Fundamental Rule: Right Equipment for the Job. Microgreens are the stage between SPROUTS and BABY GREENS. Microgreens are grown in trays that allow for germination, black out time, and growth to harvest. The Tower Garden is not suited for Microgreens. The Tower Garden extension set is perfectly suited for growing Baby Greens. See Here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/R0IVnmsAzio YouTube has several good tutors that will guide you for microgreens. I now regularly grow eight trays of microgreens. If I can learn this, anyone can. Just harvested Sunflower Greens. The Kale and Broccoli microgreens and Speckled Pea shoots need a few more days. I use silicone grow mats for Kale and Broccoli microgreens. Speckled Pea shoots grow very well without any grow medium. The mesh tray is a cross hatch pattern just smaller than the Pea Seeds. Sunflower greens have been very successful using a silicone grow mat. But too many un-germinated seeds. So I am going to change over to Coco Coir for Sunflower Microgreens.

See here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QITFOTV3hoE Just be aware that Chad also uses horizontal lights and includes three UV/Black Lights. Chad mentioned a few weeks ago that he will be producing a complete video guide to indoor Tower Garden lighting. I am sure he will also include guidance for those of us who plan to do a "Mixed" Tower Garden. Meaning lettuces and baby greens at the top // Big leafy plants like Kale and Chard in the middle // Heavy feeder Brassicas like broccoli and cauliflower at the bottom.

FYI from another Thread: Chad Miner • Oct 30 @R Michael Moore Great question — and you’re absolutely right to notice that the General Hydroponics (GH) feed charts are written in “growth stage” language (Seedling → Grow → Bloom → Ripen), not by crop type. That’s because GH formulas are designed to provide a base nutrient ratio (N–P–K + micros) that you can tweak depending on what the plant is focusing on: leaf growth, root/fruit development, or finishing. When you’re running a mixed Tower Garden with plants like broccoli/cauliflower (heavy feeders, higher calcium and potassium needs), kale/chard (moderate feeders), and lettuce (light feeders, prefers lower EC), here’s the approach I recommend: 🌱 1. Understand the “why” behind GH stages - Seedling phase = low EC (0.4–0.8) → gentle nitrogen for root and leaf initiation. - Grow/Vegetative = higher N for leaf and stem growth (EC 1.2–1.8). - Bloom/Fruiting = more phosphorus and potassium (EC 1.8–2.4) for flowering and fruit set. These “stages” apply more to fruiting crops — leafy greens often stay in the “Grow” stage the whole cycle. 🧪 2. Find a balanced “middle ground” mix When you’re feeding a mixed tower, you’re creating a shared reservoir — so choose a middle-ground EC and ratio that supports the least tolerant crop (usually lettuce). - For your setup: 1.4–1.6 EC is a safe sweet spot. - Follow the GH “Vegetative” recipe, but lean slightly lower on Micro and Grow if you see tip burn on the top-tier lettuces. - Avoid switching to “Bloom” unless your peppers or broccoli are actively flowering — they can finish just fine with a balanced Grow ratio. 🌿 3. Tier your planting strategy You already positioned plants smartly: - Bottom: heavy feeders (broccoli, cauliflower) where nutrients are strongest. - Middle: moderate feeders (kale, chard). - Top: light feeders (leafy greens).Keep that structure and monitor each tier weekly — adjust your EC or top off with plain water when greens start showing signs of overfeeding (dark green leaves, leaf curl, or tip burn).

Here is Chad's reply to me regarding this same question: Chad Miner • 25d @R Michael Moore Great question — and you’re absolutely right to notice that the General Hydroponics (GH) feed charts are written in “growth stage” language (Seedling → Grow → Bloom → Ripen), not by crop type. That’s because GH formulas are designed to provide a base nutrient ratio (N–P–K + micros) that you can tweak depending on what the plant is focusing on: leaf growth, root/fruit development, or finishing. When you’re running a mixed Tower Garden with plants like broccoli/cauliflower (heavy feeders, higher calcium and potassium needs), kale/chard (moderate feeders), and lettuce (light feeders, prefers lower EC), here’s the approach I recommend: 🌱 1. Understand the “why” behind GH stages - Seedling phase = low EC (0.4–0.8) → gentle nitrogen for root and leaf initiation. - Grow/Vegetative = higher N for leaf and stem growth (EC 1.2–1.8). - Bloom/Fruiting = more phosphorus and potassium (EC 1.8–2.4) for flowering and fruit set. These “stages” apply more to fruiting crops — leafy greens often stay in the “Grow” stage the whole cycle. 🧪 2. Find a balanced “middle ground” mix When you’re feeding a mixed tower, you’re creating a shared reservoir — so choose a middle-ground EC and ratio that supports the least tolerant crop (usually lettuce). - For your setup: 1.4–1.6 EC is a safe sweet spot. - Follow the GH “Vegetative” recipe, but lean slightly lower on Micro and Grow if you see tip burn on the top-tier lettuces. - Avoid switching to “Bloom” unless your peppers or broccoli are actively flowering — they can finish just fine with a balanced Grow ratio. 🌿 3. Tier your planting strategy You already positioned plants smartly: - Bottom: heavy feeders (broccoli, cauliflower) where nutrients are strongest. - Middle: moderate feeders (kale, chard). - Top: light feeders (leafy greens).Keep that structure and monitor each tier weekly — adjust your EC or top off with plain water when greens start showing signs of overfeeding (dark green leaves, leaf curl, or tip burn).

I am preparing a Master Chart just for this reason so I can track pH and EC and nutrition from General Hydroponics for the complete growth cycle for a "Mixed" Tower Garden. Sorry it is not ready yet. I posted an early version but it was neither complete nor accurate. So I removed it for now. Happy to cooperate and work together with you but I am not ready. Busy with my other garden systems for a few more weeks. Two Noobies. What could possibly go wrong??🥦🌱

@Chad Miner Please advise.

I didn't receive a 2nd email. I replied as instructed by email three times (10/22 //10/29 //11/5) without any response. Estimate for my time spent at approx 4.5 minutes. 😁 Please consider putting the VOXER offer here. Seems that VOXER is a really good idea. The time management part once established is minimal. Thanks. I am still in education mode for the Tower Garden. Thanks for asking. I actually have four different systems that will gradually come online. Microgreens (8 trays) already in regular production. EarthBox SIPs (4 units) now ready for first planting. Just learning germination process in RockWool now. That germination knowledge will immediately apply to the Tower Garden. Then in a few months, two units of Vego 2'x6' Self Watering 17" raised metal beds. Your guidance on nutrient management is going to prove to be the key step for the Tower Garden. I don't feel overwhelmed anymore. Just moving in small steps. I do have interior space via two new extensions added to the meditation center that I manage. So the indoor lighting support was very helpful. Not sure if I will go full indoor or not. Very much looking forward to your complete indoor Tower Garden demo. I have had whole house solar for about two years. Also on the agenda is rainwater catchment. I am moving toward some degree of independence from public utilities. Guam was hit by a Super Typhoon in May 2023. Weeks and weeks without power and water services. Never again do I want to go through that.