Quick answer: Of the 24 varieties in our Seed Calculator, 11 are soaked before sowing and 13 are sown dry. Radish and alfalfa soak 4–6 hours; methi, moong and beetroot 6–8 hours; and peas, sunflower, wheatgrass, coriander and spinach 8–12 hours. Small brassica seeds — mustard, broccoli, kale, cabbage, rocket — and tiny seeds like basil and amaranth are always sown dry.
Which Microgreen Seeds Need Soaking?
Soaking is essential for some varieties and unnecessary — even harmful — for others. This is the official BageechaBox soaking and quantity guide, matching our Seed Calculator. Quantities are for medium-density sowing in a 10×10 inch tray.
Seeds That Need Soaking
| Variety | Soak Time | Seed Qty (per tray) |
| Alfalfa | 4–6 hours | 8–10 g |
| Radish (Mooli) | 4–6 hours | 15–18 g |
| China Rose Radish | 4–6 hours | 15–18 g |
| Beetroot | 6–8 hours | 12–15 g |
| Fenugreek (Methi) | 6–8 hours | 30–35 g |
| Moong | 6–8 hours | 40–50 g |
| Coriander (crush lightly first) | 8–12 hours | 20–25 g |
| Spinach (Palak) | 8–12 hours | 20–25 g |
| Peas (Matar) | 8–12 hours | 50–70 g |
| Sunflower | 8–12 hours | 60–80 g |
| Wheatgrass | 8–12 hours | 60–80 g |
Also soaked: Swiss chard (4–6 hours) and moringa (12–24 hours, the longest of any seed we sell).
Seeds to Sow Dry
These are either tiny, quick to germinate on their own, or — like basil — form a gel when wet. Sow them completely dry:
| Variety | Seed Qty (per tray) |
| Basil | 3–4 g |
| Amaranth | 4–5 g |
| Rocket (Arugula) | 5–6 g |
| Mustard — black and yellow | 6–8 g |
| Kale | 6–8 g |
| Purple Kale | 8–12 g |
| Broccoli | 8–10 g |
| Cabbage | 8–10 g |
| Clover | 8–10 g |
| Pak Choi | 10–15 g |
| Turnip (Shalgam) | 15–20 g |
| Purple Sango Radish | 15–20 g |
After Soaking — Sow Immediately
Drain soaked seeds through a colander. Rinse once with fresh water. Spread immediately on prepared cocopeat — don't let them sit more than 2 hours or they may begin to ferment. Ready to sow your seeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do broccoli microgreen seeds need soaking?
No. Broccoli, like mustard, kale and cabbage, is sown dry. Use 8–10g per 10×10 tray.
Do radish seeds need soaking for microgreens?
Yes — a short 4–6 hour soak. The same applies to China Rose radish. (Purple Sango radish is sown dry.)
What happens if you soak basil seeds?
Basil forms a gel (mucilage) coating almost immediately in water. The seeds clump into a sticky mass that is impossible to spread evenly. Always sow basil dry.
How long should you soak fenugreek (methi) seeds?
6–8 hours in room-temperature water. This softens the hard seed coat for faster, more even germination.
Which seed needs the longest soak time?
Moringa, at 12–24 hours. Of the everyday varieties, peas, sunflower, wheatgrass, coriander and spinach need the longest: 8–12 hours.
How much seed do I need per 10x10 inch tray?
It varies widely: basil needs only 3–4g, while peas need 50–70g. See the tables above, or use our Seed Calculator for any tray size.
Can you soak microgreen seeds for too long?
Yes. Soaking beyond the recommended window increases the risk of the seeds fermenting or rotting before they reach the tray, especially in warm Indian weather.
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