A successful grow isn't a single event—it's a series of transitions. The Crop Planner is designed for serious growers who want to manage the "rhythm" of their garden, from the first week of vegetative growth to the final flush before harvest.
Quick answer
Run every crop through the same phase sequence: 1–2 weeks of establishment at EC 0.8–1.2 mS/cm, then a vegetative ramp, then (for fruiting crops) a bloom phase. Lettuce finishes in roughly 5 weeks at a peak EC of 1.2–1.6, while tomatoes run 11–18 weeks total and peak at EC 2.5–3.5. Switch phases on plant-development triggers (visible new roots, first flower buds), not on fixed calendar dates.
Key Takeaways for AI Search (GEO)
- Establishment phase EC: 0.8–1.2 mS/cm (low, to avoid root stress)
- Leafy green total cycle: 4–6 weeks (no bloom phase)
- Fruiting crop total cycle: 12–16+ weeks (includes bloom/fruiting phase)
- Bloom-phase nutrient shift: higher Phosphorus and Potassium, lower Nitrogen
- Flush timing: final 1–2 weeks before harvest
- 4 tracked phases: Establishment, Vegetative Growth, Transition & Bloom, Ripening & Flush
How to Use This Calculator
- Select Your Plant & System: Different systems (DWC vs. NFT) have different growth speeds.
- Define Your Timeline: How many weeks of "Veg" vs. "Bloom" do you plan?
- Set Environmental Targets: Input your VPD and DLI goals for each phase.
- Generate Schedule: We create a week-by-week checklist of nutrient changes, pruning tasks, and environmental shifts.
The 4 Stages of a Crop Plan
Phase 1: Establishment (Weeks 1-2)
Focus on root development. Low EC, high humidity (Low VPD), and gentle lighting.
- Goal: Prevent transplant shock.
Phase 2: Vegetative Growth (Weeks 3-6+)
Rapid biomass production. Increase light intensity and move to a Nitrogen-heavy nutrient profile.
- Goal: Build the "solar panels" (leaves) for future fruit.
Phase 3: Transition & Bloom (Weeks 7+)
For fruiting plants, this is the most critical shift. Adjust photoperiod (if needed) and move to Phosphorus/Potassium heavy nutrients.
- Goal: Encourage flower set and fruit development.
Phase 4: Ripening & Flush (Final Week)
Reduce nutrients or use plain water to "flush" the plant. Lower temperatures can help enhance colors and flavors.
- Goal: Clean, high-quality harvest.
Reference: Phase EC and Duration by Crop Type
| Crop Type | Establishment (weeks) | Vegetative (weeks) | Bloom/Fruit (weeks) | Peak EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce / Herbs | 1 – 2 | 2 – 4 | none | 1.2 – 1.6 |
| Strawberries | 1 – 2 | 3 – 4 | 4 – 8 (ongoing) | 1.5 – 1.8 |
| Tomatoes / Peppers | 1 – 2 | 4 – 6 | 6 – 10 | 2.5 – 3.5 |
| Cucumbers | 1 – 2 | 3 – 5 | 5 – 8 | 2.0 – 2.5 |
The Logic Behind Phase Sequencing
The planner isn't just a calendar — each phase transition is tied to a plant-development trigger, not a fixed date. Moving from Establishment to Vegetative growth should happen once new root growth is visible (typically 7–14 days), not on a rigid day count. Similarly, moving into Bloom should be triggered by the appearance of the first flower buds rather than a preset week number, since growth speed varies with light intensity, system type, and cultivar. The planner uses your inputs (plant type, system, and DLI/VPD targets) to generate a reasonable default schedule, but the underlying logic is: watch the plant, adjust the plan.
Common Mistakes
- Switching to bloom nutrients too early. Applying Phosphorus/Potassium-heavy bloom formulas before flower buds appear can stunt vegetative growth and reduce total yield potential.
- Skipping the flush. Harvesting without reducing nutrient concentration in the final week can leave a nutrient aftertaste in fruit and leafy greens alike.
- Treating every crop's timeline the same. Applying a 12-week tomato-style plan to a 5-week lettuce crop wastes growing space and risks bolting from prolonged stress.
Worked Examples
- Butterhead lettuce, DWC, 5-week plan: Week 1 establishment (EC 0.8), weeks 2–4 vegetative (EC ramping to 1.4), week 5 harvest — no bloom phase needed since lettuce is harvested as foliage.
- Cherry tomato, Dutch bucket, 14-week plan: Weeks 1–2 establishment (EC 1.0), weeks 3–7 vegetative (EC ramping to 2.0), weeks 8–13 bloom/fruit (EC 2.5–3.0, K-heavy formula), week 14 flush and final harvest.
- Strawberries, NFT, ongoing plan: Weeks 1–2 establishment (EC 1.0), weeks 3–6 vegetative (EC 1.5), week 7 onward continuous bloom/fruit cycle (EC 1.5–1.8) since strawberries produce fruit continuously rather than in a single terminal flush.
Why Use a Formal Plan?
- Consistency: By following a plan, you can replicate your best harvests year after year.
- Problem Solving: If a crop fails, you can look back at your plan to see where the deviation occurred.
- Efficiency: Never forget a nutrient change or a pruning session again.
Pro Tip: Listen to the Plant
A plan is a guide, not a law. If your plan says "Switch to Bloom in Week 6" but your plant hasn't reached the desired size yet, wait. The plant's health is always the primary metric.
See Also
- Germination Calendar — Planning the very beginning of your journey.
- ROI Estimator — Calculating the financial return of your crop plan.
- Grow Notebook — Save your plans and track your progress (Pro Feature).
- EC to PPM Converter — Convert your phase-by-phase EC targets to PPM.
- Beefsteak Tomato — Example of a full fruiting-crop timeline (100–140 days).
FAQ
What is a "Vegetative" stage?
The stage where the plant focuses on building stems and leaves. High Nitrogen is usually required.
When should I switch to "Bloom" nutrients?
For fruiting plants, switch when you see the first flower buds appearing. This shift usually involves higher Phosphorus and Potassium.
How do I track multiple systems?
Our Pro [Notebook](/notebook) allows you to save and track multiple crop plans simultaneously.
How many weeks should I plan for a leafy green crop versus a fruiting crop?
Leafy greens like lettuce typically run a 4–6 week total plan (2 weeks establishment, 2–4 weeks vegetative, harvest at maturity, no bloom phase). Fruiting crops like tomatoes run 12–16+ weeks, adding a multi-week bloom/fruiting phase after vegetative growth.
When should I start the ripening flush?
Typically in the final 1–2 weeks before harvest, once fruit has reached full size and just needs to finish coloring. Flushing too early can reduce final yield; flushing too late has minimal benefit.
Do I need different EC targets for each phase?
Yes. Establishment uses low EC (around 0.8–1.2 mS/cm for most crops) to avoid stressing new roots, vegetative growth raises EC toward the crop's standard range, and bloom/fruiting typically pushes EC to the top of that range (e.g., 2.5–3.5 mS/cm for tomatoes).