5x5 Deep Microgreen Trays NZ

Bootstrap Farmer® 5x5 Deep Grow Trays NZ

Want a compact growing tray that gives your plants extra root room and media capacity? The Bootstrap Farmer® 5x5 Deep Grow Tray is an extra-strength, heavy-duty reusable tray engineered for small-batch microgreens, sprouted chicken fodder, wheatgrass, and seedling propagation. We're an authorised NZ stockist and we run Bootstrap Farmer equipment every day on our own vertical farm in Ashburton.

At 5.7 cm deep (2.25"), these trays offer significantly more depth than standard shallow microgreen trays. The added volume makes them ideal for crops requiring deeper root runs, longer growing cycles, or thick grain mats that need superior moisture retention.

Injection-moulded from thick (1.8–2.0 mm), BPA-free, food-safe polypropylene, these indestructible trays are built to last season after season without buckling, cracking, or warping under weight.

Why Choose the Deep 5x5?

The deep design balances generous root space with a manageable, modular footprint. They are perfect when you want to run variety trial batches, stagger harvest dates, or maintain a daily fodder rotation for backyard poultry without dedicating an entire 1020 tray to a single crop.

Eight 5x5 Deep Grow Trays sit neatly inside a single standard 1020 tray, simplifying transport, bench organisation, and bottom-watering workflows.

Features & Specifications

Heavy-Duty Construction: Built from thick (1.8–2.0 mm), BPA-free, food-safe #5 polypropylene plastic. Guaranteed not to bend, warp, chip, or crack under heavy soil or wet seed weight.
2-Year Warranty: Backed by a 2-year warranty against breakage under normal growing conditions.
Exact Dimensions: Top: 13.0 cm x 13.0 cm (5.125" x 5.125") | Base: 10.8 cm x 10.8 cm (4.25" x 4.25") | Depth: 5.7 cm (2.25").
Optimised Drainage: Features 6 bottom drainage slits designed for efficient water flow, rapid aeration, and quick uptake when bottom-watering.
1020 Modular System: Exactly eight 5x5 trays fit inside one standard 1020 tray.
Versatile Growing: Suitable for soil, coco coir, rockwool, hydroponic flood-and-drain systems, and soil-less seed sprouting.
Indoor & Outdoor Use: Designed to handle greenhouse, indoor rack, and outdoor growing conditions.
Eco-Friendly & Reusable: Replaces flimsy single-use trays, drastically reducing plastic waste and replacement costs over time.
Bulk discount by pack size: Choose a 60, 120 or 240 pack and the price per tray drops as the pack gets bigger.
Made in the USA: Built to rigorous quality and food-safety standards.

What Can You Grow in a 5x5 Deep Tray?

Sprouted Chicken Fodder: Grow daily bite-sized trays of sprouted barley, wheat, or oats for backyard chooks. The 5.7 cm depth accommodates heavy root expansion.
Longer-cycle Microgreens: Sunflower, pea shoots, corn shoots, and nasturtium.
Wheatgrass & Animal Fodder: Dense root mats with generous moisture retention between waterings.
Seedlings & Pot Starts: Up-potting young vegetable starts, herbs, and flowering plants.
Variety Trials: Testing small batches of new seeds before committing to full-scale production.

Deep vs Shallow 5x5 Trays

Not sure which depth is right for your setup?

Our Shallow 5x5 Trays are 3.3 cm deep (1.3") and are engineered specifically for quick-turn microgreens (like radish, broccoli, and mustard) to minimise media usage and speed up harvesting.

The Deep 5x5 Trays are 5.7 cm deep (2.25"), providing double the root zone. Choose the deep model if you grow tall crops, longer-cycle sprouts or thick grain fodder, use heavier soil blends, or need longer moisture retention between waterings.

Compare our 5x5 Shallow Trays here if you are mainly focused on quick-turn microgreens.

Growing & Bottom-Watering in a 1020 System

Modular growing gives you complete control over your grow space. By placing eight holed 5x5 trays inside a solid (no-hole) 1020 tray, you can bottom-water an entire batch simultaneously without disturbing delicate top foliage or rinsing away seeds.

Pro-Tip & Compatibility: Eight 5x5 Deep Trays fit inside standard 1020 shallow or deep trays. For optimal nesting and even watering, stick to trays of the same depth within a single 1020 unit.

Care & Longevity: Hand-wash with warm, soapy water or sanitise between cycles. To maximise tray lifespan, store out of direct sunlight when not in use.

Keep reading: how deep should microgreen trays be, the Bootstrap Farmer sizing guide and our tray system guide.

Everything we stock has a purpose: to help you grow better, live healthier, and tread lighter on the planet. Learn more about our mission here.

What is the difference between shallow and deep 5x5 microgreen trays?

Deep 5x5 trays are approximately 5.7 cm deep, providing double the root depth of standard shallow trays (3.3 cm). The extra depth is ideal for crops that need more growing media, larger root expansion (like sunflower and pea shoots), or thick sprouted grain fodder for backyard chickens.

How many 5x5 Deep Grow Trays fit inside a standard 1020 tray?

Precisely eight 5x5 Deep Grow Trays fit inside one standard 1020 tray. This modular arrangement allows you to manage multiple varieties with different harvest dates side by side in a single footprint.

Can I use 5x5 deep trays to grow sprouted grain fodder for chickens?

Yes. The 5.7 cm depth is ideal for sprouted barley, wheat, or oat fodder mats for backyard chooks. The extra root room prevents heavy root expansion from pushing the mat out of the tray and holds moisture longer between waterings.

Why choose heavy-duty Bootstrap Farmer trays over single-use plastic options?

Bootstrap Farmer trays are injection-moulded from thick (1.8–2.0 mm), BPA-free #5 polypropylene plastic. They will not buckle, bend, or crack under heavy soil or water weight, drastically reducing ongoing costs and plastic waste in NZ landfills.

What is the best way to water plants in 5x5 deep trays?

The most effective method is bottom watering. Nest your 5x5 trays (with drainage slits) inside a solid 1020 or 1010 tray (without holes) and add water directly to the outer tray. This encourages deep root growth while preventing mould and dampening off on foliage.

How much seed should I use in a 5x5 deep grow tray?

A good starting rule for a 5x5 tray is 1/2 a teaspoon of small seeds (like broccoli or kale), 1/2 a tablespoon of medium/large seeds (like radish, pea, or sunflower), or 2–3 tablespoons of dry grain (like barley or wheat) when sprouting fodder.

How do I clean and sanitise 5x5 deep trays between crops?

Wash the trays with warm soapy water using a soft brush or sponge to remove debris, then sanitise with a mild food-safe steriliser or diluted hydrogen peroxide solution. Store them out of direct sunlight when not in use to preserve the plastic.

Can I grow microgreens in 5x5 deep trays without soil?

Yes. Deep 5x5 trays work well with soil-less media such as coconut coir, hemp or wool mats, rockwool, or hydroponic flood-and-drain setups, as well as organic potting mix.

Why are my microgreens or sprouted greens growing tall and thin (leggy)?

"Leggy" stems usually indicate a lack of sufficient light. Place your trays where they receive bright natural light or position a compact LED grow light directly above the trays to encourage stocky, healthy growth.

Are Bootstrap Farmer 5x5 Deep Trays food-safe and BPA-free?

Yes. They are manufactured from high-quality, food-grade #5 polypropylene plastic that is 100% BPA-free, ensuring zero harmful chemical leaching into your fresh microgreens, herbs, or animal fodder.