The veggies that we grow in the garden fit into two groups, based on their temperature preferences – cool season and warm season crops.
Most cool season crops can be planted and will germinate when soil temperatures average 45F. These include:
- Lettuce
- Radishes
- Spinach
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Peas
- Carrots
- Cabbage
- Asparagus
Most warm season crops will not germinate and should not be planted until soil temperatures are 55F- some even 60F. These veggies are:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Melons
- Sweet Potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Squash
- Eggplant
- Beans
We typically reach the 45F level about mid to late March and the 55F level about late April.
The next step is to know what the soil temperature is. K-State Mesonet Site is a great resource to find local soil temperatures. https://mesonet.k-state.edu/
By: Cassie Homan
