Soil temperature for planting vegetables (with chart)

Need to understand the required soil temperature for planting vegetables in your garden? Here’s some info, plus a chart, to get you started.

Soil temperature for planting vegetables

Vegetable seeds require a number of different conditions to germinate and sprout successfully. The most critical aspects tend to be the presence of moisture and a soil temperature that’s within a defined range.

Most vegetable seeds germinate well at soil temperatures between 60°F (16°C) and 75°F (24°C). That said, some veggies like to sprout at cooler soil temperatures and some won’t sprout unless the soil is downright warm. You will need a soil thermometer to measure the approximate temperature at planting depth

Vegetable seeds sprout most quickly at their optimal germination temperature. They each usually have a comfortable optimum range for germination.

Cool-season crops (like peas, lettuce, and carrots) need to be planted early in the spring so they have enough time to grow before the weather gets hot in the summer. Warm-season crops (like tomatoes, corn, and pumpkins) run the risk of seed rot if planted too early in cold, damp soil.

Chart: Soil temperatures for planting popular vegetables

Table 1.0: Optimal soil temperature range for seed germination of popular garden vegetables in °F (US customary units)

Vegetable seed	Low end of optimum soil temperature range (°F)	High end of optimum soil temperature range (°F)
Pea	40	75
Lettuce	40	80
Spinach	45	75
Carrot	45	85
Cauliflower	45	85
Radish	45	90
Cabbage	45	95
Beet	50	85
Chard	50	85
Onion	50	95
Bean	60	85
Tomato	60	85
Corn	60	95
Cucumber	60	95
Pepper	65	95
Pumpkin	70	90
Squash	70	95
Melon	70	95

Reference: Knott’s Handbook for Vegetable Growers (Sixth Edition)

Chart: Soil temperatures in Celcius for planting popular vegetables

Table 2.0: Optimal soil temperature range for seed germination of popular garden vegetables in °C (metric units)

Vegetable seed	Low end of optimum soil temperature range (°C)	High end of optimum soil temperature range (°C)
Pea	4	24
Lettuce	4	27
Spinach	7	24
Carrot	7	29
Cauliflower	7	29
Radish	7	32
Cabbage	7	35
Beet	10	29
Chard	10	29
Onion	10	35
Bean	16	29
Tomato	16	29
Corn	16	35
Cucumber	16	35
Pepper	18	35
Pumpkin	21	32
Squash	21	35
Melon	21	35

Full charts are available in the gardening data section on the page, Vegetable seed germination charts.