Schedules
Building a Sourdough Feeding and Baking Calendar
Sync your starter feedings with your bake days so your starter is always ready when you need it. A simple planning system.
A sourdough calendar coordinates two cycles — starter feedings and bake days — so your starter is always active and at peak when you plan to mix. The key is counting backward from your bake: feed the starter so it peaks right when you need it.
The two cycles to sync
| Cycle | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Starter feeding | Daily (counter) or weekly (fridge) |
| Baking | Whenever you choose |
The goal is to align them: time your feedings so the starter is bubbly and at peak on the morning you mix dough.
Counting backward from your bake
- Decide your bake day (e.g., Saturday).
- Mixing happens ~18–24 hours before (Friday afternoon, for an overnight proof and Saturday bake).
- Feed the starter 4–8 hours before mixing so it peaks at mix time (Friday morning).
- Pull from the fridge a day earlier if it's been dormant, with one revival feeding (Thursday).
A weekly calendar example
| Day | Starter | Dough |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Pull from fridge, feed | — |
| Friday AM | Feed (peak by afternoon) | — |
| Friday PM | — | Mix, bulk, shape, fridge |
| Saturday AM | Return starter to fridge | Bake |
For frequent bakers
If you bake several times a week, keep the starter on the counter and feed it once or twice daily, mixing dough whenever it's at peak. The calendar gets simpler — the starter is always ready.
Tips
- Mark your jar at feeding time to track the rise.
- Refrigerate the starter between bakes to cut feeding effort.
- Keep a dried backup so a missed cycle never costs you the culture.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I feed before baking?
4–8 hours so it's at peak when you mix. From the fridge, allow a day and 1–2 feedings to wake it up.
What if my schedule changes?
The fridge buys you flexibility — a fed starter or shaped dough can wait there until you're ready.
Do I have to feed on exact days?
No — starters are forgiving. The calendar is a guide, not a rule.
Coordinating feedings and bakes is exactly the kind of planning SourdoughAI automates — it reminds you when to feed so your starter peaks on schedule.