Quick Start Guide

Quick Start Guide#

This guide will help you set up GroBase and begin tracking your first grow.

You will learn how to update your preferences, create a Journal and Cycle, add plants and lights, record daily activity, and complete your Cycle.

You do not need to configure every GroBase feature before getting started. Begin with the information that is useful to you and add more detail over time.

Update Your Preferred Settings#

Before creating your first grow, review your preferred settings.

You can choose your timezone and preferred units for temperature, water volume, conductivity, and weight. GroBase uses these settings when displaying and recording grow information.

You can also choose between Simple View and Advanced View.

  • Simple View focuses on the tools used for everyday grow tracking.

  • Advanced View provides access to additional templates, integrations, analytics, and detailed tracking tools.

You can change your view at any time without affecting your saved data.

For instructions, refer to Update Your Preferred Settings.

Create a Journal#

A Journal is the main space used to organize your grow Cycles.

You can keep all your Cycles in one Journal or create separate Journals for different grow spaces, locations, or projects.

For instructions, refer to How to Add a Journal.

Create a Cycle#

A Cycle represents a grow from its starting point through harvest or completion.

When creating a Cycle, you can enter basic information such as its name, grow medium, watering method, and stage start dates. The stage dates help GroBase determine the correct stage and Day number when recording activity.

For instructions, refer to How to Add a Cycle.

Add Cycle Plants#

Cycle Plants represent the individual plants in your grow.

Add each plant you want to track. You can record its name, genetic, flowering type, container, area, status, and other plant-specific information.

You can return later to add notes, watering information, training actions, photos, and other updates.

For instructions, refer to How to Add a Plant.

Add Cycle Lights#

Cycle Lights represent the lights being used during a Cycle.

You can enter basic details such as the light name, ppfd, and height. Additional lighting measurements can be recorded as your grow progresses.

Adding lights is optional, especially for outdoor grows.

For instructions, refer to How to Add a Cycle Light.

Record Your First Update#

There are two ways to record daily grow information:

Quick Log#

Use Quick Log when you only need to record a specific activity or measurement.

Quick Log can be used to record:

  • Notes

  • Watering

  • Environmental readings

  • Training

  • Plant notes

  • Light notes

  • Photos

Select a Cycle and date, then choose what you want to record. GroBase will determine the correct growth stage and create the Day automatically if it does not already exist.

Full Day Entry#

Use Full Day Entry when you want to record several types of information at once.

All Day fields are optional, so you only need to enter the information you recorded. You do not need to enter placeholder values for missing measurements.

For more information about Days, refer to How to Add a Day.

Create Templates#

Templates are reusable setups that can save time when creating plants, lights, containers, areas, resources, and other grow records.

Templates are helpful when you regularly use the same equipment, genetics, grow spaces, or products, but they are not required before creating your first Cycle.

For a complete guide, refer to Templates.

Available template guides include:

Continue Tracking Your Grow#

As your grow progresses, continue recording the information that is useful to you.

You may want to track:

  • Environmental readings

  • Watering and feeding

  • Plant growth

  • Training actions

  • Lighting adjustments

  • Notes and observations

  • Photos

  • Tasks and reminders

You can keep your records simple or use the more detailed tools available in Advanced View.

Complete the Cycle#

When the grow is finished, mark the Cycle as Completed and enter its completion date.

Completed Cycles remain available for review, comparison, and future reference.

For instructions, refer to How to Mark a Cycle as Completed.