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Soil temperature for planting vegetables chart

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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 seedLow end of optimum soil temperature range (°F)High end of optimum soil temperature range (°F)
Pea4075
Lettuce4080
Spinach4575
Carrot4585
Cauliflower4585
Radish4590
Cabbage4595
Beet5085
Chard5085
Onion5095
Bean6085
Tomato6085
Corn6095
Cucumber6095
Pepper6595
Pumpkin7090
Squash7095
Melon7095

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 seedLow end of optimum soil temperature range (°C)High end of optimum soil temperature range (°C)
Pea424
Lettuce427
Spinach724
Carrot729
Cauliflower729
Radish732
Cabbage735
Beet1029
Chard1029
Onion1035
Bean1629
Tomato1629
Corn1635
Cucumber1635
Pepper1835
Pumpkin2132
Squash2135
Melon2135

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

Soil temperature chart for planting vegetables generated pin 55859
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Mary Jane Duford
Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford is a Master Gardener and founder of the gardening website Home for the Harvest. She has been featured by Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Mother Earth News, and the National Garden Bureau. Mary Jane lives with her family in the Okanagan Valley.