No. Microgreens are typically grown in a medium and harvested above the root zone after cotyledons and early true leaves develop. Sprouts are generally eaten with the root and seed remnants and are produced under a different growing system.

Not always. A very bright window can work for a small home setup, but controlled LED lighting is easier to repeat across a full tray or multiple shelves. See the lighting guide.

The upper tray holds the crop and drains. The lower solid tray catches water and makes bottom watering possible. See the tray guide.

No. Fine white growth directly around roots may be normal root hairs. Web-like growth spreading across seed hulls or media deserves closer inspection. See mold vs. root hairs.

Once roots are established enough to wick water from below, bottom watering can keep unnecessary water off the canopy. Keep the medium moist rather than continuously saturated.

No. Blackout is a technique, not a universal requirement. It can encourage stem elongation, but crop response varies. Read the blackout guide.

Fast brassicas such as radish, broccoli, cabbage and mustard are useful learning crops because they germinate quickly and give clear feedback. Peas and sunflower are also popular but use a different large-seed workflow.

For short microgreen crops grown to the early true-leaf stage, seed reserves provide much of the initial nutrition. University of Maryland Extension notes that fertilizer is not needed for the basic indoor method they describe.

Timing depends on species and conditions. Extension guidance places many microgreens in a broad 7-to-21-day harvest window, with fast brassicas among the quickest.

Practices vary by system. University of Maryland Extension describes drying and screening used media and refreshing it with new mix before reuse. Cleanliness and disease history should influence the decision.