Planting Pea shoots, Sun shoots, and Micro radish

Steps overview.
1a. !
1b. !

Wash and sterilize your trays

Soak and sterilize your seed (pea and sun only)

1. !
2. !
3. !
4. !
5. !
6. !

Fill trays with peat based soil mix

Make sure the mix is finely ground up
Use a tamper to flatten the soil firmly
Water before spreading seeds (not for micro radish)
Spread seeds out with your hands evenly
Cover the seeds with an empty flat, make sure its sterile.

Step 1a. Wash and sterilize your trays

First, scrub your trays with a brush to
remove all visible organic residue.
You can also use a pressure washer
if you have access to one.

Wash your trays. Spray off any left

over residue.

Then you need to sterilize the trays.

(soak them in a 1/100 bleach water
solution for 5-10 seconds). 3/100
ratio for food grade hydrogen
peroxide.

Step 1b. Sterilize your seed

Its important to sterilize so that you reduce fungus problems on your shoots.
I use a mesh or cheese cloth like bags to soak my seeds. I sterilize the seeds in this bag, and they
stay in there when you rinse and drain them.
To sterilize them. Fill a small clean and sterile tote or bucket with 2 liters of water, then add 20 ml of
white vinegar and 20 ml of food grade hydrogen peroxide. If you need to add more water, just adjust
the mix ratio accordingly.
Let them soak with the solution for 10 minutes, no more. It can kill the seed if they soak too long.
After sterilizing, rinse them out, then fill the bucket or tote with warm water, and let them soak
overnight.

Drain, rinse, and plant them the next

day. You can take a little more time to
plant if you need to, but dont like the
sprouts get any longer than 2 mm. If
they get too long, they take longer to
reorientate themselves when planted,
which can affect your yield.
SEEDING RATES:
Pea! 300g dry seed / flat
Sun! 150g dry seed / flat

Planting pea shoots. (same protocol for sun shoots)

Step 1. Spread out the soil. Fill trays with peat based soil mix. I use sunshine mix 3.
I use 1 deep trays. If you dont have them, 2 will work. For the sake of my demonstration fill them
almost all the way to the top of the tray. When you add the seed, it will almost be at the edge. Thats
what we want. Makes harvesting all the shoots right to the very bottom of the stem possible. Higher
yield!

Step 2. Tamper down the soil very firmly. You want a very flat surface where the soil doesnt easily
move around.

Step 3. Water before spreading seeds (not for micro radish)

I water in a very even pattern moving all the way around the edges of the tray, then once more over
the entire tray zig zagging evenly throughout. You will essentially be going over the edges twice.

Step 4. Spread seeds out with your hands evenly.

Step 5. Cover the seeds with an

empty flat, make sure its sterile.

Step 6. Add some weight on top of the trays. Could be a couple 2x4 pieces of wood.
I use a sheet of coroplast, then put a batch of previous week micros on top.

Planting Micro radish

Steps 1 and 2 are the same as pea and sunflower, except you dont need to water before you plant the
seed. Because were going to be covering these seeds with a dusting of soil, we need to water
afterwards anyways. If you happen to accidentally water before spreading the seed, its not that big a
deal, you just need to water again after you sprinkler some soil.
Use an accurate measuring cup. Fill to 80-100 ml and sprinkler gently over the tray. Try to get the most
distributed even covering as possible.

Next, sprinkle some soil over the

seed. This is just a light covering and
it helps achieve an even germination
rate.

Follow all the same next steps as sun and pea. Watering, then covering with a clean tray, then
leaving for 5-7 days. Keep and eye on them. Theyre ready to uncover and put under the light after
5-7 days. Radish pops up quicker than both. And pea is usually a day or two before sunflower.
After 4-6 days of germinating, the radish will have emerged and will lift up the trays on top. At this
point, take your hand, and rub gently over the tray, this will break up any excess soil on top.
Otherwise you can get uneven growth.
Dont water the day you expose them to light. Wait until the next morning. When you first uncover
the crop, they will still have a decent amount of moisture in the soil. Too much can lead to early
fungus problems.

Indoor Small Scale

Indoor Small Scale Model

Operation

INDOOR LOW COST MODEL

REVENUE BENCH MARK
Operation

REVENUE BENCH MARK

1.5 staff, 1 self employed

1 person 20 hours / week
Double unit 6 levels 48 flats, twice per week
same size unit
96 flats at $15 each / week
96 $15
$1440 30 flats / week
30 $15
$450
per month
$5760 per month
$1,800
Gross first year (4,608 flats/year)
$69120 Gross first year (4,608 flats/year)
$21,600
Asset investments
-$2,446 Asset investments
-$2,446
Operational expenses
-$7,132.15 Operational expenses
-$2,406.50
Employee - 20 hours / week labour ($15/hr) yearly
-$14,400 Employee - 20 hours / week labour ($15/hr) yearly
First year net revenue (self employed income)
Second year and thereafter NET
Equipment

Cost

$45,141.85 First year net revenue (self employed income) $16,747.50

$47,587.85 Second year and thereafter NET
$19,193.50
#

Total

Equipment

Cost

Total

Start up expenses
Growing Equipment
light ballasts / 2 bulbs
power bars
shelving units. 40 flats
electric timer
hardware for fixtures
watering wand
wood tamper
1" flats case 100
hoses and manifolds
dehumidifier
stand up fan
infrared heater (optional)

$25
$20
$200
$20
$30
$30
$2
$160
$100
$200
$50
$200

Operating costs
peat based soil mix (50 flats)
$28
pea seed 25 kg
$31
sun seed 10 kg
$54.90
radish seed 25 kg
$157.50
compostable packaging case 1000 ($.15) $150
utility per month
$100
bulk packaging, bags and ties
$300
Total

12
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1

92
20
26
4.5
2
12
1

Processing / Post Harvest Equipment

harvest knives
$20
2
harvest bins
$8
8
rubbermaid totes
$8 15
spinner (washing machine)
$100
1
mesh washing bags for spinning $10
6
drying rack
$50
1
cooler (basic fridge)
$250
1
work tables
$150
1
scales
$60
2

$300
$40
$200
$20
$30
$30
$2
$320
$100
$200
$50
$200 Total

$2,576
$620
$1,427.40
$708.75
$300
$1,200
$300
$7,132.15

Operating costs
peat based soil mix (50 flats)
$28 29
pea seed 25 kg
$31
8
sun seed 10 kg
$54.90 10
radish seed 25 kg
$157.50
1
compostable packaging case 1000
$150
($.15) 2
utility per month
$20 12
bulk packaging, bags and ties
$100
1

$40
$64
$120
$100
$60
$50
$250
$150
$120

$2,446

$812
$248
$549
$157.50
$300
$240
$100
$2,406.50

Field Micros

Field Micros Model

Operation

FIELD MICROS MODEL

REVENUE BENCH MARK
Operation

20 hour week model

1 person 20 hours / week (self
employed)
12'x50' greenhouse/shade tunnel.
32 6' beds
$162 / bed @ 8 beds / week.
per month (April thru September, 6
months)
Gross first year 6 month season
(2,073.6 lbs/year)
Asset investments
Operational expenses

$1,296
$5,184
$31,104
-$6,074
-$1,652.80

First year net revenue (self employed

income)
Second year and thereafter NET

Equipment

greenhouse irrigation
watering wand

10 hour week model

1 person 10 hours / week
(self employed)
12'x50' greenhouse/shade
tunnel. 32 6' beds
$162 / bed @ 4 beds / week.
per month (April thru
September, 6 months)
Gross first year 6 month
season (1,036.8 lbs/year)
Asset investments
Operational expenses

$648
$2,592
$15,552
-$6,074
-$876.40

$23,377.20 First year net revenue (self

employed income)
$29,451.20 Second year and thereafter
NET
Cost

Total

Growing Equipment
Bed boards. 30"x72"
Buckets for soaking
rototiller
greenhouse 12x50 (johnny's
caterpiller)
shade cloth

REVENUE BENCH MARK

$5

free
$4,000
$500

1
1

$200

$350
$30

1
1

$40
$0
$4,000
$500

Equipment
Processing / Post Harvest
Equipment
harvest knives
harvest bins
rubbermaid totes
spinner (washing machine)

$200 mesh washing bags for

spinning
$350 drying rack
$30 cooler (basic fridge)
work tables
scales

$8,601.60
$14,675.60

Cost

Total

$20
$8
$8
$100

2
8
15
1

$40
$64
$120
$100

$10

$60

$50
$250
$150
$60

1
1
1
2

$50
$250
$150
$120

Total
Operating costs for 20 hour
pea seed 25 kg
sun seed 10 kg
radish seed 25 kg
compostable packaging case 1000
($.15)
bulk packaging, bags and ties
Total

$31
$54.90
$157.50
$150

9
12
2
2

$279
$658.80
$315
$300

$100

$100
$1,652.80

Operating costs for 10

hour
pea seed 25 kg
sun seed 10 kg
radish seed 25 kg
compostable packaging
case 1000 ($.15)
bulk packaging, bags and
ties
Total

$6,074

$31 4.5
$54.90
6
$157.50
1
$150
1
$100

$139.50
$329.40
$157.50
$150
$100
$876.40

Medium Scale Greenhouse

Medium Scale Greenhouse Model

Operation
2.5 staff. 1.5 employees 8 months
12'x50' greenhouse/shade tunnel.
Verticalize 2 levels
200 flats/week @ $15 / flat
per month (March thru October, 8
months)
Gross first year 8 month season (6,400
flats/year)
Asset investments
Operational expenses
Employee - 40 hours / week labour
($15/hr) yearly

GREENHOUSE LOW TECH MODEL

REVENUE BENCH MARK
Operation

200 $15

$96,000
-$3,886
-$10,073.40
-$43,200

First year net revenue (self employed

income)
Second year and thereafter NET
Equipment

50 $15

Cost

Total

Equipment

$500

Processing / Post Harvest

Equipment
$500 harvest knives

$500
$200
$500
$30
$20
$30
$30
$2
$160
$100
$100
$200

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
3
2

$500
$200
$500
$30
$20
$30
$30
$2
$320
$100
$300
$400

Operating costs 2.5 staff

peat based soil mix (50 flats)
$28 128
$3,584
pea seed 25 kg
$31
28
$868
sun seed 10 kg
$54.90
36 $1,976.40
radish seed 25 kg
$157.50
6
$945
compostable packaging case 1000 ($.
$150
6
$900
15)
utility per month
$300
4
$1,200
bulk packaging, bags and ties
$600
1
$600
Total
$10,073.40

harvest bins
rubbermaid totes
spinner (washing machine)
mesh washing bags for spinning
drying rack
cooler (basic fridge)
work tables
scales

-$3,886
-$2,568.35

$17,545.65
$21,431.65
Cost

Total

$20

$40

$8
$8
$100
$10
$50
$250
$150
$60

8
15
1
6
1
1
1
2

$64
$120
$100
$60
$50
$250
$150
$120

Total
Operating costs 1 staff
peat based soil mix (50 flats)
pea seed 25 kg
sun seed 10 kg
radish seed 25 kg
compostable packaging case 1000
($.15)
utility per month
bulk packaging, bags and ties
Total

$750
$3,000
$24,000

$38,840.60 First year net revenue (self employed

income)
$42,726.60 Second year and thereafter NET

Growing Equipment
greenhouse 12x50 (johnny's caterpiller
tunnel)
shelving
shade cloth
greenhouse irrigation
watering wand
electric timer
hardware for fixtures
watering wand
wood tamper
1" flats case 100
hoses and manifolds
fans
infrared heater

$3,000
$12,000

1 person 25 hours / week

12'x50' greenhouse/shade tunnel.
Verticalize 2 levels
200 flats/week @ $15 / flat
per month (March thru October, 8
months)
Gross first year 8 month season
(6,400 flats/year)
Asset investments
Operational expenses
25 hours / week

REVENUE BENCH MARK

$3,886

$28 32
$31
7
$54.90
9
$157.50 1.5
$150 1.5
$300
$200

1
1

$896
$217
$494.10
$236.25
$225
$300
$200
$2,568.35

Indoor Large Scale

Indoor High Tech Model

Operation

INDOOR HIGH TECH MODEL

REVENUE BENCH MARK
Operation

6 staff, 5 people full time year round (one self employed)

C-can production
420 flats at $15 each / week
420 $15
$6300
per month
$25200
Gross first year (20,160 flats/year)
$302400
Asset investments
-$40,442
Operational expenses
-$27,951.60
Employees - 200 hours / week labour ($15/hr) yearly-$144,000
First year net revenue (self employed income)
Second year and thereafter NET
Equipment

Cost

2 staff, coop model. profit share

C-can production
140 flats at $15 each / week
per month
Gross first year (20,160 flats/year)
Asset investments
Operational expenses
2 members 33 hours / week

140

Total

Equipment

Cost

Processing / Post Harvest Equipment

harvest knives
$20
harvest bins
$8
$37,000 rubbermaid totes
$8

$30
$2
$160
$100
$200
$50
$200

Operating costs
peat based soil mix (50 flats)
$28
pea seed 25 kg
$31
sun seed 10 kg
$54.90
radish seed 25 kg
$157.50
compostable packaging case 1000 ($.15)
$150
utility per month
$300
bulk packaging, bags and ties
$600
Total

$15

$90,006.40 First year net revenue (self employed income)

$130,448.40 Second year and thereafter NET

Start up expenses
Growing Equipment
40' shipping container with all
custom welding work, lights,
poly carb, doors, ect
watering wand
wood tamper
1" flats case 100
hoses and manifolds
dehumidifier
fans
infrared heater or propane

REVENUE BENCH MARK

1
1
5
4
1
4
2

403
89
114
20
2
12
1

$30
$2
$800
$400
$200
$200
$400

$11,284
$2759
$6,258.60
$3,150
$300
$3,600
$600
$27,951.60

spinner (washing machine)

mesh washing bags for spinning
drying rack
cooler (basic fridge)
work tables
scales
sink
Total

$100
$10
$50
$250
$150
$60
$200

Operating costs
peat based soil mix (50 flats)
$28
pea seed 25 kg
$31
sun seed 10 kg
$54.90
radish seed 25 kg
$157.50
compostable packaging case 1000 $150
($.15)
utility per month
$300
bulk packaging, bags and ties
$200
Total

$2,100
$8,400
$100,800
-$40,442
-$9,183.87

$51,174.13
$91,616.13
Total

4
20
25

$80
$160
$200

1
10
1
1
1
2
1

$100
$100
$50
$250
$150
$120
$200
$40,442

134.3
29.67
38
6.667
0.667
4
0.333

$3,761.33
$919.67
$2,086.20
$1,050
$100
$1,200
$66.67
$9,183.87

$1000 / week sales breakdown

Date

Customer

Items

Units

Unit
Wgt
Lbs.

Total
Total Price
Weight Weight
Lbs
Grams

Value

Tuesday Restaurant micro radish flat

1
delivery charge
total

Tuesday Restaurant sun shoots bk

2
pea shoots bk
total

4 1814.4

30

60

2 907.18

15

15
75

Tuesday Retail 1/
Distributer

Friday

Friday

45

5
50

25

0.125

3.125 1417.5

2.15

53.75

sun shoots
radish shoots
total

26
20

0.125
0.125

3.25 1474.2
2.5
1134

2.15
2.15

55.9
43
152.65

Co-op CSA pea shoots

sun shoots
radish shoots
total

Total flats /
week
Total
Sales /
Week

2 907.18 22.50

pea shoots

Restaurant sun shoots bk

3
micro radish bk
total

Saturday Saturday
Market

Total
Sold

50

75

152.65

6 2721.6

30

90

2 907.18

20

20
110

110

86
86
64.5
236.5

236.5

40
40
30

0.125
0.125
0.125

pea shoots

50

0.125

sun shoots
radish shoots
micros mix
mustard mgmf
arugula mgmf
basil mgmf
total

50
30
30
12
12
12

0.125
0.125
0.125
0.082
0.082
0.082

5
5
3.75

6.25

2268
2268
1701

2.15
2.15
2.15

2835

2.5

125

6.25
2835
3.75
1701
3.75
1701
0.984 446.33
0.984 446.33
0.984 446.33

2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
4

125
75
75
30
30
48
508

Notes

mix of pea, sun, radish

Micro Green Mini Flat. One flat total
Micro Green Mini Flat. One flat total
Micro Green Mini Flat. One flat total
508

61.577
1132.15

Sunflower
Shoots
Growing
Germinates slow but grows fast
Grows better if seed is soaked and sterilized
Average DTM 14 days at 12 hours light
can finish in 10-12 days at 16 hours and warmer temperatures

Production
Average yield per flat 1 lb / 453 grams
Seeding rate 170 g dry seed / flat (variation with seed varieties. (I use
Mumms sprouting seeds)
Dont plant dry. Soak the night before
Best results at steady 20c and minimum 12 hours light.

Marketability
Popular at farmers markets and CSAs. Offer a 2 oz / 56g clam shell at $2.50$3.50
Not as popular for high end restaurants, but health conscious outlets like them for
wraps, salads, and juice. Selling by the flat is easier but can get costly if youre
loosing flats.
Price at $15 - $20 / flat or $15 - $20 / lb for bulk orders.

Technicalities
Prone to fungus problems
Removing hulls can be tedious
Rodents love sun seeds. Keep work area clear of hulls to prevent attracting them.
7-12 days shelf life once harvested

Pea Shoots
Growing
Germinates and grows fast
Grows better if seed is soaked. Seed usually doesnt need to be
sterilized.
Average DTM 12 days at 12 hours light
Easiest crop to grow

Production
Average yield per flat .88 lb / 400 grams, highest yields occur with
greenhouse prod. with cooler nights
Seeding rate 332 g dry seed / flat (variation with seed varieties. (I use
Mumms sprouting seeds)
Dont plant dry. Soak the night before
Best results at steady 15-20c and minimum 12 hours light. Doesnt like too
much heat. Hard to grow in summer.

Marketability
Popular at farmers markets and CSAs. Offer a 2 oz / 56g clam shell at $2.50$3.50
High end restaurants prefer a short shoot with small tendrils.
Price at $15 - $20 / flat or $15 - $20 / lb for bulk orders.

Technicalities
Easiest for production. No need to wash.
Does best in the spring and fall in a greenhouse
Longest shelf life. Up to 2 weeks

Radish
Shoots
Growing
Germinates and grows fast
Seed gets sprinkled on dry
Average DTM 10-12 days at 12 hours light
Easy to grow

Production
Average yield per flat .9 lb / 408 grams
Seeding rate 100 ml / 74 g dry seed / flat (variation with seed varieties. (I
use Mumms sprouting seeds)
Flexible with temperatures. Can handle heat, but will sprout true leaves fast.
When theyre ready, theyre ready. Can be difficult for selling flats for this
reason.
For selling flats decrease the seed density to 50 grams

Marketability
Most popular among high end restaurants
Not as popular for CSAs and farmers markets
Better to sell bulk as they spoil quickly after theyre mature
More of a niche market item compared to sun and pea
$20 / lb for bulk, $20 / flat

Technicalities
Fairly easy to produce
Has a very short shelf life once harvested. Average 5 days, 7 days at best. Making
sure they are dry will give you 7 days shelf life

Drying Rack