{"id":750,"date":"2014-10-25T14:34:15","date_gmt":"2014-10-25T19:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theiowagardener.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=750"},"modified":"2025-03-05T10:21:46","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T16:21:46","slug":"planting-soil-temperatures","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/theiowagardener.com\/wordpress\/planting-soil-temperatures\/","title":{"rendered":"Planting Soil Temperatures"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/address>\n\n\n\n

The coolness or warmth of the soil (rather than the air) is key in knowing when to plant seeds or seedlings outside directly in the soil.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"soil<\/a>
A soil thermometer takes fast, accurate readings of soil warmth or coolness.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There’s an old saying that Iowa farmers know that the soil has warmed up enough to plant corn when they drop their drawers and can sit on the ground comfortably. But it’s a bit more practical (not to mention modest) to be scientific about it. A soil thermometer can be a cold-climate gardener’s best friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most seeds\u2014especially early in the season\u2014are picky about the temperature of their soil. Here in the Midwest, the weather can vary so wildly that ideal planting times can also vary by up to three or so weeks. So don’t leave it up to chance: Invest in a soil thermometer to tell you the actual soil temperature in ajust a minute or two. They start at about $10 and are easily findable online by searching for “soil thermometer”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listed below are the soil temperatures at which various vegetables should be planted.* The plants with an asterisk next to them are usually planted as small plants or seedlings rather than planting the seeds directly in the soil. The temperatures are based on temperatures taken at 8 a.m. at 4 inches deep. (For beans, take the temperature at 6 inches.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cool-Season Crops<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Vegetable<\/strong><\/td>Germination Temperature \u00b0F<\/strong>
minimum\/optimum\/maximum<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Beets<\/td>40\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Broccoli*<\/td>40\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Cabbage*<\/td>40\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Carrots<\/td>40\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Cauliflower*<\/td>40\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Leeks<\/td>40\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Lettuce<\/td>35\u00b0\/70\u00b0\/70\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Onions, green<\/td>35\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Onions, dry sets<\/td>35\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Parsnips<\/td>35\u00b0\/70\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Peas<\/td>40\u00b0\/70\u00b0\/80\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Potatoes<\/td>45\u00b0 and up<\/td><\/tr>
Radishes<\/td>40\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Spinach<\/td>40\u00b0\/70\u00b0\/70\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Swiss chard<\/td>40\u00b0\/85\u00b0\/95\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Turnips<\/td>40\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/100\u00b0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Warm-Season Crops<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Vegetable<\/strong><\/td>Germination Temperature \u00b0F<\/strong>
minimum\/optimum\/maximum<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Beans<\/td>55\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Cantaloupe<\/td>60\u00b0\/90\u00b0\/100\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Corn<\/td>50\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/100\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Cucumbers<\/td>60\u00b0\/90\u00b0\/100\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Eggplant*<\/td>60\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Peppers*<\/td>60\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/90\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Tomato*<\/td>50\u00b0\/80\u00b0\/100\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Squash<\/td>60\u00b0\/90\u00b0\/100\u00b0<\/td><\/tr>
Watermelons<\/td>60\u00b0\/90\u00b0\/110\u00b0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: Colorado State University Horticulture Extension<\/em>
\u2022 Usually planted as established seedlings, not as seed.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Links of Interest:<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

How To Direct Sow Seeds In Iowa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Easiest Plants To Start From Seeds<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please do not use content from this site without express permission from The Iowa Gardener.\u00a0Click here<\/a><\/span>\u00a0to request permission to use.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The coolness or warmth of the soil (rather than the air) is key in knowing when to plant seeds or seedlings outside directly in the soil. There’s an old saying that Iowa farmers know that the soil has warmed up enough to plant corn when they drop their drawers and can sit on the ground […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1586,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,1],"tags":[149,151,146,147,148],"class_list":["post-750","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-garden-know-how","category-uncategorized","tag-cool-season","tag-crops","tag-soil-temperature","tag-temperature","tag-thermometer"],"yoast_head":"\nPlanting Soil Temperatures - The Iowa Gardener<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Soil temperature is an important part of planting seeds and seedlings. 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