Your cart is currently empty!
Soil and Seed Temperature Germination Chart
How do tomato or lettuce seeds know when the temperature is right for germination? Well, this question will remain unanswered for now. We just know that it’s important that seeds have the right temperatures for germination. Germination temperature usually means soil temperature. During the day, soil stores heat. At night, soil releases heat into the atmosphere.
The University of Nebraska Video included below advocates for planting when soil temperatures are 10 degrees F (about 5 degrees C) above minimum germination temperatures. This concept is supported in our chart.
Seed Temperature Germination Chart
Source: Mostly from University of Oregon. Other information from other sources.
| Crop | Germination Minimum Soil Temperature (°F) | Germination Optimum Soil Temperature Range (°F) | Germination Maximum Soil Temperature (°F) | Days to Germination at Optimal Temps | |||
| Asparagus | 50 | 60-85 | 95 | 14-18 | |||
| Bean, lima | 60 | 75-85 | 85 | 4-10 | |||
| Bean, snap | 60 | 75-85 | 95 | 4-10 | |||
| Beet | 40 | 60-85 | 95 | 4-10 | |||
| Broccoli | 40 | 60-85 | 95 | 7-10 | |||
| Brussels sprouts | 40 | 60-85 | 95 | 3-10 | |||
| Cabbage | 40 | 60-85 | 95 | 5-10 | |||
| Carrot | 40 | 65-85 | 95 | 6 | |||
| Cauliflower | 40 | 65-85 | 95 | 4-10 | |||
| Celery | 40 | 60-70 | 95 | 10 | |||
| Chinese cabbage | 40 | 60-85 | 95 | 4-10 | |||
| Collards | 40 | 60-85 | 95 | 5-10 | |||
| Corn | 50 | 65-95 | 105 | 4-10 | |||
| Cucumber | 60 | 65-95 | 105 | 5-7 | |||
| Eggplant | 60 | 75-85 | 95 | 10-15 | |||
| Endive/Escarole | 35 | 60-75 | 85 | 10-14 | |||
| Garlic | 35 | 65-85 | 95 | 7-14 | |||
| Kale | 40 | 60-85 | 95 | 5-7 | |||
| Kohlrabi | 40 | 60-95 | 105 | 5-10 | |||
| Leeks | 35 | 65-85 | 95 | 8-16 | |||
| Lettuce | 35 | 60-75 | 85 | 2-10 | |||
| Muskmelon | 60 | 75-95 | 105 | 4-10 | |||
| Mustard | 35 | 60-75 | 85 | 4-6 | |||
| Okra | 60 | 85-95 | 105 | 7-12 | |||
| Onion | 35 | 65-85 | 95 | 4-12 | |||
| Parsley | 40 | 65-85 | 95 | 5-6 weeks | |||
| Parsnip | 35 | 65-75 | 85 | 5-28 | |||
| Pea | 40 | 65-75 | 85 | 5-7 | |||
| Pepper | 60 | 65-75 | 95 | 7-10 | |||
| Pumpkin | 60 | 85-95 | 105 | 4-10 | |||
| Radicchio | 35 | 60-75 | 85 | 5-7 | |||
| Radish | 40 | 65-85 | 95 | 4-10 | |||
| Spinach | 35 | 65-75 | 75 | 6-14 | |||
| Squash | 60 | 85-95 | 105 | 7-10 | |||
| Swiss chard | 40 | 65-85 | 95 | 7 | |||
| Tomato | 50 | 65-85 | 95 | 5-7 | |||
| Turnip | 40 | 60-95 | 105 | 3-10 | |||
| Watermelon | 60 | 70-95 | 105 | 4-10 |
Our dilemma of germination temperatures of tomato or lettuce seeds is answered, as well as for many other vegetable gemination temperatures.
Video – Vegetable Soil Temperatures
Share with Family and Friends
Featured Authors
Visit a Botanical Garden For Unique Experiences.
Comments
Logging in to comment gives you more features, but it is not required.
Subscribe
0 Comments
Oldest
More on Gardening Calendar
What to Look for and Do at a Country Fair
Explore agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, crafts, entertainment, local cuisine, and more at a country fair. Experience community spirit and tradition!
How to Prune Blueberries
Learn how to successfully plant and prune blueberry bushes for a productive crop with this easy to follow guide. Discover the importance of highly acidic and well-drained soil and how to get your blueberries to thrive with winter pruning.
Rhodora
Rhodora is a small northern shrub has stunning blooms that appear before or alongside the leaves. Read on how to care and prune.
Cactus Propagation: How To Propagate Cactus Plants
The propagation method of cactus you choose depends on the type of cactus you are dealing with.
Borage Self Seeds and Attracts Pollinators
Discover the joy of growing borage in your garden. This herb attracts bumblebees, butterflies, hover flies, beetles, and moths. Self-seeding and easy to care for!
Slender Blazing Star
Slender Blazing Star is best to plant with slow-growing perennials or as a border plant. Discover more about this non-competitive plant.
Care For The Salvia Plant: Flower, Medicinal and Culinary
Salvia is a blooming, decorative garden plant with nectar-rich blooms that attract a variety bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Summer Blooming Flower Ideas For Your Garden
Add a touch of summer garden bliss to your home with these stunning blooms: Asiatic Lilies, Oriental Lilies & Gloriosa Lily. Plant bulbs during spring to ensure bright & fragrant flowers from early- midsummer that come in a range of colours & heights. Plant & enjoy the beauty!
Tomato Cotyledons and Pruning Roses
Tomato cotyledons are waving at me and are all reaching for the light. I leave them on their heated mat until they are ready to pot up.
Discover the White Turtlehead
Discover White Turtlehead, a beautiful & perennially blooming wetland plant. Attractive to hummingbirds & bees, it's used in shade, rain, wildflower, & native plant gardens. Perfect for cutting & its leaves are deer-resistant. Medicinal properties & uses by Native Americans, too!
How To Grow And Care For Calibrachoa – Million Bells
The calibrachoa Million Bells form excellent colorful ornaments for gardens, wonderful bedding plants and gorgeous hanging baskets.
Improve Your Garden Soil This Spring
Improve garden soil with the the right nutrients, it’s vital if you want to grow anything from flowers to vegetables in your garden.