Aside from what I mentioned in the video, I also would say that I failed to really drive the business forward at a critical time due to spreading myself too thin. Don't do that! Focus on one thing!
I've learned so much this last year, bout to start my first farmers markets. Been selling to restaurants already. If you're ever in the SF bay area let me know, I've got a great answer to the watering problem. Learned it from another micro grower. Also have a lot of great ideas that I haven't seen any other micro grower in my area try. Keeping them on the low cause I'm fighting against three other micro suppliers in my area, one of which is basically a corporate farm with Walmart pricing. I'm going to be creating "411" videos for my customers soon ranging from uses, nutrition, and benefits vs regular veggies. Would be cool to do a colab video. For now, I'm waiting on phone calls to start two markets in the area. Thanks a ton, your videos (and FB support group) have helped immensely.
I been a microgreen farmer for going on 3 years now and was growing them for myself for a year prior. One mistake I made that really stuck out was not having secured enough funding to buy everything in bulk. Much stress was put into constantly ordering and relying on quick delivery. While it was still profitable to an extent it was mentally draining and there was just so much more money to be made when you save in bulk. It is also relieving to know that should anything horrible happen with society that I have enough supplies to feed my family superfoods for years if need be!
Love how you address your audience with respect and genuinely. Have enjoyed watching and taking notes from your videos as I think about beginning this process for myself.
Hi Donny. Funny you say you are resistent to automation. I came from the extreme oposite. I'm mechatronic certified and study electrical engineering so the very first thing that attract me to microgreens was the posibility to make extra money wit something to make some small automation projects. But let me tell you your first mistake with this .... When you say the lak of watering wont had happened if it was automated. There will be others mistakes. When you automate somethig you changing the way you manage from a manual labor to a manage labor but still a check todo. I can lis to you many thigs that can (and some will) happend. Those are new problems to solve. By the way if you automate ireigation I strongly advise to put a camera to be able to see if any problem show up. Pumps can faile, tubes can get obstruct ..... and your plants will tell you. So the best way to prevent is to keep an eye on it (cam). If you whant we can talk more about it. I'm starting at microgreens and i'm feeling more afraid to get costumers and plants and the routine. hehehehe As I told you i came from the oposit.
Thanks for this comment!! Yes im sure there will be many mistakes to learn from as i start implementing automation. Ill be checking on the plants and systems every day so hopefully ill be able to keep everything working and in good shape
As an engineer, I'm assuming you might be able to recommend brands or products. I would consider this 'light' duty, limited run time, not much volume to pump, low pressure. What should we be looking for? We could use submerged pumps (fish tank style), what timer system would you recommend? I was thinking of coding my own microprocessor (esp32 for example) to run a relay. Any thoughts? 🖖
2:10 Yeah, good instinct. Do the work. Install the system, let it run for weeks under your supervision sure, but it's the busywork and hands-on that keeps your mind on the asset.
Yet another great informative video from you Donny. I think one of the biggest mistakes people make in starting a microgreens business is not doing to research and just trying to jump right into it starting a business because they see videos online of how profitable it can be. You gotta start off small and get the process down before starting the business. I personally have only ever grown microgreens for myself, family, and friends but I told a friend of mine about the videos the next thing I knew, he had gotten a business license. He then spent thousands of dollars on materials to build out the entire unfinished basement in his home specially for growing microgreens , and enough lighting, racks, trays, etc to plant 600 10/20 trays. At the time when he had told me all that, he had yet to even try growing a single microgreen.
Oh my gosh haha! Your friend is crazy lol! I totally advise everyone to start small and eat them themselves first, just like you said. I think thats the best. Learn to grow and eat them first, then think about if you want to do it as a business
Thank you for this video, I am so encouraged to see you talk about not only what's gone good, but what's gone wrong, because I am in the researching stage of things rightnow, and this is exactly what I needed to see. Thanks
wow Donny what a fantastic video, thank you for sharing your mistakes with us, As a newbie to microgreens I appreciate your honesty and realistic experience which I know I will remember going forward
I help microgreen farmers set us that automated client journey! This is sooo key!!!! Simple emails that send out automatically can make or break a business. ❤
The only mistake that I have made so far is not starting yet! Just trying to learn all I can before I get going. You said to start growing for your family first and that’s the way I been wanting to do it. Do you have a link for trays without holes?
I’m seriously considering getting into the business of growing and selling microgreens. I appreciate you sharing information and experiences. Greetings from New Jersey!!
Speaking of watering, I've seen other videos where you're just using a hose. You said you have a filter on the line but do you have any thoughts on adding nutrients or not? We've run experiments and they do seem to grow a little better with them
Whats up Donny, just started a program with freedom farmers. I have probably 10 more hours online in order to make the website and all the details work out before I start actually growing. I am a bit self conscious about whether ill get clients and hopefully I dont fail. Putting consistent effort towards the project seems to be helping. I hope you are making good progress! Mikey
Thank you for the wisdom. I started my mircogreens business last year around this time. I soooo needed to hear about the automated watering. I also work a full time job of 50+ hours a week. Automated watering would be a game changer. Please link some resources if you can. Thank you for all of your help Donny and God Bless.
Hey great video yet again! Love your content! My biggest mistake or fear is that I don't know how to sell my produce. I don't have problems growing them since I have some experience growing other crops, the microgreens are growing great! I just get anxious from the thought of selling them. How did you start with finding customers and do you have some tips?
So glad I clicked on this video. I am starting out with indoor tents right now and have been thinking about building out a micro greens greenhouse outdoors in my yard, automating the fertigation process is the next frontier for my indoor tent setup, I am currently following the automatic irrigation system provided by coco for cannabis. Thank you for the insight
My biggest mistake starting my first microgreens farm was using all my personal savings to fund it which put my family and I in many challenging financial situations. We are about to relaunch the business soon but this time with some investors. Second mistake was me trying to start the business all by myself while working a full time job. This time I have a business partner and will have enough to fund workers.
Hi Donny, I am interested in getting into this line of business, but I have one big issue that I´m having trouble getting an answer to. How do you get costumers? Do you cold call markets and restaurants? How do you do it? I´m fairly confident I can build a vertical farm and start planting, but actually getting someone to sell them to is what leaves me fearfull and makes me wait to begin the process. Please, any help is welcome. I´m from Brazil btw so no worries, I won´t compete with your business lol.
Tip: add some hydrogen peroxide to the res if you're going to feed nutrients (prevents slime from developing which drives up pH) Tip: oversize your pump so the last feed outlet on the line gets the same pressure as the first. I usually make a loop containing each outlet. BONUS Tip: respond to your fans questions as well as liking them Seriously though good video. Compared to few years ago. Way easier to listen to. (Not repeating things, no fluff, seemingly more humble)
Great tips 100%!! I have a lot going on over here and people to respond to in dozens of different places. Glad to be back on youtube, trying to stay consistent.
I did make the 1st two mistakes and the biggest one was having the wrong person employed with the company.. Thank you for all your good advice. Will follow you till I am successful in my own business.. Thank you God bless you..🙏
I just grew my first two trays!! I am so excited to start eating them, I have noticed some white hairs or mould on the top of the soil, not sure what it is, how to differentiate between mold and healthy root hairs? Thank you for your videos they have been super helpful for starting out!!
Hello, your videos have helped me since I am going to start my microgreens venture, for which I thank you. Could you tell me how you automated the irrigation? That could be another video. Thanks again.
I have been researching and checking out the health benefits of each microgreens. I love all of them but my boost will be in the ones that prevent cancers. I will start with my own family/friends eating them and their comments. I will continue if my productions is successful. I live in Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. So I will be doing everything outdoors, under wind breaker types of greenhouse with natural sunlight. I’ll report back. Thank you for the break downs of the business, I am taking notes and looking at who I can rely on for employee’s. Keep you posted.
Wow! Excellent info. Thank you. my ONLY mistake thus far is not having started growing. Husband is retired, I'm doin part-time M-F less then 30 hrs. I love my raised bed gardens outside... Long winter season in MI. This sounds like marvelous path to better our eating and health, plus a few bucks along the way. I'll never be your competitor on any level. LOL Thanks for doing what you doing with these instructional videos.
I'm curious as to how big of the space you needed for your growth and what was the volume you do weekly of growing? I currently live on 12 acres edge of the city ( inside of the I275 belt loop) and also own a 3,200 sqft workshop building. I am considering getting into it microgreen and still learning about this. I ran a successful construction business and it is tough now for me considering my eye sight got worse and manage those guys nowadays as I'm done. I just want to stay busy and do something from home... Any advice? thanks a million!
I have been growing for going on two years. Nothing catastrophic stands out, but I have seen big differences in germination rates in seed lots. I made a big buy on sunflower and got some extremely dirty seed which also had mold issues causing me to change my preparation method a lot.
Yep seed lots can totally vary, and the sunflowers are especially problematic. I hate getting a new batch, opening it up, and seeing a bunch of sticks and nonsense in there. I ordered seeds! Not sticks!! Thanks for the comment Ronald, I feel your pain 🌱💚
Can you make a video on what are all point that should be covered when considering a lease agreement with the land lord in the context of microgreens farming and possibly share a sample contract copy for reference. Thanks Donnygreens your videos are a great inspiration keep on growing. This one video especially is a banger. Thanks and regards.
I had been using coco coir for my medium for a year, with no, or little problem, but it is quite expensive, a 10lb block usually does about two rounds of growing, and that is only 10 trays. So I swapped to peat moss, and though I did some testing that seemed to work out fine, when it came to production it was an utter failure, I lost almost the entire crop on two growing cycles before switching back to coir and getting the results I wanted. I just could not get the watering right; too much too little, it was a nightmare, and damping off and mold! I realize that all this was very probably all my own fault, but I had been growing microgeens successfully for a year with coco coir! Don't be cheap! ;-) Siochain.
Hi Donny, i use the autopot system for watering my greens. Basically it's a 47*23 tray with a cocomat covered with a copper foil. The tray has an automatic mecanical valve that allow water to soak the coco. You just put your microgreens trays on the copper ( it will control the roots and allows a wick watering ). Nutrient solution comes from a 9 gallons reservoir placed on top of the shelf. Everything is electricity free. Only gravity. Works like a charm. You should give it a try. And you can save energy and water with this system. And you don't need unholed trays with it. Bye !
#3 is something I've thought of before stepping in my first market. I think most people think micros are a fad or something you eat only on a salad or sandwich. Everything I use them on something I eat, I post it on IG. Have a plan to further expand on recipes with local chefs.
Sorry to hear about your landlord; compulsive liars love to prey on good, honest people but outing them, using it as a learning experience, and moving forward is the best revenge. Mistakes really are the stepping stones of success, thanks for sharing your wisdom. Look forward to seeing you build out your new garden with watering automation. A video on what points a good lease might include would be helpful.
I'm not quite big enough to afford automated watering (23 trays/100ish clamshells per week) at this point. When I get there, can I retrofit my racks? And more importantly how do I do so? Thanks!
Where are you sourcing your flood and drain supplies and do you have a specific design you're trying to emulate? I know some companies like Bootstrap Farmer have prefabricated units but they're $$$$. I want to build a flood and drain system but am worried about it clogging with dirt. Can you recommend a system that is tried and true? Thanks!
What are some of the best resources for information about microgreens (specific, books, forums, websites, etc...) that you have used over your years of growing them? Specifically about nutrition, growing education and growing systems? Thanks! I'm starting my own closet grow at the end of May!
Thanks! Great video but what did your landlord not provide that he promised resulting in you not paying him, no offense but that part was pretty vague but yeah it's good advice to get written contracts or atleast some documentation for rentals instead of purely verbal
I definitely witnessed total farms going down due to locating grow space next to an industrial area with multiple different fumes close to the area , bad ventilation end up causing mould and losing the crop in addition to having a cat around 😅
So I live in the desert and things dry out at a much faster rate than I'm used to. Automating watering is literally one of the first things I'm doing, because it's hard to relearn
I never learned how to properly sell them after I loaded up on equipment and took up my whole basement. I just never found a good market and there already was many people already doing this in my area I found out. I at least enjoy eating them and learned how to grow most of them really well.
Slick, the greens at the flea mkt, at the health food store and at my publix super mkt were below standard for me. They didn't follow up on their products and failed. I was so excited to see greens at Publix but close inspection, I wouldn't buy them for my dog.
@@DonnyGreens I did but I think I could have put more effort into it and I scaled down by about 10x just to grow indoors for myself about a year ago. I would like to figure it out and lately have been thinking about trying it again especially with food prices rising as they are. I put the most effort into selling on FB and online but it wasn't consistent and I wasted a lot of micros.
I listened to, too many nay sayers and didn’t stick with it even though my neighbors loved my product. I was being told don’t do it there is no money in it, and you won’t be able to make a living. So I stayed in plumbing but ended up getting injured to the point I could no longer do that type of work. But, I still didn’t give my dream job a chance.
Beautiful video! Great message. You’re honest - you will come out ahead. You also seem happy. 👍 I’m just growing sprouts and microgreens for myself and my family. Loving every minute and the nutrition. Best wishes!
Thanks Donny for sharing your mistakes and wisdom. Yes, I am a landlord myself. I also learned my mistakes by being so nice and generous that rotten tenants took advantage of me. I finally had to call the cops to give him a warning and thereafter I kicked him out for lying on his application form and his references. Donny, just a suggestion for improving your client's retention. You might want to follow up with an email to new clients after his first microgreen meal and perhaps give some educational material about the health benefits of eating those microgreen products. Health education is important because that will motivate them to explore new microgreen products. Besides, keeping existing clients happy is cheaper and more important than getting new clients. They will refer their friends and family members to you when they are happy with your products.
That's not how it works. You don't just call the cops to evict a tenant. It gets taken to court and then the court orders a sheriff or constable to perform eviction.
I tried short cuts. Not having ALL the right equipment. I lost a lot of money thinking all I needed was, seeds, dirt and cheap trays. I just gave up and I am sad that I did, but I don't have the means to start over.
Oof that's a big reason why I make these videos and educate! So people get off to the right start the buy the right stuff!! Hopefully one day you will be able to start it back up!
Something I learned was between indoor and outdoor growing. Started sweet corn & popcorn, wife loved it. I hated it. To sweet. Tried sunflower, worked out well. 8-10 days for harvest. Loved the flavor. Tried black eyed peas. Started off without a hitch. As soon as I put them outside for sun they attracted flies , hundreds of them. I lost four trays because I wasn’t eating it. Did some research (google) and yes certain peas attract flies. So it would’ve worked inside but not outside for me. Lesson learned. Now I know I’ve learned a lot from ya Donnie. Thanks 👍🇺🇸
Great video Donny, I would like to ask, how long do you let your fans run? Are they on the same cycle as your lights ? Are you using the fans the moment they are put under the lights. Thank you
It'a funny because that exectly what I'm doing...learn to learn ! I'm eating micros now and learn to apreciate them as food and experience in my appt. hew to grow them and master the process
I never charged enough for my valuable skills. Now I'm forced by cancer to stop working outdoors and avoid the solvents and oxidizers I was working with. A very happy customer was overjoyed when I saved him $30K on repairs. He gave me a Green Star cold press juicer. The juicing has led me here. No one is producing sprouts in my city of a million citizens so maybe microgreens are my ticket out of the hopelessness and despair that accomanies living in a regressive afflicted city.
Update: One ad appeared on the local CL. A private, homegrower was sslling a variety of sprouts. I replied, curioys to see what she/he had going. The seller emailed back later that they were sold out in one day but would add me to their list. More incentive to get on with it and at least grow my own before attempting any ventures. It took and number of calls to finally locate some seeds and grains for sprouting. Online mail order, for me, is just SO f'd up. I'm still wating on a surveillance camera that was probably a scam...rot in hell, bastards. Mistskes, the only thing I can do consistently ~
At 4:15 I can't hire people because I am too brutal with them!. If I hire people when they don't do what I say?, I cracked the whip and when I crack the whip?, firing will be the last thing on their mind as I'm giving them 35 lashes!. I do give them 35 lashes like the days of old. 😂👏👏💪
@@DonnyGreens yes. I was just over zealous and wanted to try them alllll 😂😂 I now run peas, sunnies, cabbage, broccoli. I still want to offer a monthly special. But I Def need to master those down the line. Thank you for your reply. 😊🌱
I think the biggest mistake I made was repeatedly farting into a canister that I would pressurise which allowed me to create a slow release fart gas mist to spray my crops with. Everything always died and I could never figure out why until I developed an obsession with steak and kidney pies and realised the stench of the farts was probably highly toxic… thousands of dollars just wasted all because of farts
No problem, thanks so much for watching and commenting. Stay tuned for late June of this year, I'll be launching something that will help you get started :)
So, you stopped paying your landlord because he was impacting your business? or you stopped paying him because you could get away with no rent due to Covid19? Were you producing during this time?
The hiring and firing. No kidding. I just got fired after six years of stellar performance, for reporting bad behavior by a punk they just hired. That is why I am going back into farming and getting training from someone half my age, you. The future looks exciting.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
What mistake have you made that has really stuck out?!
Aside from what I mentioned in the video, I also would say that I failed to really drive the business forward at a critical time due to spreading myself too thin. Don't do that! Focus on one thing!
@@DonnyGreens ❤️ So when you have one,2 week for travel ? Soon
Yes definitely
I've learned so much this last year, bout to start my first farmers markets. Been selling to restaurants already. If you're ever in the SF bay area let me know, I've got a great answer to the watering problem. Learned it from another micro grower. Also have a lot of great ideas that I haven't seen any other micro grower in my area try. Keeping them on the low cause I'm fighting against three other micro suppliers in my area, one of which is basically a corporate farm with Walmart pricing.
I'm going to be creating "411" videos for my customers soon ranging from uses, nutrition, and benefits vs regular veggies. Would be cool to do a colab video. For now, I'm waiting on phone calls to start two markets in the area.
Thanks a ton, your videos (and FB support group) have helped immensely.
I been a microgreen farmer for going on 3 years now and was growing them for myself for a year prior. One mistake I made that really stuck out was not having secured enough funding to buy everything in bulk. Much stress was put into constantly ordering and relying on quick delivery. While it was still profitable to an extent it was mentally draining and there was just so much more money to be made when you save in bulk. It is also relieving to know that should anything horrible happen with society that I have enough supplies to feed my family superfoods for years if need be!
Love how you address your audience with respect and genuinely. Have enjoyed watching and taking notes from your videos as I think about beginning this process for myself.
Hi Donny. Funny you say you are resistent to automation. I came from the extreme oposite. I'm mechatronic certified and study electrical engineering so the very first thing that attract me to microgreens was the posibility to make extra money wit something to make some small automation projects. But let me tell you your first mistake with this .... When you say the lak of watering wont had happened if it was automated. There will be others mistakes. When you automate somethig you changing the way you manage from a manual labor to a manage labor but still a check todo. I can lis to you many thigs that can (and some will) happend. Those are new problems to solve. By the way if you automate ireigation I strongly advise to put a camera to be able to see if any problem show up. Pumps can faile, tubes can get obstruct ..... and your plants will tell you. So the best way to prevent is to keep an eye on it (cam). If you whant we can talk more about it. I'm starting at microgreens and i'm feeling more afraid to get costumers and plants and the routine. hehehehe As I told you i came from the oposit.
Thanks for this comment!! Yes im sure there will be many mistakes to learn from as i start implementing automation. Ill be checking on the plants and systems every day so hopefully ill be able to keep everything working and in good shape
As an engineer, I'm assuming you might be able to recommend brands or products. I would consider this 'light' duty, limited run time, not much volume to pump, low pressure. What should we be looking for?
We could use submerged pumps (fish tank style), what timer system would you recommend? I was thinking of coding my own microprocessor (esp32 for example) to run a relay.
Any thoughts?
🖖
2:10 Yeah, good instinct. Do the work. Install the system, let it run for weeks under your supervision sure, but it's the busywork and hands-on that keeps your mind on the asset.
I appreciate you Donny Greens. You're an honest and great mentor on this process as I am a new grower. Mahalo from Maui!
Much love John, thanks for the comment! 🌱💚
Yet another great informative video from you Donny. I think one of the biggest mistakes people make in starting a microgreens business is not doing to research and just trying to jump right into it starting a business because they see videos online of how profitable it can be. You gotta start off small and get the process down before starting the business. I personally have only ever grown microgreens for myself, family, and friends but I told a friend of mine about the videos the next thing I knew, he had gotten a business license. He then spent thousands of dollars on materials to build out the entire unfinished basement in his home specially for growing microgreens , and enough lighting, racks, trays, etc to plant 600 10/20 trays. At the time when he had told me all that, he had yet to even try growing a single microgreen.
Oh my gosh haha! Your friend is crazy lol! I totally advise everyone to start small and eat them themselves first, just like you said. I think thats the best. Learn to grow and eat them first, then think about if you want to do it as a business
WhatsApp Happend to RUclips Business. Grimme an Update pls
Thank you for this video, I am so encouraged to see you talk about not only what's gone good, but what's gone wrong, because I am in the researching stage of things rightnow, and this is exactly what I needed to see. Thanks
You are so welcome 🌱💚
wow Donny what a fantastic video, thank you for sharing your mistakes with us, As a newbie to microgreens I appreciate your honesty and realistic experience which I know I will remember going forward
Wow you are amazing! There’s no one like you! You really help us so much! Thankyou for making a difference
I help microgreen farmers set us that automated client journey! This is sooo key!!!!
Simple emails that send out automatically can make or break a business. ❤
Do you still do this?
The only mistake that I have made so far is not starting yet! Just trying to learn all I can before I get going. You said to start growing for your family first and that’s the way I been wanting to do it. Do you have a link for trays without holes?
We just moved for trays without holes to trays with holes.
Thanks for the videos.
If you legit can’t even research a tray, this isn’t for you.. how useless can you be, seriously..
@@Hemnine 🤣😂 I was asking for affiliate links guy! 👍👍
I’m seriously considering getting into the business of growing and selling microgreens.
I appreciate you sharing information and experiences. Greetings from New Jersey!!
Speaking of watering, I've seen other videos where you're just using a hose. You said you have a filter on the line but do you have any thoughts on adding nutrients or not? We've run experiments and they do seem to grow a little better with them
Whats up Donny, just started a program with freedom farmers. I have probably 10 more hours online in order to make the website and all the details work out before I start actually growing. I am a bit self conscious about whether ill get clients and hopefully I dont fail. Putting consistent effort towards the project seems to be helping.
I hope you are making good progress!
Mikey
Thank you for the wisdom. I started my mircogreens business last year around this time. I soooo needed to hear about the automated watering. I also work a full time job of 50+ hours a week. Automated watering would be a game changer. Please link some resources if you can. Thank you for all of your help Donny and God Bless.
Much love and thanks for the comment! Ill be using flood and drain tables to do my automated watering
Thanks for sharing!
No problem!!
Hey great video yet again! Love your content! My biggest mistake or fear is that I don't know how to sell my produce. I don't have problems growing them since I have some experience growing other crops, the microgreens are growing great! I just get anxious from the thought of selling them. How did you start with finding customers and do you have some tips?
So glad I clicked on this video. I am starting out with indoor tents right now and have been thinking about building out a micro greens greenhouse outdoors in my yard, automating the fertigation process is the next frontier for my indoor tent setup, I am currently following the automatic irrigation system provided by coco for cannabis. Thank you for the insight
Awesome, very cool to hear!! Keep up the good work and I'm glad the video was useful! Where are you located anyway? Curious what ag zone you are in
@@DonnyGreens I am in Maine! We are starting to finally break out of our frost, there is so much potential here for sure to say the least!
Very cool, yep our last frost was a few weeks back - excited to be taking a try at outdoor growing!
@@DonnyGreens same here!! Can’t wait
My biggest mistake starting my first microgreens farm was using all my personal savings to fund it which put my family and I in many challenging financial situations. We are about to relaunch the business soon but this time with some investors. Second mistake was me trying to start the business all by myself while working a full time job. This time I have a business partner and will have enough to fund workers.
Hi Donny, I am interested in getting into this line of business, but I have one big issue that I´m having trouble getting an answer to. How do you get costumers? Do you cold call markets and restaurants? How do you do it? I´m fairly confident I can build a vertical farm and start planting, but actually getting someone to sell them to is what leaves me fearfull and makes me wait to begin the process. Please, any help is welcome. I´m from Brazil btw so no worries, I won´t compete with your business lol.
This video is 100 % on target... Loved it!
Automated watering scares me because of potential malfunctions resulting in flooding. Yikes.
I'll have to look into it more.
just have a controller that uses wifi and a camera you can shut it off from anywhere. they also have water detectors for flood warning
That would definitely be scary!!
Love your honesty.
Tip: add some hydrogen peroxide to the res if you're going to feed nutrients (prevents slime from developing which drives up pH)
Tip: oversize your pump so the last feed outlet on the line gets the same pressure as the first. I usually make a loop containing each outlet.
BONUS Tip: respond to your fans questions as well as liking them
Seriously though good video. Compared to few years ago. Way easier to listen to. (Not repeating things, no fluff, seemingly more humble)
Great tips 100%!! I have a lot going on over here and people to respond to in dozens of different places. Glad to be back on youtube, trying to stay consistent.
You are hilarious 😊I’m excited to see more!
haha much love
I did make the 1st two mistakes and the biggest one was having the wrong person employed with the company.. Thank you for all your good advice. Will follow you till I am successful in my own business.. Thank you God bless you..🙏
much love Noel, and hopefully you will be successful very soon but still follow! 😆
I love it!!! F yeah DG!!! 🤙
wooop woop!!
I just grew my first two trays!! I am so excited to start eating them, I have noticed some white hairs or mould on the top of the soil, not sure what it is, how to differentiate between mold and healthy root hairs? Thank you for your videos they have been super helpful for starting out!!
I had a video that shows you how to differentiate!! Go check out my RUclips channel for all my videos. Pumped to hear that you are growing!!!! 🌱🌱🚀🚀🚀
Hello, your videos have helped me since I am going to start my microgreens venture, for which I thank you. Could you tell me how you automated the irrigation? That could be another video. Thanks again.
i didnt automate my irrigation, i still hand water
I have been researching and checking out the health benefits of each microgreens. I love all of them but my boost will be in the ones that prevent cancers. I will start with my own family/friends eating them and their comments. I will continue if my productions is successful. I live in Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. So I will be doing everything outdoors, under wind breaker types of greenhouse with natural sunlight. I’ll report back.
Thank you for the break downs of the business, I am taking notes and looking at who I can rely on for employee’s. Keep you posted.
awesomeee love to hear it. you defnitely want to be growing the broccoli
Wow! Excellent info. Thank you. my ONLY mistake thus far is not having started growing. Husband is retired, I'm doin part-time M-F less then 30 hrs. I love my raised bed gardens outside... Long winter season in MI. This sounds like marvelous path to better our eating and health, plus a few bucks along the way. I'll never be your competitor on any level. LOL Thanks for doing what you doing with these instructional videos.
I'm curious as to how big of the space you needed for your growth and what was the volume you do weekly of growing? I currently live on 12 acres edge of the city ( inside of the I275 belt loop) and also own a 3,200 sqft workshop building. I am considering getting into it microgreen and still learning about this. I ran a successful construction business and it is tough now for me considering my eye sight got worse and manage those guys nowadays as I'm done. I just want to stay busy and do something from home... Any advice? thanks a million!
Thx for information. Thinking of start micro green business
Do it!!!
I have been growing for going on two years. Nothing catastrophic stands out, but I have seen big differences in germination rates in seed lots. I made a big buy on sunflower and got some extremely dirty seed which also had mold issues causing me to change my preparation method a lot.
Yep seed lots can totally vary, and the sunflowers are especially problematic. I hate getting a new batch, opening it up, and seeing a bunch of sticks and nonsense in there. I ordered seeds! Not sticks!! Thanks for the comment Ronald, I feel your pain 🌱💚
Thank you for the information 🙏
My pleasure!
Can you make a video on what are all point that should be covered when considering a lease agreement with the land lord in the context of microgreens farming and possibly share a sample contract copy for reference.
Thanks Donnygreens your videos are a great inspiration keep on growing. This one video especially is a banger.
Thanks and regards.
Thanks alot!! Hmm maybe i can make a video like that. Kinda tricky
Humble, honest, brilliant. Thank you Donny. :)
Much love
I had been using coco coir for my medium for a year, with no, or little problem, but it is quite expensive, a 10lb block usually does about two rounds of growing, and that is only 10 trays. So I swapped to peat moss, and though I did some testing that seemed to work out fine, when it came to production it was an utter failure, I lost almost the entire crop on two growing cycles before switching back to coir and getting the results I wanted. I just could not get the watering right; too much too little, it was a nightmare, and damping off and mold! I realize that all this was very probably all my own fault, but I had been growing microgeens successfully for a year with coco coir! Don't be cheap! ;-) Siochain.
Hi Donny, i use the autopot system for watering my greens. Basically it's a 47*23 tray with a cocomat covered with a copper foil. The tray has an automatic mecanical valve that allow water to soak the coco. You just put your microgreens trays on the copper ( it will control the roots and allows a wick watering ). Nutrient solution comes from a 9 gallons reservoir placed on top of the shelf. Everything is electricity free. Only gravity. Works like a charm. You should give it a try. And you can save energy and water with this system. And you don't need unholed trays with it. Bye !
cool!!
#3 is something I've thought of before stepping in my first market. I think most people think micros are a fad or something you eat only on a salad or sandwich. Everything I use them on something I eat, I post it on IG. Have a plan to further expand on recipes with local chefs.
Yes, great idea, the education is so important in this business!!
Very important notes and if listend to, they will really help
Do you have any videos on how you take payments from customers or your invoicing process?
Great video! Thanks!
Glad you liked it!
Appreciate all your content, man!
Much love, I appreciate you!!
What printer you use to print your labels? I'm looking for the most cost efficient yet makes beautiful coloured labels.
i dont print them, i use stickermule for my stickers. Theres a link below in the description if you want a coupon
Sorry to hear about your landlord; compulsive liars love to prey on good, honest people but outing them, using it as a learning experience, and moving forward is the best revenge. Mistakes really are the stepping stones of success, thanks for sharing your wisdom. Look forward to seeing you build out your new garden with watering automation. A video on what points a good lease might include would be helpful.
Exactly! Thanks for your comment, cant wait to share! And yes great idea for another video 💯💯
hows your current land l,ord? or did you buy?
I'm not quite big enough to afford automated watering (23 trays/100ish clamshells per week) at this point. When I get there, can I retrofit my racks? And more importantly how do I do so? Thanks!
Yes, use flood and drain tables
Hey man, where are those crop optimising videos you said you'd do?
fianlly getting back to making content
I can’t tell from your tour video if you have lights on each shelf level. It almost looks like one light bar for each rack? TIA
Great video Donny, I’m really enjoying the content 👍
Thanks Shane!
Still in the learning process but your info and "don't dos" are amazing
MUCH love 🌱💚💚💚
Can't wait for the detailed video about the landlord. What is wrong with some people!!!
Hahaha crazy right? Whatever. Im so thankful that im me and not him 😁
What’s your plan for auto watering? Be been looking into several designs but can’t decide on one. Any advice videos sites etc. you’d recommend ?
What software do you use. I am intrested in starting my own micro greens business in Canada.
You can find links to all the seeds, supplies and equipment I use in the descriptions of my RUclips videos! Including software
Hi Donny, do you lose a lot of customers when you have shut down your business or have to delay things (watering issues, etc.)?
No, im sure most of my customers will come back once im up and running again
Love this one Donny 💪🏽
Thank you!!!
Have you considered adding livestock that would consume the waste from micro greens? Chickens or pigs possibly?
No, I haven’t had my own property yet. Now that i do, im going to compost. Will probably get some chickens eventually
Nice .....respect from Moldova)
Is there a video about automatic water system?
Yes. Search for it using the search bar on youtube or in my youtube channel
Where are you sourcing your flood and drain supplies and do you have a specific design you're trying to emulate? I know some companies like Bootstrap Farmer have prefabricated units but they're $$$$. I want to build a flood and drain system but am worried about it clogging with dirt. Can you recommend a system that is tried and true? Thanks!
With flood and drain, algae control is problematic
Hi,
I m new to hydroponic fodder system, I learnt it a little bit and can grow them in 10 days but my goats not eat them just eat 10 - 20 % happily?
goat lifeeee
Thanks for the insight much appreciated Donny, peace.
Much love, thanks for the comment!! 🌱💚
What kind of lights you are using?
You can find links to all the seeds, supplies and equipment I use in the descriptions of my RUclips videos!
What are some of the best resources for information about microgreens (specific, books, forums, websites, etc...) that you have used over your years of growing them? Specifically about nutrition, growing education and growing systems?
Thanks!
I'm starting my own closet grow at the end of May!
Dose micro greens or regular plants have more calories?
May I suggest something to you? Have a video monitor on your automatic watering system.
Thatd be awesome wouldnt it!! What specific uses are you imagining? like people being able to watch their plants/orders grow?
@@DonnyGreens in case you spring a leak.
Ohh i see lol! Yes, great idea, thank you
Thanks! Great video but what did your landlord not provide that he promised resulting in you not paying him, no offense but that part was pretty vague but yeah it's good advice to get written contracts or atleast some documentation for rentals instead of purely verbal
Just great and thanks
Thanks buddy it's very informative.
You are very welcome! Thanks for your comment 🌱💚
I definitely witnessed total farms going down due to locating grow space next to an industrial area with multiple different fumes close to the area , bad ventilation end up causing mould and losing the crop in addition to having a cat around 😅
Yikes!
What is the distance between the lamp and the plant in cm?
Hey, danny, do you use a 18×48×72 wire shelving???
No, there’s a link below in the description to the exact racks i use
@@DonnyGreens thanks
So I live in the desert and things dry out at a much faster rate than I'm used to. Automating watering is literally one of the first things I'm doing, because it's hard to relearn
Great idea!! Good thinking
How long do keep lights on?
12/12
I never learned how to properly sell them after I loaded up on equipment and took up my whole basement. I just never found a good market and there already was many people already doing this in my area I found out. I at least enjoy eating them and learned how to grow most of them really well.
Ahh that's a great comment! I can see how that could happen. Have you found any local farmers markets to start you off?
Slick, the greens at the flea mkt, at the health food store and at my publix super mkt were below standard for me. They didn't follow up on their products and failed. I was so excited to see greens at Publix but close inspection, I wouldn't buy them for my dog.
@@DonnyGreens I did but I think I could have put more effort into it and I scaled down by about 10x just to grow indoors for myself about a year ago. I would like to figure it out and lately have been thinking about trying it again especially with food prices rising as they are. I put the most effort into selling on FB and online but it wasn't consistent and I wasted a lot of micros.
@@nancyfahey7518 I love the ones I grow and imo I do a pretty good job on growing most microgreens.
I listened to, too many nay sayers and didn’t stick with it even though my neighbors loved my product. I was being told don’t do it there is no money in it, and you won’t be able to make a living. So I stayed in plumbing but ended up getting injured to the point I could no longer do that type of work. But, I still didn’t give my dream job a chance.
commenting for your algorithm homie
Not sure if I watered enough or not enough, never got any successful germination, so I gave up micro-green farming.
Interesting. Did you follow my instructional video on how to grow microgreens?
Beautiful video! Great message. You’re honest - you will come out ahead. You also seem happy. 👍 I’m just growing sprouts and microgreens for myself and my family. Loving every minute and the nutrition. Best wishes!
Keeping this one in my library to watch over and over. How's that for a comment?
Haha awesome, love it!!! 🌱💚💚💚💚
What issues come about when using a screen instead of soil to grow Microgreens?
Good question. All seeds are not created equal...I prefer coir...Screens are difficult to clean...
Thanks Donny for sharing your mistakes and wisdom. Yes, I am a landlord myself. I also learned my mistakes by being so nice and generous that rotten tenants took advantage of me. I finally had to call the cops to give him a warning and thereafter I kicked him out for lying on his application form and his references. Donny, just a suggestion for improving your client's retention. You might want to follow up with an email to new clients after his first microgreen meal and perhaps give some educational material about the health benefits of eating those microgreen products. Health education is important because that will motivate them to explore new microgreen products. Besides, keeping existing clients happy is cheaper and more important than getting new clients. They will refer their friends and family members to you when they are happy with your products.
That's not how it works. You don't just call the cops to evict a tenant. It gets taken to court and then the court orders a sheriff or constable to perform eviction.
Your awesome thanks 🙏
I tried short cuts. Not having ALL the right equipment. I lost a lot of money thinking all I needed was, seeds, dirt and cheap trays. I just gave up and I am sad that I did, but I don't have the means to start over.
So get a job?
Oof that's a big reason why I make these videos and educate! So people get off to the right start the buy the right stuff!! Hopefully one day you will be able to start it back up!
Don't me mean
@@excelsior8682 I am 79 years old and retired.
@@sandrawalkerhaliburton1884 You can do it despite this! Find a way
Something I learned was between indoor and outdoor growing. Started sweet corn & popcorn, wife loved it. I hated it. To sweet.
Tried sunflower, worked out well. 8-10 days for harvest. Loved the flavor.
Tried black eyed peas. Started off without a hitch. As soon as I put them outside for sun they attracted flies , hundreds of them. I lost four trays because I wasn’t eating it. Did some research (google) and yes certain peas attract flies. So it would’ve worked inside but not outside for me.
Lesson learned. Now I know
I’ve learned a lot from ya Donnie.
Thanks 👍🇺🇸
Great video Donny, I would like to ask, how long do you let your fans run? Are they on the same cycle as your lights ? Are you using the fans the moment they are put under the lights. Thank you
Airflow is critical…24/7
I have my fans on when im not in the farm because they are noisy. So basically on all the tome besides a few hours during the day
It'a funny because that exectly what I'm doing...learn to learn ! I'm eating micros now and learn to apreciate them as food and experience in my appt. hew to grow them and master the process
Yess love it!! Sounds like this challenge would actually be perfect for you considering this! Check it out: onetrayaway.com/
I never charged enough for my valuable skills. Now I'm forced by cancer to stop working outdoors and avoid the solvents and oxidizers I was working with.
A very happy customer was overjoyed when I saved him $30K on repairs. He gave me a Green Star cold press juicer. The juicing has led me here. No one is producing sprouts in my city of a million citizens so maybe microgreens are my ticket out of the hopelessness and despair that accomanies living in a regressive afflicted city.
Update: One ad appeared on the local CL. A private, homegrower was sslling a variety of sprouts. I replied, curioys to see what she/he had going. The seller emailed back later that they were sold out in one day but would add me to their list.
More incentive to get on with it and at least grow my own before attempting any ventures. It took and number of calls to finally locate some seeds and grains for sprouting.
Online mail order, for me, is just SO f'd up.
I'm still wating on a surveillance camera that was probably a scam...rot in hell, bastards.
Mistskes, the only thing I can do consistently ~
Try and keep your head up! Sorry for your struggles. Try growing them for yourself!
At 4:15 I can't hire people because I am too brutal with them!. If I hire people when they don't do what I say?, I cracked the whip and when I crack the whip?, firing will be the last thing on their mind as I'm giving them 35 lashes!. I do give them 35 lashes like the days of old. 😂👏👏💪
I've heard it said, "Hire slow, fire fast."
Yep, exactly!
Loved video. Anyone selling 10x20 trays with and without holes? Need 15 sets ASAP!
Thank you! You can grab those online. find links to all the seeds, supplies and equipment I use in the descriptions of my RUclips videos!
I bought wayy to many different ones. I have my main crops. But I wanted to do monthly special. And I have micros I just can't master. 😡
Try scaling down your varieties. Start with just a few. I grew only 5 or 6 varieties for five years!!
@@DonnyGreens yes. I was just over zealous and wanted to try them alllll 😂😂 I now run peas, sunnies, cabbage, broccoli.
I still want to offer a monthly special. But I Def need to master those down the line.
Thank you for your reply. 😊🌱
I think the biggest mistake I made was repeatedly farting into a canister that I would pressurise which allowed me to create a slow release fart gas mist to spray my crops with. Everything always died and I could never figure out why until I developed an obsession with steak and kidney pies and realised the stench of the farts was probably highly toxic… thousands of dollars just wasted all because of farts
interesting
The market in Romania is now at 3,4,5 mil per Year, in the next years will be 20,30,50,150 mil , we know something….🙌
Oh yeah? Romania is where it's at?!!
@@DonnyGreens it’s only 2 years this business here
🌱🌱 Excellent vid Donny.....I have yet to start even as a hobby...but appreciate the info! 🌱🌱
No problem, thanks so much for watching and commenting. Stay tuned for late June of this year, I'll be launching something that will help you get started :)
I have listened to gary v.....hard truths
It's hard to trust people, some people sabotage your business on purpose to make you loose credibility.
Definitely. People get weird and jealous and are just unhappy so they try to bring others down
So, you stopped paying your landlord because he was impacting your business? or you stopped paying him because you could get away with no rent due to Covid19? Were you producing during this time?
The hiring and firing. No kidding. I just got fired after six years of stellar performance, for reporting bad behavior by a punk they just hired.
That is why I am going back into farming and getting training from someone half my age, you.
The future looks exciting.
Haha everything happens for a reason
@@DonnyGreens if we only knew the reasons...