Starting vegetable seeds indoors will give you a head start on the growing season–extend your growing season–and make your garden more productive. Starting seeds indoors eliminates one of the biggest unpredictables of vegetable gardening–poor outdoor germination conditions. Light, temperature, water, nutrients, and spacing are planned and regulated indoors; seeds find it much easier to grow […] More
Peppers are a tender, warm-weather crop. Start peppers indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the average last frost. Plant to set young pepper plants outdoors after nighttime temperatures are expected to stay above 60°F (16°C). Start pepper seeds indoors up to 14 weeks before the last spring frost if you plan to harden off seedlings […] More
Tomatoes are a tender, warm-weather crop. Start tomatoes indoors 10 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost in spring. Set tomato seedlings into the garden after all danger of frost is past. Plant tomato seedlings in the garden 4 weeks after the last frost. The garden soil temperature for setting out transplants should be […] More
Vegetable seeds for home gardens are often sold by weight–by the ounce or by the gram or by fractions of ounces and grams. Some seed sellers sell by the piece–1 seed per penny, for example. But seeds sold in packets–especially those sold in stores–commonly list the weight, but not the number of seeds. When buying seed by weight, […] More
Snow on the ground. Heavy winter rain in the garden. The last average frost date is weeks away. No problem. You can start the spring vegetable garden indoors. If you know the average date of the last spring frost in your garden or region, you can make a schedule for starting vegetable crops indoors and […] More
Watermelons are easy to grow from seed. They simply require warm soil, a long warm growing season, plenty of space, and plenty of water. Watermelons with red flesh are most common, but there are also watermelons with white, yellow, orange, and pink flesh. Here is our guide to growing watermelons from seed. We also give […] More
Vegetable seed germination is greatly dependent upon soil temperature. Other near equal factors include seed vitality (the age of the seed), soil moisture, soil air, and soil conditions and workability. This chart shows the range of soil temperatures needed for seed germination. The chart also shows the number of days to germination at optimum temperatures. […] More
Vegetable seeds and seedlings require minimum soil temperatures to germinate and grow. Seeds and seedlings require optimal soil temperatures to thrive. Soil temperature triggers not only seed germination but is an important factor in soil chemistry. Soil chemistry includes the release (dissolution) of mineral nutrients in soil moisture. Mineral nutrients are essential for vegetable plant […] More
Different vegetables have different germination requirements. It’s important to know the germination requirements of the seeds you are planting to ensure success. Viable seeds are alive; they contain an embryo, stored food, and are surrounded by a seed coat. A seed will germinate or begin to grow when soil moisture, temperature, and oxygen, as well […] More
Winter squash are tender, warm-weather crops very similar to summer squashes. But, winter squashes—unlike summer squashes—must fully mature on the vine before harvest. Summer squashes can be picked and eaten immature; they have a succulent texture. Winter squashes are drier and more fibrous than summer squashes. Winter squashes include acorn, banana, buttercup, butternut, cushaw delicious, […] More
Rhubarb is a perennial plant grown for its leaf stalks. Rhubarb grows best in regions where the ground freezes each winter. Winter chill results in rhubarb plants with thick stems and red color. Rhubarb is not productive in areas with very hot summers. Rhubarb is commonly grown from root divisions called “crowns”, not from seed. […] More
Kohlrabi is a cool-season crop; it’s best grown in spring and fall. Sow kohlrabi in spring for an early summer harvest and use; start a second crop in mid-to-late summer for winter storage and use. Kohlrabi is not a root crop; the edible part of the plant is a swollen portion of the stem growing […] More
Stephen Albert