Temperature Guides For Seed Starting

Here is a quick guide to help you organize your seed ordering and seed starting efforts for the coming gardening year. These are just a few vegetable varietals we tried and/or problem solved with friends. My take away is: start seeds in their ideal season because their growing energy is not used to combat unseasonable weather conditions. Remember, some like it cool while others love it hot. Consider this factor as you dive into the 5 steps to farming with your fork here.

Optimal Plant Growing Temperatures

Cool Season Crops :: 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit

| Asparagus | Artichoke | Beet | Broad Bean | Broccoli | Brussels Sprouts | Cabbage | Carrot | Cauliflower | Celery | Chard | Chicory | Chinese Cabbage | Chive | Collards | Endive | Garlic | Horseradish | Leek | Lettuce |Mustard | Onion | Parsley| Pea | Potato | |Radish | Spinach |

Warm Season Crops :: 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit

| Beans | Corn | Cucumber | Pumpkin | Squash |

Hot Season Crops :: 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit

| Eggplant | Okra | Hot Pepper | Sweet Pepper | Tomato | Potato | Watermelon|

Optimal Soil Temp For Germination

For the following seeds:

BEANS………… 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit

BEETS…………. 50-85 degrees Fahrenheit

CABBAGE……. 45-95 degrees Fahrenheit

CARROT………. 45-85 degrees Fahrenheit

CAULIFLOWER… 45-85 degrees Fahrenheit

CHARD…………….50-85 degrees Fahrenheit

CORN……………….60-95 degrees Fahrenheit

CUCUMBER……… 60–95 degrees Fahrenheit

EGGPLANT……….. 75-95 degrees Fahrenheit

LETTUCE………….. 40-80 degrees Fahrenheit

OKRA……………….. 70-95 degrees Fahrenheit

ONION……………… 50-95 degrees Fahrenheit

PARSLEY…………… 50-85 degrees Fahrenheit

PEA…………………… 40-75 degrees Fahrenheit

PEPPER……………… 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit

PUMPKIN……………..70-90 degrees Fahrenheit

RADISH………………….45-90 degrees Fahrenheit

SPINACH……………….. 45-75 degrees Fahrenheit

TOMATO………………….60-85 degrees Fahrenheit

TURNIP…………………….60-105 degrees Fahrenheit

WATERMELON…………. 70-95 degrees Fahrenheit

In harmony with these suggestions, use your intuition to create the environment for starting ANY seed you desire within your available time, financial and physical “can do”.

Farming with your fork is a day to day activity you make time for, invest in with your creativity, and create the physical space to thrive.

Share your suggestions and tips with us … Please.