General Questions

Do you ship outside of New Zealand?

Currently we only ship within New Zealand on our NZ site. 

If you would like to buy for someone who lives in Australia, then head over to our Australian store at www.micropod.com.au to ship to their address.  

We cannot ship to an Australian address from the NZ site and vice versa.

Do you deliver to PO Boxes?

Yes! We can deliver to PO Boxes :)

How long will it take for my micropod to arrive?

All orders are couriered and should arrive within 1-3 working days (rural deliveries can take up to 5 working days). The tracking number will be provided once it has been dispatched.

Can I gift a micropod?

Yes - we believe a micropod is a fantastic gift!

If you are purchasing for someone, you can send it straight to them - simply put the giftees address in the shipping address section and we can send it straight to them. No invoices will be included in the package.

We also offer gift wrapping which can be added at checkout - just let us know in the notes which items to wrap.

Is the packaging recyclable?

Yes - our packaging and postage material is all biodegradable, compostable and recyclable cardboard.

Are your seeds organic?

Currently, the Rocket and the Broccoli are the only certified organic seed variety. All the other seed varieties are non-treated and non GMO.

How many microgreens will I get from one seedmat?

Each single seedmat will yield about 1/2 - 1 cup of microgreens (depending on how long you grow them).

The Starter Kit and Continuous Grow Kit come with 6x seedmats, and the Mini Starter Kit comes with 2x seedmats.

How long will the seedmats last?

Each pack of seedmats are labelled with their "Produced on" date. This is the date that the seedmat was made. We recommend growing the seedmat within 9 months of the produced date for optimum yield.  

If you aren't growing them right away, please ensure you store them in a cool, dark and dry place.

Would this would this work for my café/restaurant?

Whether its growing away in the kitchen or even on the tables for customers to harvest themselves as they eat - its rewarding for everyone.

If you would like to talk more about how micropod can work in your restaurant or cafe, please get in touch with us at hi@micropod.nz

Do you have any stockists or physical stores?

Yes, we can be found at some of your favorite stores. Head over to www.micropod.nz/pages/stockists
to see our stockists.

If you would like to become a stockist - get in touch at hi@micropod.nz

Can I place a corporate/bulk order?

Yes! Please get in touch with us regarding corporate/bulk orders here.

Please include the quantity you require and the timeframe.

Growing your micropod

Need help setting up? Watch our quick video to get you started
How much water do I need to add?

You should add 550mL water to your Starter Kit when you set it up for the first time. If you have a Mini Starter Kit or Continuous Grow Kit pods then you should add 280mL water.

If you don't have a measuring cup, then make sure you fill the water to the top indentation on the inside of the tray (see image below for reference). The seedmats should be almost floating in the water and the water will absorb into the mats.

During the more mild seasons, you should only have to add water once, but when its hotter/dryer, the mats can sometimes run dry and some seeds may not have enough time to properly germinate and establish a root system. We recommend adding a little bit more water at the start during those hot summer months.

What variety are my seedmats?

The variety of the microgreens are stamped using 3-letters on the back of the seed mat (this should be facing down when planting).

RKT - Rocket

MIZ - Mizuna

RMUS - Red Mustard

BRO - Broccoli

CHI - Chia

PAK - Pak Choi

MUS - Mustard

WEL - Wellness Blend

SPI - Spicy Blend

It's best to plant varieties with similar germination times together. The germination times are detailed on the card that comes with your seedmats.

How long should keep on the lid?

The temperature of your home and the variety of seed will determine how long germination takes. Generally, 2-5 days should be sufficient. You can lift the lid off to check - once the majority of your greens are between 10-20mm high OR they are about to reach the ceiling of the lid, it's time to take off the lid.

The microgreens will appear thin and yellow after the lid is removed. They are now ready for some light!

 You may also notice little white fluffy stands on top of the mat - these are actually the fine root hairs and very beneficial for the plant during the beginning of its life.  To read more about these fluffy white hairs, check out our blog post here.

 How much light do the microgreens need?

We recommend placing your micropod indoors on a windowsill with good natural light. If you don’t have a sunny windowsill, a room with good overhead lighting will do.

If there is not enough light the microgreens will be paler in colour, long and leggy, and the leaves will be smaller - but not to worry, the nutrients and flavor will still be there!

Help! Not all my seeds have germinated

Firstly, please check that you have added the correct amount of water into the tray at setup.

If there wasn't enough water at the start, germination will be patchy as the seeds have not had access to sufficient water.

We have tried to select seeds with similar germination times but there are some varieties which are slightly slower to start (especially during the colder temperatures). 

The Rocket, Mizuna and Kale are fast germinating while the Pak Choi and Mustard may take a little longer. The Cress takes the longest at about 16-21 days.  It's best to plant similar germinating varieties together.

If one side is not germinating as well, please leave the lid on a little longer for the weaker side to catch up. However, even if the lid is removed early, the slower side will eventually catch up given the right temperatures and sunlight.

What is the optimum growing temperature?

Temperature plays a major role in how quickly microgreens grow. Microgreens can be grown indoors all year round. Generally, between 18–24 degrees is optimal. Below 12 degrees and the microgreens will struggle to germinate and above 25 degrees they're may get too hot and start "cooking" the seeds.

Do I need to add more water as the microgreens grow?

The trays are designed with the perfect volume of water in mind so you should only have to add water once (at the very start). The roots will grow faster than the water depletes.

However, if you'd like grow the greens longer (past the microgreens stage), topping up the water may be required. Water should not cover more than half the roots. The roots require access to oxygen to be healthy.  

In hotter weather, you may need to top up the water so the mats and roots don't dry out.

Do I have to harvest all my microgreens at once?

It's best to harvest your microgreens when you need them. It'll be the tastiest and most nutritious!

However, if you just can't wait to start the next cycle and would like to store them, then simply place the cut microgreens in a airtight resealable bag/container with a wet paper towel in the fridge. They will last up to a week like this.

Can I put a new mat on while the other tray is still growing?

You should harvest all the microgreens before starting a new cycle as the humidity dome will not fit when you have unharvested greens.

If you can't wait that long to get your dose of fresh microgreen you can have multiple micropods on a cycle to get a steady supply!

What do I do after harvesting?

When the mats are fully harvested, Simply pop the used mats in the compost or dirt so the nutrients can be fed back into your garden. To start a new cycle, give the grills and tray a quick rinse and you'll be ready to grow again.

If you have run out of seedmats, be sure to purchase your favourites here.

Seedmat Questions

What are the seedmats made of?

The seedmats are made from coconut fibres and wood pulp. These all-natural materials make our seedmats fully compostable.

Can I use a seed mat more than once?

No, the seedmats are one-time use only and once harvested, they don't grow back. It’s time to start the cycle again with new seed mats.

Pod Tip: If you put the used seed mats into your garden and water it regularly you may get a second harvest from the slower emerging seeds!

What’s in the nutrients?

We use a hydroponic mineral organic hybrid nutrient. There are no GMOs, pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, plant hormones, or any other suspicious substance.

Using nutrients enables the microgreens to grow without any soil provide them with the trace elements that results in a healthier and better tasting greens.

What is the best way to store my unused seedmats?

Ensure you store your seedmats in a cool, dry and dark place.  This can greatly affect the growth later on if they are not stored correctly.

How are the seed placed so perfectly?

We have a team of ambidextrous ninjas trained in the art of tweezers ;)

Can't find what you're looking for?

Send us an email to tell us what's up and someone from our team will get back to you as soon as possible. Be sure to include your order number (if you have one).

Please email us at hi@micropod.nz