Zone 5a, here is the upcoming weather. This is my first year so I am not sure I am understanding when to direct sow things like lettuce, Kale, radish, broccoli, peas, beets, carrots, etc. I think most people in my area already have, but can they withstand the overnight temps?
by LittleOatmealGarden
11 Comments
All of those, with the possible exception of peas depending on type, will be fine. Most actually prefer a little cooler weather.
Peas, kale, spinach, cabbage. Brassicas like colder weather. Check your seed packs. Anything that says, “X weeks before last frost” is good to go. Keep in mind, you may plant some and it’ll take extra weeks to sprout because the soil is cold.
I’m in 4b and have already started lol
Experimenting with mulch and mini poly tunnels this year, so far so good. Even the cucumbers have survived. Might lose it all but it’s fun all the same
I would go for it!
Go to almanac.com and you can download a planting calendar for your zip code!
I’m in zone 6a and I direct sowed peas, carrots, some lettuce last week.
can mulch beds to provide a little insulation from night temps.
air temps and soil temps do tend to be different. raised beds vs ground/on the ground. also makes a bit of difference.
lots of things like cool/colder temps. carrots. leafy greens etc. things like leeks or brassicas will do fine in cooler temps.
and things like carrots have a long germination period anyway. so…with it being halfway in april. it’s gonna be 2 weeks just for the typical germ window. so it’s early may before they’re even sprouting.
Nights were still in the thirties when I sowed my peas a few weeks ago. They have sprouted just fine, but the largest plant is one from a pea that happened to overwinter in place and sprouted when it felt like it.
I’ve also had spinach growing in those temps from where it went to seed a couple of years ago.
Now that winters are becoming milder and drier where I am I have really got to start planting a lot more in early fall and just seeing what happens.
I’m in zone 3a. I’d be sowing everything by now if these were my day/night temps.
Your soil temperature is a better way to gauge what can safely be direct seeded now. Get a $10 pH-Temp-Moisture reader. It makes a difference to your success.
Imo these are totally fine growing temps (they won’t take off but they also won’t die) but it’s hard to germinate seeds at 60 degrees if they are a warm season plant
Yeah, you’re fine. I’m zone 5b and just sowed some seeds. Keep in mind that it’s the soil temp, not the air temp, that will get seeds to germinate. Once they are sprouting and you are worried about a late frost, you can put a frost blanket or shade cloth over them. Mulching with straw also helps insulate the soil.