Grow microgreens at home with Kickstarter campaign the EcoQube Sprout

EcoQube from Aqua Design Innovations (ADI) is adding a new product to their already impressive lineup of self-sustaining and very low maintenance and aquatic ecosystems. This time around the company is putting out the , seeking funding on Kickstarter for the modular and stackable micro-garden that nutritious micro-veggies and microgreens in your own home.

The EcoQube Sprout is meant to be very simple to use and requires almost no attention from you. Here’s how to use it: Once you receive the micro-garden, add water and the included seed-pad and seeds to the specially-designed grow tray. That’s it. There is no soil, fertilizer, special lighting, or plant food required. 

Since it doesn’t use soil, there’s no pests either. You don’t even have to water it daily — just wait less than 10 days for delicious micro-veggies to grow, including broccoli, kale, and arugula sprouts, and then later harvest using a pair of scissors. 

“For many people who live in more urban areas, like New York, it’s rare that you have a backyard or even enough indoor space to grow your own healthy veggies,” said Toni Beck, chief marketing officer at Aqua Design Innovations. “We designed EcoQube Sprout for the urban dweller who wants fresh greens but just doesn’t have enough space or time.”

The company’s aquaponic technology accelerates the growing process, while giving more nutrients to plants without the use of soil or constant watering. The micro-garden’s reservoir was designed to deliver water upwards using capillary action, while the seed pads simply absorb the life-giving water as it’s needed until it’s time to harvest. 

Check out the Kickstarter video below:

So what are microgreens, exactly? According to the , they are “tiny, tender, edible greens that germinate in soil or a soil substitute from the seeds of vegetables and herbs.” Microgreens fall somewhere between baby greens and sprouts, and feature up to 40 times more nutrients than your average greens. They are considered “superfoods” because of their flavor and superior nutritional value. 

“It was really important for us to design the Sprout for everyone, of all ages, to grow their own fresh food easily indoors.”

During the 1980s, chefs in upscale restaurants and markets in San Francisco started to use microgreens to garnish salads, soups, sandwiches, and plates because of their color, texture, and unique flavor profile in savory meals. Today, this culinary practice has expanded to more kitchens and restaurants worldwide. 

“We believe that the future of food production is through the use of aquaponics, hydroponics, and aeroponics. With these technologies we can grow food 30-50 percent faster while using 90 percent less water,” said Beck. “We can grow more efficiently using less space and less water, allowing us to produce more food. It was really important for us to design the Sprout for everyone, of all ages, to grow their own fresh food easily indoors.”

A group of former UC San Diego students founded ADI with the purpose to use their knowledge of building aquatic ecosystems and aquaponics to address the problem of food and water shortages around the world. 

The company’s solution is to look to the environment for innovative answers that are sustainable through their products, such as the EcoQube Frame, , and , which is a hydroponic greenhouse and air purifier. They also found in the past, which is why ADI returned to Kickstarter for the EcoQube Sprout. 

“Kickstarter is our go-to! We love the community that it builds with our growers and that we can get their feedback along the journey,” said Beck.

You can support the for as little as $1, even though it has already surpassed its $10,000 goal. Please keep in mind that the EcoQube Sprout is still a prototype until it’s in the hands of consumers. 

The still has early bird specials starting at $18, which is 28% off its retail price of $25. In the entry-level package, you’ll receive a single EcoQube Sprout grow tray, four seed-pads, a seed-loading spoon, and seed-loader. Shipping begins in May 2019.