Soil Temperature Influences When to Plant

As gardeners we are always watching the weather and checking the calendar to estimate the best time to plant. We often overlook a critical factor, soil temperature, when making our plans.

Invest in a soil thermometer and start tracking soil temperatures before planting seeds, transplants and bulbs. Measure the soil temperature at about 4 to 6 inches deep.

Cool season crops like lettuce, kale, spinach, radishes, beets and peas can be planted when the soil is in the 40’s or warmer. Warm season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and squash do best when the soil is warmer, from 55 to 60 degrees or more, depending on the plant.

Colorado State University’s Vegetable Planting Guide lists the minimum, maximum and optimum planting temperatures for most of the commonly grown vegetables.

A bit more information:  Planting when the soil temperatures are optimum will speed seed germination and reduce transplant shock.  Plants placed in the garden when the temperatures are ideal can reduce the time between planting and harvest.

Tags

lettuce spinach tomatoes peppers kale radishes beets summer-squash winter-squash peas

Related

Audio

Use Row Cover for Chemical-Free Insect Control

Audio

Grow and Use Red Climbing Spinach (Basella rubra)

Audio

Plant a Row for the Hungry in Your Community

Audio

Preventing Squash Vine Borer Damage

Audio

Fruit and Vegetable Prints

Audio

When to Plant Vegetable Seeds or Transplants

Audio

Flea Beetles

Audio

Be the First to Harvest a Red Ripe Tomato this Season

Audio

Boost Your Garden’s Productivity with Pollinator Plants

Audio

Kalette

• « Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• ...
• 26
• 27
• Next »