Tray batch planner

Turn one crop's timing into a repeatable sowing calendar, then total the trays, seed and fresh growing medium.

Starting numbers illustrate the calculation. Replace them with your measured tray and crop records; they are not a growing recipe.

1. Sowing and turnaround

First sowing dateDays from sowing to harvestDays between sowingsNumber of batchesGrowing trays in each batchExtra days held after harvest

Trays remain occupied on harvest day. Extra holding days allow for your cleanup and turnaround; zero makes a tray available the following day.

2. Medium and seed

Tray measurements

Inside length (in)Inside width (in)Chosen fill depth (in)Your seed rate (grams per tray)Growing-medium bag volume (liters)

Use inside dimensions at the fill level, not a tray's nominal size. Enter a rate for this crop and tray from your supplier guidance or a measured trial. Changing tray size does not automatically change the seed rate.

Calculation method and limits

A batch is sown every entered interval. Harvest date = sow date + entered days to harvest. A tray is available again the day after harvest plus any extra holding days. The tool counts every overlapping batch at each sowing date to find the greatest number of trays in use.

Per-tray liters = inside length × width × chosen depth in centimeters ÷ 1,000. Total fresh medium = that volume × trays per batch × batch count. Seed uses your entered grams per tray in the same way. Bag counts round up; there is no added waste allowance. One inch is 2.54 centimeters.

This rectangular estimate does not model tapered tray walls, compressed medium, mats, plugs, seed loss or changes in growth rate. It counts all growing trays as separate spaces, including germination; stacking, lights, shelf capacity and structural loads need a separate layout. Use a fresh-medium plan for each batch and clean reusable equipment before reuse. The tool does not determine whether a crop is safe to eat, ready to harvest or suitable for a particular system.

Fit the equipment around the plan

The calculator counts growing trays. A solid catch tray provides a separate watering layer; check dimensions and depth before nesting trays. Compact snips suit small harvests. Compare pack quantities and tool fit against your own routine.

Bootstrap Farmer

Microgreens & shoots

Bootstrap Farmer shallow 1020 microgreen trays with holes, black, 10-pack

Repeated small-crop microgreen batches on a measured shelf, with separate bottom-watering trays already planned.

Check price on Amazon (paid link) Specs & tradeoffs

Fiskars

Microgreens & shoots

Fiskars Micro-Tip pruning snips, 6-inch, 399240-1003

Small microgreen harvests and selective soft-stem trimming where controlled placement matters more than covering a wide swath.

Check price on Amazon (paid link) Specs & tradeoffs

Bootstrap Farmer

Seed starting

Bootstrap Farmer 1020 Extra Strength No-Hole Trays, Pink, 10-Pack

Reusable 1020 seed-starting setups that need a no-hole bottom tray and clear batch organization.

Check price on Amazon (paid link) Specs & tradeoffs

Put your plan into practice

Use these guides to check the growing decisions behind your inputs.

Microgreens & shoots · 7 min read

Plan Repeated Microgreen Batches and Buy the Right Quantities

Build a microgreen sowing calendar from observed harvest time, count overlapping trays, and calculate seed and fresh medium without turning examples into crop prescriptions.

Read the guide

Microgreens & shoots · 6 min read

Choose Microgreen Trays and Growing Medium as One Watering System

Compare shallow trays, drain holes, catch trays, loose growing mix and mats for a microgreen setup you can water and clean reliably.

Read the guide

Microgreens & shoots · 6 min read

Choose Microgreen Crops for Flavor, Harvest Timing and a Clean Home Routine

Choose edible microgreen seeds, separate fast and slow crops, recognize harvest stages, and organize sowing and cutting around hygienic food handling.

Read the guide