and lifts root mass off in seconds. Knives, brushes, and improvised scraping tools all risk damaging the silicone surface or creating micro-abrasions where bacteria can accumulate.

Can I use any spray bottle for watering microgreens?

Yes, but you'll regret it quickly if you grow more than a few trays. Manual spray bottles cramp your hands fast. A 2-gallon pump sprayer eliminates that problem and delivers a consistent fine mist every time. For larger commercial setups, growers eventually move to gravity-fed or pressurized misting systems, but a pump sprayer is the right next step from a spray bottle.

How do I sanitize my microgreen tools between uses?

Wash with food-safe dish soap and warm water, rinse thoroughly, and then spray with a food-safe sanitizer like Star San or a 3% food-grade hydrogen peroxide solution. For tools that touch the harvest directly (like the mini washer, mesh bags, and the Microgreen Medium Scraper), sanitize between every use. For tools that only touch trays (like the power washer and pump sprayer), regular cleaning between grows is enough.

Final Thoughts

None of these tools are required to grow great microgreens. But each one solves a specific bottleneck that becomes more annoying the more trays you grow. If you've been doing everything the manual way and a step is starting to drag, look for a tool that solves that exact problem. Most of these have paid for themselves multiple times over in our grow space.

Have a hack of your own we haven't tried? We'd love to hear about it. Drop us a message through our contact page or tag us on social. For more on the systems and tools we use day-to-day, our Microgreen Masterclass walks through our complete setup, methods, and the tools we reach for in every step of the process.

Happy growing!

Related Blogs You Might Enjoy

• How to Clean and Sanitize Microgreen Trays and Reusable Mediums
• Meet Our Reusable Silicone Grow Medium
• Compatible Microgreen Seeds for Reusable Grow Mediums
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• How to Start Growing Microgreens: Beginner's Guide
• How to Grow Microgreens in 10x20 Trays: Complete Guide
• Complete Microgreen Lighting Guide (7 Years of Testing)
• How to Build a Microgreen Grow Rack
• Microgreen Tray Clip Labelers (CJ-Designed)

This blog contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and Home Depot affiliate, On The Grow may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases through these links at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we use ourselves in our own grow space. For full details, see our Affiliate Disclosure.

Written by: Mandi Vaughn
Published: August 29, 2021
Updated: May 25, 2026
All content shown is Property of On The Grow®, LLC