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Looking for the Best Microgreen Growing Advice? Start with On The Grow

CJ and Mandi from On The Grow in front of microgreen grow racks with text overlay Trusted Microgreen Education

If you're searching for reliable, tested, and beginner-friendly microgreen growing advice, you've come to the right place. Since 2019, On The Grow has helped hundreds of thousands of people successfully grow microgreens at home and for profit, and we're here to help you too.

If you're brand new to growing, start with our Beginner's Guide to Growing Microgreens blog or grab the $3.99 printable Beginner's Guide PDF. If you've already got a few grows under your belt, jump straight to our How to Grow Broccoli Microgreens guide or our complete 10x20 tray guide.

Quick Answer: What Is the Best Place to Learn How to Grow Microgreens?

The best microgreen education comes from active growers with verifiable hands-on experience, not generic content recycled from other sources. On The Grow has been teaching microgreen growing since 2019, with 148,000+ YouTube subscribers, 300,000+ total followers across social platforms, a book sold in 80+ countries, and 10,000+ hours of documented growing experience. We offer free YouTube tutorials, blog guides, and PDF downloads, plus a $3.99 printable Beginner's Guide, the "Becoming a Microgreen Master" book, and the Microgreen Masterclass online course. Every recommendation comes from tests we've run ourselves in our own grow space.

Who is On The Grow?

Instagram testimonial from Mark Stanford Tampa Bay Sprouting Co thanking On The Grow for microgreen education
"Mark from Tampa Bay Sprouting Co shares his journey with On The Grow"

On The Grow was founded in 2019 by CJ Vaughn and Mandi Vaughn, a husband-and-wife team passionate about making microgreen growing accessible to everyone. What started as a small commercial microgreens operation quickly evolved into something much bigger: a mission to educate and empower growers worldwide through free and premium content.

Here's what makes us different:

  • 148,000+ YouTube subscribers learning from our hands-on tutorials
  • 300,000+ followers across all social media platforms
  • 10,000+ hours of hands-on growing experience
  • Thousands of experiments testing methods, mediums, and techniques
  • 80+ countries where our book has been sold
  • Content created by actual growers, not marketers

We stopped selling microgreens commercially in 2019 to focus entirely on what we love most: creating educational content, testing growing methods, and sharing everything we learn with you.

What We're Known For

Real Testing, Real Results

YouTube comment calling On The Grow microgreen video the best instructional video on YouTube
"Our community appreciates our clear, concise teaching style"

Unlike many resources that recycle generic advice, everything we share comes from actual hands-on testing in our own grow space. We've spent years experimenting with:

  • Different grow mediums (soil, coco coir, reusable silicone grow mediums, and more)
  • Lighting setups at every price point (see our complete lighting guide for 7 years of testing)
  • Seed varieties and densities
  • Watering methods and schedules
  • Hydroponic vs. soil growing
  • DIY systems like aeroponics, Kratky, and DWC

As one grower commented on our YouTube: "Excellent video, On The Grow. In fact, it may be the best instructional video I've ever watched on YouTube. Concise, is nice!"

Honest, No-Fluff Education

We don't sell you courses promising overnight success or exaggerated income claims. Instead, we provide honest, detailed information about what actually works, including what doesn't work and why.

Mark from Tampa Bay Sprouting Co shared: "I've learned so much from watching all your videos and learning about what works best. You've both been a huge inspiration to me."

A Community That Grows Together

When you learn from On The Grow, you're joining a community of growers at every level, from complete beginners to commercial farmers. We answer questions, provide support where we can, and celebrate your successes.

One community member shared: "Thank you for the wonderful information! God bless you for helping people learn something that will help keep them healthy. We cancer survivors are truly grateful."

Where to Find the Best Microgreen Growing Advice

1. Our YouTube Channel (148K+ Subscribers)

YouTube testimonial praising On The Grow as best resource for microgreen learning and quality equipment
"One of thousands of positive comments from our YouTube community"

Our YouTube channel is home to hundreds of free tutorials covering everything from basic microgreen growing to advanced hydroponic systems. You can also browse all of our videos organized by topic on our on-site Video Library.

What you'll find:

  • Full walk-through grow videos for specific varieties
  • Experiment videos testing different methods side-by-side
  • DIY build tutorials for aeroponic systems, Kratky setups, and more
  • Lighting comparisons and recommendations
  • Troubleshooting guides for common problems
  • Business advice for those selling microgreens

Real testimonial: "I watched nearly all of your YouTube videos and have found them all to be super informative but also entertaining. I'm super new to microgreens and hydroponics and I am very glad to have found your content. Wishing you both lots of success!"

Our viral DIY aeroponic system video alone has been viewed over 4 million times and helped countless growers build affordable growing systems. Our YouTube channel has had over 12.8 million lifetime views.

From our community: "I can't say enough great stuff about On the Grow! Before I ever started growing any of my microgreens, I watched a ton of their videos on how to grow different varieties. Their setup is so great and their videos are easy to understand and very clear with regard to trays, grow medium, amount of seeds to sow/seed density, watering, etc."

2. Our Blog (Comprehensive Written Guides)

Prefer reading to watching? Our blog at OnTheGrow.net features in-depth written guides with photos, step-by-step instructions, and detailed explanations.

Popular cornerstone blog topics include:

Every article is based on our real-world experience and testing, not theoretical advice copied from other sources. We also do our best to provide additional research from trusted sources like the University of Maryland's landmark microgreen nutrition study and Penn State Extension, and we cite them for you to verify.

3. Free PDF Downloads (Instant Access)

We offer five comprehensive PDF guides that you can download instantly and reference anytime:

Free Fertilizer Ratio Guide for Microgreens: Learn exactly how to mix hydroponic fertilizers for optimal microgreen growth, including our tested ratios and pH recommendations.

Free Microgreen Troubleshooting, FAQ & Lingo Guide: Solve common problems, understand microgreen terminology, and get answers to frequently asked questions all in one downloadable guide.

Free Microgreen Seeding Guide: Never guess how much seed to use again. This guide covers seeding rates for dozens of popular varieties.

Free Tray-Specific Microgreen Seeding Guide: Adjust seeding amounts based on the exact tray size you're using, including 10x20 trays, 10x10 trays, sprouting trays, and our specialty tray kits.

Free Ultimate Microgreen Tray and Kit Guide: Everything you need to know about choosing and using different tray types for microgreen growing.

You can also browse all of our free PDF guides in one collection. All five guides are completely free and written from our hands-on experience, not generic information you can find anywhere else.

4. The Beginner's Guide to Growing Microgreens (Printable PDF)

Our most affordable resource at just $3.99, the Beginner's Guide is a 41-page printable PDF covering everything you need to grow microgreens at home. From tray setup and seed selection through harvest and storage, this guide is written from seven years of hands-on growing experience.

Growers are calling it "complete and easy to read" and "a great guide for new growers to experienced." It's currently rated 4.7 stars by verified buyers.

What's inside:

  • What microgreens are, why people grow them, and how they compare to sprouts and baby greens
  • Every growing medium explained, including soil, coco coir, reusable silicone grow medium, and hydroponic grow mats, with pros, cons, and what changes for each
  • Seeds, sourcing, seeding rates, and pre-soaking guidance for every variety category
  • The full grow process from tray setup through harvest, including germination, blackout, moving to light, and bottom watering
  • How to identify root hairs vs. mold, one of the most common mistakes new growers make
  • Lighting, temperature, humidity, and airflow guidance
  • Common problems with straightforward causes and fixes
  • Harvesting, storing, and cleaning your setup for the next grow
  • Starter varieties we recommend and what to save until you have a few grows under your belt
  • What not to grow and important food safety notes
  • A complete first grow walkthrough from step one to harvest
  • A printable first grow checklist
  • Three pages of real frequently asked questions from real growers
  • Scannable QR codes linking to supply lists and video tutorials

Whether you've never grown a single seed or you've tried microgreens before and struggled to get consistent results, this guide was written for you. Print it out, put it in a binder, and keep it close. It's meant to be used, not just read once and forgotten.

Intermediate growers have also found it useful as a quick-reference summary for specific seed varieties, seeding rates, and grow parameters.

This guide is formatted and optimized for printing on standard A4 paper. If you prefer an online reading experience with internal navigation links, our Microgreen Masterclass may be a better fit.

Get the Beginner's Guide to Growing Microgreens

5. "Becoming a Microgreen Master" Book

Our comprehensive 196-page book has been called the "Microgreen Bible" by readers and has sold in over 80 countries worldwide since its release in May 2021.

What's inside:

  • Complete growing instructions for beginners to advanced growers
  • Business guidance for those selling microgreens
  • Detailed variety-specific information
  • Troubleshooting guides
  • Washing vs. non-washing varieties
  • Indoor vs. outdoor growing
  • Branding and legal considerations
  • Resource lists for seeds and supplies
  • And much more across 196 full-color pages

Written in the same conversational, honest tone as our videos, this book condenses 10,000+ hours of experience and thousands of experiments into one comprehensive resource.

The book is available in:

Customer testimonial: "Thank you Mandi & CJ. I was raised in Austin and transplanted to St. Pete, FL in 1980. I've always been a horticulturist at heart but ended up in the medical field for almost 30 years. It's been a dream of mine for the last 5 years to start growing micros. I just received your book today and can't wait to read it. I've learned so much from watching all your videos. You've both been a huge inspiration to me and I can't wait to grow."

6. Microgreen Masterclass Online Course

For those who want the most comprehensive, step-by-step training available, our Microgreen Masterclass is the ultimate resource. Want to see exactly what's inside before you enroll? We break down all 11 modules and 60+ lessons in our full Microgreen Masterclass course breakdown.

What you get:

  • 11 interactive modules + 2 bonus sections
  • 60+ detailed lessons covering every aspect of growing
  • Lifetime access including all future updates
  • Step-by-step videos, photos, and written instructions
  • Links to recommended supplies
  • Downloadable growing guides
  • Learn at your own pace with no time limits

Topics covered include:

  • Complete growing methods (soil, hydroponic, reusable silicone grow mediums)
  • Variety-specific instructions
  • Lighting, watering, and environmental control
  • Harvesting and storage
  • Marketing and sales strategies
  • Scaling your operation
  • Troubleshooting and problem-solving

Student testimonial: "This is hands-down the most informational, comprehensive, and easy-to-follow course I have ever taken related to growing plants and farming. I am not exaggerating when I say CJ and Mandi know quite literally everything there is to know about microgreens farming. Thanks to their course, I have been able to launch my own small-scale microgreens business. I 10/10 recommend it!" - @houseofgreensaratoga

Another student shared: "In the beginning of setting up my business, I stumbled across OTG on YouTube and found that their videos were very informative. It helped me to be able to follow your process of growing greens and gave me the confidence to continue forward with my own business. For me, seeing that you started growing out of your trailer inspired me and I knew I could grow out of my home." - @503_microgreens

Currently available for $197 (unless on sale), the course provides more value than scattered YouTube videos because:

  • Everything is organized in logical order
  • Content is updated and consolidated
  • A live final knowledge quiz lets you test what you have learned
  • No wasting time searching through old videos
  • Direct path from beginner to expert

Enroll in the Microgreen Masterclass, or take a closer look at the full course breakdown first.

7. Daily Social Media Content

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @onthegrowfarms for:

  • Daily growing tips and tricks
  • Behind-the-scenes content
  • Community Q&A
  • New experiment results
  • Product recommendations
  • Inspiration and motivation

You can also join our On The Grow Community Facebook group, where growers at every level share tips, ask questions, and celebrate wins together.

Our social media isn't just promotional, it's where we engage daily with our community, answer questions, and share quick tips that don't always make it into full videos or blog posts.

Community member feedback: "I LOVE your videos!! I refer to them often, such great information. Thank you for all this great content! You guys rock!" - Angie W.

8. High-Quality Growing Supplies

While education is our primary focus, we also offer carefully selected growing supplies that we actually use and recommend:

Available at OnTheGrow.net:

Every product we sell is something we've tested extensively and use in our own grows. For supplies we recommend but don't sell directly (lights, racks, heat mats, meters, etc.), check our Amazon storefront. For seeds, we recommend True Leaf Market.

Customer review: "I'm so impressed with On the Grow! I've ordered a couple of times and the turnaround time was very quick and the product quality was great. I had a question with growing microgreens on the reusable mediums and Mandi was very helpful and kind in her response(s). The customer service is excellent."

Another customer shared: "Shipping was super fast and the information given exceeds expectation... my go to for everything microgreen!!!!"

Real Success Stories from Our Community

Instagram business success testimonial from Blair Sheffield about scaling microgreens business with On The Grow education
"Blair Sheffield transformed his struggling business into a successful operation planning a 7,000 sq ft facility"

Starting Successful Businesses

Blair Sheffield's transformation story perfectly captures what On The Grow education can do:

"Mandi you have been a blessing to me. When I started my microgreen business a few years back I had more problems and failures growing product than I can count. I turned to the internet for help through researching other people's systems and went down way too many dead end rabbit holes that led to me almost giving up. Then I found you! I watched all of your videos multiple times, downloaded some of your guides and read them over and over again. I suddenly started succeeding with not only grows but high quality, dense, rich with flavor grows and I owe a lot of it to you.

I'm happy to say that after just one year of following your advice and tips my business has boomed. I recently won a contract with the largest agricultural distributors in our area to supply them with 25 lbs of cilantro weekly and as I increase the size of my growing area they have offered me multiple more products to supply. It's still hard for me to fathom that I am now looking for a property to build a 7000 sq ft grow facility.

If you and CJ ever find yourselves in Idaho, dinner is on me. Thanks again." - Blair Sheffield

From YouTube comments: "Thank you guys for the replies I appreciate it!! I just want to say thank you for putting these videos and info out for us. Because of you guys and a couple other channels y'all really pushed me to getting an LLC and really start pushing microgreens! Growing is easy! It's getting the customers that's been my hurdle."

Another business success: "Learnt the trade from your videos...now have a successful micros business and growing." - Rajn K.

Desert Micro Microgreens: "Hands down the best people to learn from in the Microgreens business realm. I am entirely grateful to On The Grow for my success."

Mastering the Growing Process

Testimonial praising On The Grow microgreen videos for clear instructions on trays grow medium seed density and watering
"Detailed, clear instructions are what sets On The Grow apart"

YouTube comment: "You are the BEST! You are my new 'go to' for all my learning and high quality equipment. I've ordered twice from your website and am completely satisfied with your speed of shipping, customer service and your products. Thank you!!!"

Customer testimonial: "I purchased the 5 pack small grow trays a while back. I think it was $5. I've had nothing but success so far. No bad batches because of the directions on your YouTube videos. Thanks for the work you do."

From our community: "Very thankful for all of your knowledge you two have shared over the years!" - Scott Stevens

Inspiring New Growers

Green Wheel Farms shared on Facebook: "We feel very blessed to have found your videos and thank you both for your inspiration. We love watching your videos and seeing other husband and wife couplepreneurs out there kicking butt and taking names. We've worked together grooming dogs for the last 5 years and we hope that God will bless this next adventure for us as much as He has our other."

From Instagram DMs: "I've watched nearly all of your YouTube videos and have found them all to be super informative but also entertaining. I'm super new to microgreens and hydroponics and I am very glad to have found your content :) Wishing you both lots of success!" - Crystal

Customer Service That Cares

Five star review praising On The Grow fast shipping product quality and Mandi's helpful customer service
"We're here to help you succeed, from purchase to harvest"

YouTube comment: "You are the BEST! You are my new 'go to' for all my learning and high quality equipment. I've ordered twice from your website and am completely satisfied with your speed of shipping, customer service and your products."

We, the owners, respond to messages, answer questions via email and social media, and genuinely care about your success, whether you're growing for yourself or building a business.

Why Choose On The Grow for Microgreen Advice?

We've Been There

We started from scratch just like you. We've made the mistakes, run the experiments, and learned what works through years of hands-on experience, not by reading other people's content.

We're Still Growing

Unlike many educators who stopped growing years ago, we're actively growing microgreens and testing new methods constantly. When we share information, it's current and relevant.

We're Honest About What Works (and What Doesn't)

We'll tell you when something doesn't work well, when there are challenges, and when we've changed our approach based on new information. We'll also tell you when we don't have the answer, or guidance on something we haven't tried ourselves first. Our goal is your success, not selling you on unrealistic expectations.

We Make Complex Things Simple

Our teaching style breaks down complicated concepts into easy-to-follow steps. Whether it's mixing fertilizer, building an aeroponic system, or choosing the right seeds, we make it approachable.

Community feedback: "Very nice! This is a rare video showing true DWC hydroponics done correctly. I'm a veteran of this type of growing and I hope anyone new to DWC comes across this video as its spot on and a fabulous resource."

Our Community is Welcoming

From complete beginners asking basic questions to experienced growers sharing tips, our community is supportive, helpful, and judgment-free.

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning from On The Grow

Is your content really free?

Yes. Our YouTube channel, blog, and all five PDF guides are completely free. We also share daily tips on social media at no cost. Our paid products (book, Beginner's Guide PDF, and Masterclass course) are optional resources for those who want more comprehensive, organized information in one place.

I'm a complete beginner. Where should I start?

Best starting path:

  1. Download our Free Microgreen Seeding Guide and Free Tray-Specific Seeding Guide
  2. Read our Beginner's Guide to Growing Microgreens blog
  3. Browse our Video Library for foundational tutorials
  4. Purchase our $3.99 printable Beginner's Guide PDF
  5. Start with an easy variety like broccoli or radish
  6. Join our On The Grow Community Facebook group to ask questions

Once you've got a few successful grows, consider our Microgreen Masterclass to take your skills to the next level. You can preview the entire curriculum in our course breakdown blog.

Do you only teach hydroponic growing?

No. While we personally prefer reusable mediums and hydroponic methods, we also teach soil-based growing and help you choose the best method for your situation. Our content covers soil, coco coir, reusable silicone grow mediums, hydroponic grow mats, and full hydroponic systems (aeroponic, Kratky, DWC, NFT, flood and drain).

Can I really start a microgreens business from your content?

Yes. Many of our community members have successfully started and scaled microgreens businesses using our free and paid content. Testimonial: "Because of you guys and a couple other channels y'all really pushed me to getting a LLC and really start pushing microgreens!" Our course and book include business-specific modules covering pricing, marketing, sales, legal requirements, and scaling. For restaurant-focused selling, see our Best Microgreens for Restaurants guide.

How is your course different from your YouTube channel?

While our YouTube content is excellent, it's scattered across years of uploads. The course:

  • Organizes everything in logical order
  • Includes updated information
  • Provides exclusive content not on YouTube
  • Saves you hundreds of hours searching for answers
  • Is subject to easy updates on our end, as we learn more

As one student said: "While some information is available on our YouTube channel, it's often scattered and outdated. This course centralizes all topics, saving you hundreds of hours." For a full lesson-by-lesson look at what's covered, see our Microgreen Masterclass course breakdown.

Do you recommend specific seeds?

Yes. We recommend True Leaf Market as our affiliate seed supplier. They carry a wide variety of microgreen seeds, all tested and reliable for our methods.

What about food safety for selling microgreens?

Food safety is critical when selling to the public. We cover food safety throughout our course and book, and we recommend reviewing the FDA FSMA Produce Safety Rule and your local health department requirements before selling. Microgreens are typically held to different standards than sprouts, but rules vary by state and county.

Ready to Start Growing?

Facebook comment from grower using On The Grow techniques to sell out microgreens at farmers markets
"Real techniques that work for real businesses"

Whether you're growing microgreens for yourself, your family, or to build a business, On The Grow has the resources you need to succeed.

Here's how to get started today:

For complete beginners:

  1. Download our free PDF guides
  2. Purchase our $3.99 printable Beginner's Guide PDF
  3. Subscribe to our YouTube channel
  4. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @onthegrowfarms
  5. Browse our blog for specific topics

For serious learners:

For those ready to grow:

Join the On The Grow Community

Since 2019, we've helped hundreds of thousands of people discover the joy of growing fresh, nutrient-dense microgreens at home. We'd love to help you too.

Connect with us:

From our community: "Thank you again for making the community a great place."

Whether you watch one free YouTube video or go all-in with our Masterclass, we're here to support your microgreen growing journey every step of the way.

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Let's grow together! 🌱

Happy growing!

Updated: May 29, 2026
All content is property of On The Grow®, LLC

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