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Microgreens Harvest Cycle Planner

Plan a steady microgreens harvest schedule — how many trays need to be in rotation at any time, and how many to start at each planting session, to hit a consistent daily or weekly yield.

Trays in rotation at any time20
Trays to start per planting session2

How to measure your inputs

  • Grow cycle length: days from sowing to harvest for your specific crop and setup — use your own past grows rather than a generic figure.

Methodology

Pipeline/succession-planting math: trays in rotation = target trays per harvest × grow cycle days. Trays per planting session = target trays per harvest × days between plantings.

Succession planting: the difference between a one-off batch and a steady supply

Why a steady harvest needs trays "in the pipeline"

If you want fresh microgreens every day but each tray takes 10 days to mature, you can’t just plant once — you need a rolling set of trays at every stage of growth simultaneously, with a new batch started every day (or on whatever schedule you choose) to replace what you harvest.

Why grow cycle length is left as your own input

Days-to-harvest varies by crop (fast radish/mustard around 7-10 days, slower pea shoots and sunflower often 10-14 days) but also by your specific growing conditions — temperature, light, and seed lot all shift it. Use your own track record for your setup rather than a generic figure, since this number directly determines how many trays you need in rotation.

Batching plantings instead of planting daily

Not everyone wants to seed a tray every single day — planting a larger batch weekly is common for those managing a smaller operation. The trade-off is a larger single planting session versus daily small ones; total trays needed "in rotation" stays the same either way.

Frequently asked questions

How many trays do I need to always have fresh microgreens?

Multiply your daily harvest target by your crop’s grow cycle length in days — that’s how many trays need to be at some stage of growth at any given moment to sustain a steady daily harvest.

Can I plant less often than daily?

Yes — planting weekly in a larger batch works the same way, just multiply your daily target by 7 for how many trays to start each week instead of a smaller number every day.

What if my grow cycle length varies by season?

Re-run the calculation with your season-specific grow cycle length — slower winter growth (less light, cooler temperatures) typically means a longer cycle and more trays needed in rotation to maintain the same harvest rate.

Does this account for crop failures reducing my harvest?

No — this assumes every tray you start reaches a successful harvest. If failures are common in your operation, plant a few extra trays beyond the calculated minimum as a buffer.