If you grow pea shoots and radish microgreens for restaurants or hotels, a consistent setup makes it easier to repeat each crop cycle. Start with a standard tray size, hemp mats that fit flat, and a watering routine suited to each crop. A small trial with 600 GSM and 1,300 GSM hemp mats can help you choose the right mat for each crop.
Using 50 × 24 cm Hemp Mats in 1020 Trays
For bottom watering, pair a perforated growing tray with a solid bottom tray. Place the hemp mat in the upper tray and add water to the lower tray, which also catches any excess as the mat drains.
Before ordering 50 × 24 cm mats, check the inside dimensions at the base of your 1020 tray. The mat should lie flat without curling up at the edges.
600 or 1,300 GSM for Peas and Radishes?
GSM stands for grams per square meter and tells you how much the mat weighs per unit of area. To see how each mat performs in your setup, run a four-tray trial with one tray per crop and mat weight.
| Crop | Hemp mats to test | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Pea shoots | One tray at 600 GSM and one at 1,300 GSM | How firmly do the roots anchor in the mat? How often does each tray need watering? |
| Radish microgreens | One tray at 600 GSM and one at 1,300 GSM | How evenly do the seeds germinate? How moist does the surface stay between waterings? |
For each crop, keep the seeding rate, light, temperature, and initial water volume the same across both trays. To compare water uptake, weigh each mat before watering and again after letting both mats drain for the same amount of time. Record watering intervals and check the condition of each mat through harvest. Use those observations to choose a mat weight for each crop.
From a Trial Run to Regular Production
A small batch lets you test the full workflow, from sowing and watering to packing. If you plan to ship your microgreens in folding cartons or moisture-resistant outer boxes, test the packaging under the storage and transport conditions you expect to use.
Once you know how many 1020 trays you’ll sow each week and which mat you’ll use for each crop, you can estimate your monthly requirements. Use those figures to discuss minimum order quantities, volume pricing, and delivery schedules.
Planning a trial with pea shoots and radish microgreens? Ask us about samples of our 50 × 24 cm hemp mats in both weights and compatible 1020 trays.