typical mistakes

not filling bowl completely leading to improperly watered seed pads
pour the tap water evenly over each pad until the ceramic bowl is filled to the brim and the pads are completely soaked. ingarden works as a water bank, refill as needed. however, do not pour any more water over the seeds during the growth phase, rather refill the bowl from the side.

timer is not set to ideal cycle
for best results, we recommend that you set the timer. to do this, simply press the timer button for 3 seconds. after that, the light is on and off for 12 hours. just the way your microgreens like it.
pro tip: we recommend synchronizing your ingarden with your own personal sleep cycle. simply start your ingarden light cycle when you wake up and then it will automatically shut off 12 hours later when you go to sleep.

the brightness adjuster is not utilized
ingarden is a design piece and can easily make an impression in your home. if you have a date night or dinner party and don’t want the ingarden light to interrupt (understandable ;-), feel free to dim the light with the dimmer button.

ingarden is exposed to direct sunlight (e.g. sits by a window)
ingarden should only be used indoors and performs best in shady locations at room temperature. for best results, do not place your ingarden in direct sunlight or in areas prone to hot temperatures.

you miss our recipes on instagram and in our newsletter
be sure not to miss anything on our instagram profiles ingarden_com and healthywith_ingarden! here we regularly share the most delicious dishes to use your microgreens and other news. and shhh: we hide great discounts in our newsletter from time to time ;-) also, check out our blog.

how to replace your wicks
we recommend replacing your wicks around every 3-5 harvests.
the main thing that will tell you your wicks needs replacing are
- there's a lot of old roots strangling the wicks
- seed pads are not getting enough moisture
- the wicks seem to be dryers & compacted (vs their original fluffiness).
watch this quick video on how to re-weave your wicks through the wick holder for replacement.
any questions?
different types of microgreens have different heights and growth rates due to variations in their genetics and growth patterns. the height of a microgreen can also depend on factors such as the amount of light, temperature, and humidity they receive.
some microgreen varieties, such as mustard and radish, tend to grow taller than others, such as broccoli and red cabbage, which typically have a shorter height. the growth rate of microgreens can also affect their height, as some varieties may grow faster or slower than others.
the seeds have the name of what they are printed in a green food-grade ink. this will vanish when you pour water so we highly recommend you write down the names of the microgreens. each superfood pack comes with a postcard for you to write your microgreen names. place this postcard next to your ingarden to see it easily.
depending on the type of microgreens, the optimal temperature for growth is between 15 and 22 °C (60 - 75 °F). microgreens love an even temperature, that's when they develop fastest. at higher temperatures, bacteria and fungus can flourish while your seedlings dry out faster. at lower temperatures, the plants can absorb less water and develop more slowly, and you could have problems with mold.
tap water works great in your ingarden unless your tap water contains large amounts of chloramine used to purify it. You may also use distilled or spring water.
it is best practice to leave ingarden to grow for 7 days. after day 7, we recommend harvesting your microgreens within 3-5 days. once you have harvested, simply refill your ingarden with water and add new ingarden pads.
cleaning your ingarden once a month ensures great microgreen quality and that you won’t run into the risk of unwanted odor. the ceramic bowl, trays, wick holders, tray holders, and wicks are dishwasher safe (max. 55 °C/131 °F temperature).
after each harvest, manually remove the microgreen roots from the wicks under running tap water. afterwards, make sure to twirl the wicks before placing them in the wick holders. this will prolongate the wick usage and encourage the transpiration process.
once your growing cycle is complete and you have harvested all of your microgreens, you can start growing new microgreens right away. simply compost your used ingarden pads, place new pads on your growing beds, and water completely until the new pads are saturated.
our organic seeds are sourced from trusted growers in emilia romagna and the netherlands, and are confirmed as organic by accredited authorities who ensure no artificial fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides are used. each seed batch is tested for microbiological suitability and germination rates guaranteed at 90%. they are handled by certified organic manufacturers to maintain hygiene and avoid cross-contamination. our seeds are free from pesticides, herbicides, and gmos.
we recommend using the brightest light setting. to do this, hold down the timer button for 3 seconds, until the light blinks. all microgreen varieties will grow regardless of the strength of the light, but the light on the timer will promote the optimal (most) growth.
download the PDF-file below for ingarden manual, in English & German