Soil temperature
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Transcript of Soil temperature
Soil TemperatureSoil Temperature
Temperature key to successful Temperature key to successful germinationgermination
Should guide vegetable planting Should guide vegetable planting scheduleschedule
Soil – not air – temperature triggers Soil – not air – temperature triggers germinationgermination
Soil temperature changes gradually, Soil temperature changes gradually, even though air temperature even though air temperature fluctuates wildlyfluctuates wildly
Dates and rates for soil warm-up vary Dates and rates for soil warm-up vary each yeareach year
Often vary within single yard or Often vary within single yard or gardengarden
Factors that affectFactors that affect
Exposure to sunlightExposure to sunlight
TextureTexture
Moisture contentMoisture content
Surface level (low-lying, flat, mounded)Surface level (low-lying, flat, mounded)
MethodMethodMetal probe thermometerMetal probe thermometer
with flat dialwith flat dial
(not oven thermometer)(not oven thermometer)
Available at garden supply, Available at garden supply,
auto supply stores auto supply stores compost thermometercompost thermometer
MethodMethod
Insert 2 inches into soil for early Insert 2 inches into soil for early season, small seeded vegetablesseason, small seeded vegetables
Greens, beets, broccoli, Brussels Greens, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, leeks & onions, peas, cauliflower, leeks & onions, peas, radishes, turnipsradishes, turnips
MethodMethod
Insert 4 inches for warm season Insert 4 inches for warm season vegetablesvegetables
Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, squash, corn, melonscucumbers, squash, corn, melons
Repeat performanceRepeat performance
Take temperature at same time each Take temperature at same time each day for several days and averageday for several days and average
Best time - mid-day – between 10 Best time - mid-day – between 10 and 11and 11
Take in several locations and averageTake in several locations and average
Strong, long-lasting cold front can Strong, long-lasting cold front can take soil temperatures down but it take soil temperatures down but it happens slowly. happens slowly.
Reaching 45 or 55 degrees usually Reaching 45 or 55 degrees usually means it’s safe to plantmeans it’s safe to plant
When to plantWhen to plant
Cool season crops - 40-45 degreesCool season crops - 40-45 degrees
Warm season crops - 50-55 degrees Warm season crops - 50-55 degrees
Must consider risk of killing frost after Must consider risk of killing frost after seeds emergeseeds emerge
Being planted too early isn’t always Being planted too early isn’t always fatal for seedsfatal for seeds
Simply sit and wait for soil to warmSimply sit and wait for soil to warm
Warm-loving crops – Warm-loving crops –
May be damaged if the temperature May be damaged if the temperature falls muchfalls much
Do NOT leave thermometer in groundDo NOT leave thermometer in ground
Clean and store indoors between Clean and store indoors between readingsreadings
http://www.greencastonline.com/SoilThttp://www.greencastonline.com/SoilTempMaps.aspxempMaps.aspx
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/seeds/http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/seeds/