Just in case home gardeners have not really considered the importance of soil temperature, Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini says you should. Soil temperature, she says, affects germination of many garden foods.
Domenghini said peas can sprout in soil that is 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while lettuce can germinate in 35 F.
“Crops -- such as tomatoes, corn and other warm-season veggies -- need the soil to be at least 55 F for success,” Domenghini said. “Peppers, cucumbers and melons need even warmer soil.”
The Kansas Mesonet is a resource for guidance on what’s happening below the ground. Domenghini said gardeners can also take their own soil temperature measurements using a soil thermometer, and measuring the soil at least 2.5 inches deep during late morning.
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Categories: Kansas, Crops, Corn, Weather