Most people who start growing microgreens land on one or two varieties and stick with them. Pea shoots because they're forgiving. Broccoli because of the sulforaphane articles. That's it. That's the rotation.
But the world of varieties of microgreens is wider than most growers ever explore — twelve distinct crops, each with its own flavor profile, texture, color, and kitchen purpose. You don't need a greenhouse. You don't need a garden. You just need one tray, one variety at a time, and a little curiosity.
This is the 2027 Microgreens Growing Challenge. Twelve months, twelve varieties, one new crop each month. By December, you'll have grown everything from peppery radish to nutty sunflower to sweet clover — and your cooking will never look at a garnish the same way again.
Why One Variety Per Month Actually Works
The beauty of this challenge is the pace. You're not committing to twelve trays at once. You're committing to ten square inches of soil, once a month, and a seven-to-twelve-day grow cycle. That's it.
Growing one new variety every month does something a single-variety rotation never can: it builds genuine expertise. You'll start to understand what "peppery" means when you've tasted radish vs. mustard vs. arugula across three months. You'll notice which varieties reward dense planting, which need more water, which pop under natural light.
Each harvest also keeps the kitchen relationship alive. You're not growing microgreens in the abstract — you're growing specific things for specific meals. Cilantro for summer tacos in June. Kale for autumn soups in October. Wheatgrass for a December reset. The seasonal rhythm makes the whole challenge feel intentional rather than arbitrary.
And if you've never grown microgreens before, we've laid out everything you need to know in our beginner's guide to growing your first tray in 7 days.
What You'll Need (Less Than You Think)
The whole challenge runs on two things: a tray and seeds.
The Microgreens Starter Kit ($29.99) is your permanent base for the year. It includes the tray, dome lid, and organic grow mat — everything you need to set up a new batch. Each month, you grab a new seed packet and go. The kit doesn't wear out. It doesn't need replacing. You just refill it.
Each seed packet in the challenge comes pre-paired with its own organic grow mat. At $3.99 per variety, you're spending less on a month of fresh microgreens than on a single bag of salad greens that wilts by Thursday.
That's the whole setup. One kit, twelve seed packets across the year. Let's get into the calendar.
The 2027 Microgreens Growing Challenge: Month by Month
🌱 January — Pea Shoots
Flavor: Sweet, tender, fresh — like spring peas in concentrated form.
Best in: Stir-fries, soups, grain bowls, or on toast with ricotta.
Grow time: 10–12 days
Get Pea Shoots Seeds →
Start the year with the easiest crowd-pleaser in the lineup. Pea shoots are forgiving for beginners, grow tall and lush, and add a natural sweetness to January meals that feel otherwise heavy. One of the most visually satisfying harvests — big, full, and deeply green.
🥦 February — Broccoli
Flavor: Mildly bitter, slightly grassy, concentrated brassica flavor.
Best in: Smoothies, grain bowls, on eggs, or layered in wraps.
Grow time: 7–10 days
Get Broccoli Seeds →
February is the month for the most nutritionally studied microgreen on the list. Broccoli microgreens are among the richest food sources of sulforaphane — a compound that's been the subject of significant cancer prevention research. They grow fast, germinate reliably, and are worth growing at least once.
🌶️ March — Radish Confetti Mix
Flavor: Crisp, bold, spicy — the hottest crop in this challenge.
Best in: Avocado toast, tacos, sushi, ramen, Asian noodle dishes.
Grow time: 5–7 days
Get Radish Confetti Mix Seeds →
March wakes you up. Radish is the fastest-growing crop in the challenge — five to seven days from seed to harvest — and delivers a punch of heat that turns a simple bowl into something memorable. The Confetti Mix adds visual drama too: a blend of colors that makes every plate feel like a restaurant dish.
🌻 April — Sunflower
Flavor: Nutty, satisfying, almost chewy texture with mild sweetness.
Best in: Sandwiches, grain bowls, salads, or as a snack straight from the tray.
Grow time: 10–12 days
Get Sunflower Seeds →
Sunflower microgreens are the most substantial crop in the challenge. They're thick-stemmed, satisfying to eat, and genuinely snackable. First-time sunflower growers are almost always surprised by how good they taste on their own.
🌿 May — Basil Genovese
Flavor: Sweet, aromatic, classic Italian basil in concentrated miniature.
Best in: Pizza, pasta, caprese, anything that wants fresh basil.
Grow time: 10–14 days
Get Basil Genovese Seeds →
Basil microgreens take a little longer than the others, but May is the right month — you're heading into grilling and garden party season, and fresh basil is suddenly relevant on everything. The microgreen version delivers the same aromatic punch as full-sized basil leaves, in a fraction of the space.
🌿 June — Cilantro
Flavor: Citrusy, herbal, slightly peppery — peak cilantro at micro scale.
Best in: Tacos, salsas, guacamole, ceviche, summer rice dishes.
Grow time: 12–14 days
Get Cilantro Seeds →
June is taco season, and cilantro microgreens are the obvious choice. They're the slowest-growing crop in the challenge — worth starting mid-May if you want a June harvest. The flavor is brighter and more citrusy than full-grown cilantro, and they hold their delicacy in ways that a chopped herb doesn't.
🥗 July — Arugula
Flavor: Bold, peppery, assertive — the salad green that tastes like something.
Best in: Summer salads, bruschetta, flatbreads, pizza, pasta.
Grow time: 7–10 days
Get Arugula Seeds →
Arugula microgreens bring the same boldness as full-grown arugula, but in a more delicate, tender form. In July, when you want salads that actually taste like something, arugula microgreens do the work. They stand up to dressings and hold their flavor even when warm ingredients are added.
💜 August — Amaranth (Garnet Red)
Flavor: Mild, earthy, slightly beet-like with a striking magenta color.
Best in: Grain bowls, salads, garnishes, smoothie bowls — anywhere color matters.
Grow time: 8–12 days
Get Amaranth Seeds →
August is the most visually dramatic month in the challenge. Garnet Red Amaranth grows in deep magenta and pink tones that make any dish look like it was styled for a photo shoot. The flavor is mild and approachable — but the color is the real star.
🌱 September — Mustard
Flavor: Spicy, wasabi-adjacent, sharper than radish with a longer heat finish.
Best in: Charcuterie boards, roasted meats, sandwiches, ramen.
Grow time: 7–10 days
Get Mustard Seeds →
As temperatures drop and cooking gets richer, mustard microgreens earn their place. The heat is more complex and lingering than radish — with a horseradish quality that makes it the most condiment-like microgreen in the challenge. Use it where you'd use whole-grain mustard.
🍂 October — Kale Kalefetti Mix
Flavor: Mild, slightly earthy, tender — much gentler than full-grown kale.
Best in: Autumn soups, grain bowls, smoothies, egg dishes.
Grow time: 8–12 days
Get Kale Kalefetti Mix Seeds →
October is soup season, and the Kalefetti Mix is perfect for it. A multi-colored blend of kale varieties that doesn't have any of the bitterness or toughness of full-grown kale. Float a handful on top of a white bean soup or blend it into a smoothie — it disappears into the flavor while adding real nutritional weight.
🌸 November — Clover
Flavor: Mild, fresh, subtly sweet — the most neutral crop in the challenge.
Best in: Wraps, sandwiches, salads, anything where you want greens without heat.
Grow time: 7–10 days
Get Clover Seeds →
Clover is the palate cleanser of the challenge. After months of bold flavors — mustard, arugula, radish — November brings something gentle. Light, fresh, and almost universally liked. Great on holiday leftovers, in turkey wraps, or anywhere you'd want greens that don't compete.
🌾 December — Wheatgrass
Flavor: Intensely grassy, earthy, chlorophyll-forward — best juiced or blended.
Best in: Juice shots, smoothies, holiday green drinks.
Grow time: 8–10 days
Get Wheatgrass Seeds →
End the year with the classic. Wheatgrass is unlike anything else in the challenge — it's not a garnish, it's a whole different category. Chlorophyll-dense, deeply earthy, and perfect for December when you want something that feels like it's counteracting the season's excess. A fitting close to twelve months of growing.
Your Starting Point: The Microgreens Starter Kit
Every month of this challenge runs through the same base setup. The Microgreens Starter Kit ($29.99) includes everything you need to run one tray at a time — the growing tray, dome lid, and organic grow mat. Wash it between batches, refill with a new seed packet, and go again.
Each of the twelve seed packets above comes with its own organic grow mat included. You're not managing a separate supply chain. You're just picking a new variety each month and dropping it in the tray you already have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a new tray every month?
No. The Microgreens Starter Kit tray is reusable. After each harvest, give it a rinse, let it dry, and it's ready for the next variety. The grow mat that comes with each seed packet is replaced every grow cycle — that's built into the seed packet price.
What if I miss a month?
The challenge doesn't expire. If November gets away from you, pick it up in December with two varieties. The only rule is that you try something new. The calendar is a guide, not a contract.
Can I really grow microgreens indoors year-round?
Yes. Microgreens don't need outdoor conditions, seasons, or even direct sunlight to grow well. A countertop with a bright window — or a small grow light — is enough. All twelve varieties in this challenge can be grown on a kitchen counter in any month of the year. For more, see our full guide to growing microgreens through fall and winter.
What's the easiest variety to start with if I'm a beginner?
Pea shoots (January in this challenge) and radish (March) are the most forgiving for first-time growers. They germinate reliably, grow fast, and make it easy to feel successful on your first try. We've also put together a list of 7 microgreens you can't mess up if you want more options before committing to the monthly calendar.
How long does each harvest last in the fridge?
Most microgreens keep for 5–7 days when stored dry in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Harvest right before using when possible for the best texture.
Twelve Months, Twelve Discoveries
By the time December rolls around and you're blending a shot of homegrown wheatgrass, you'll have a working knowledge of twelve different varieties of microgreens — their flavors, textures, best uses in the kitchen. You'll know which ones your household reaches for and which ones surprise you.
That's the real output of this challenge. Not just fresh greens on the plate, but a growing habit that sticks. One tray. One new variety. Every month.
The Microgreens Starter Kit is everything you need to start — and to keep going all year.
Author: Aquager · Published: June 13, 2026 · Updated: June 13, 2026
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