What Size Microgreen Tray Should You Use?

What Size Microgreen Tray Should You Use?

What Size Microgreen Tray Should You Use?

This article is part of our Microgreen Tray Guide, where we explore how tray design affects workflow, soil usage, durability, and long term costs on a microgreens farm.

In the first article, we looked at the hidden costs that trays can create inside a growing system.

In the second article, we timed how long it takes to fill different trays and found that small design details can slow things down more than expected.

Another factor that affects workflow is tray size.

Most growers eventually settle on one standard size, but when you're starting out it is not always obvious why that size matters.

The Standard Microgreen Tray Size

The most common tray used for microgreens is the 10 x 20 tray, often called a 1020 tray. (Approx 250 x 500mm)

These trays are widely used because they fit most shelving systems and microgreen racks. Equipment across the industry is often designed around this size.

Using a standard size makes several parts of the growing process easier.

  • Shelves and racks are easier to organise
  • Lights can be positioned more evenly
  • Watering becomes predictable
  • Harvest yields are easier to estimate

Consistency becomes very helpful once you are running dozens or hundreds of trays each week.

Why Consistency Matters

A growing system works best when each part fits neatly with the next.

If trays vary in size, small problems begin to appear.

  • Trays do not stack neatly during germination
  • Shelves cannot be used efficiently
  • Lighting coverage becomes uneven
  • Harvest yields vary more than expected

None of these problems will stop you growing microgreens, but they slowly reduce efficiency.

Using a consistent tray size removes a lot of these small complications.

Smaller Trays Can Still Be Useful

While the 10 x 20 tray is the standard for most growers, smaller trays can still have a place.

Some growers use smaller trays when they want to grow a wider range of crops in small batches.

For example, 10 x 10 trays or 5 x 5 trays can fit inside a standard 1020 tray. This allows several varieties to be grown in one larger tray footprint.

These smaller trays can also be useful for windowsills, small kitchens, or for people growing microgreens at home.

Tray Size and Workflow

Once you start growing regularly, tray size becomes part of your overall system design.

Your shelves, lighting, watering routine, and harvest process all begin to revolve around the trays you choose.

Changing tray sizes later can mean adjusting several parts of your setup.

That is why many growers settle on one standard tray size and build their system around it.

Choosing a Tray Size That Fits Your System

If you are starting out, the 1020 tray is usually the simplest place to begin.

It is widely available, compatible with most equipment, and familiar to many growers.

Smaller trays can still be useful additions, but using one consistent main tray size keeps the system simpler.

In the next article, we will look more closely at another important design detail: tray depth, and how it affects soil usage and handling.

Microgreen Tray Guide

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