QUESTION: Soil Temperature

FawmGurl, member

1 user recommends

Photo by  Ryan R under the Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0.

Add Comment
Print

I am always quite uncertain when I am planting certain vegetables in the spring with regard to those who are quite cold sensitive.  Is there a general rule of thumb regarding how to know when night soil temperatures have rised above a certain level in my area (Santa Rosa, CA)?  Can I just stick a turkey thermometer in it over night?  Maye check it in the middle of the night sometime?

the reason I am nervous is that I don't want new seed sprouts to die due to a cold night.  It is definitely past freezing here, and I'm not worried about delaying germination once the seeds are in the ground, rather, the reason I am nervous is that I don't want new seed sprouts to die due to a cold night of 50 or 55 degrees (for gourds or eggplant for example).

Any thoughts?

Add Comment Print

QUESTION: Least-Toxic Whitefly Solution

Back to List

QUESTION: Fishy Fertilizers - Is Mercury a Concern?

Comments (1)

wyotransplant writes: If your area has passed the "early Frost period" the 50 - 55degs will not hurt your new sprouts. If it looks like a frost is coming cover with newspaper or cloth. The ground temp should offer enough protection until the sun comes up.
Posted: 6:10 pm on May 8th

You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.