![]() When to Sow: Depending on soil texture, we sow kale as early as the beginning of April though sometimes it’s early May before the soil is ready to be sown. Bear Necessities is also impressively cold-hardy, even among kales. Our Red Russian, for example, overwinters uncovered in the field when sown in September and her vigorous spring re-growth is so sweet, as soon as the snows melt. The Russian- or Siberian-style varieties are the most cold-hardy. Their highest and quickest germination is between 68 and 80 F. ![]() Germination Temperature: Kale, like other brassicas, thrive in a wide window of soil temperatures, including soils as cool as 40 F and warm as 80 F. We generally transplant them, just to save the additional weeding, but if tending transplants is at all a challenge, keep life simple and direct-sow them. Flea beetles will ravage pac choy (and anything else in the brassica family) in spring and early summer, so spread floating row cover over her to exclude those pesky insects.ĭirect Sow or Transplant: Pac choy thrives equally when direct sown or transplanted. When to Sow: Depending on soil texture, we sow pac choy as early as the beginning of April, though sometimes it’s early May before the soil is ready to be sown. Pac choy can be sown in summer, just be sure to keep it well-watered and if it can grow in the shade of say, your pole beans, she’ll bolt less quickly. Bok choi and any other ‘choi,’ including chinese cabbage, follows suit. Their highest and quickest germination is between 45 and 55 F. Germination Temperature: Pac choy, similar to arugula and other brassicas, thrive in a wide window of soil temperatures, including soils as cool as 40 F and warm as 80 F. We generally transplant them, just to save the additional weeding, but if growing glorious transplants is at all a challenge, keep life simple and direct-sow. Asian spinach, one of my favorite greens of all time, is equally cold-tolerant, surviving the winter when fall-sown, though she’s also heat-tolerant, so we enjoy her in salads and quiches as a classic spinach substitute in the heat of summer.ĭirect Sow or Transplant: Both classic and Asian spinach is equally resilient when direct sown or transplanted. Those seeds that do germinate will bolt quickly, going to seed before you’ve had much of a salad. Spinach bolts quickly with the suggestion of summer heat, so spinach sown after Memorial Day generally doesn’t germinate well. When to Sow: Depending on soil texture, we sow spinach between early April and early May, right alongside peas. Asian Spinach has similar germination preferences in the cold, though she doesn’t hesitate to leap out of the soil all season long, even in the heat of summer. We sow in September, covering her with row cover for the winter and harvest her sweet, tender greens in fall, warm winter Spinach seed will not germinate in soils above 85 F. Germination Temperature: Spinach is also exceptionally tolerant of cool soils, germinating in soils as low as 35 F, though they germinate best between 45 and 65 F. Let other people proclaim, “I’ve already planted my peas, have you?” and know that each day and each degree of soils warming will make your peas sprout all the sooner and indeed, truly thrive rather than simply survive. I’ve found that resisting that urge to sow as early as possible has resulted in higher, quicker germination rates and notably reduced weeding. ![]() Yes, you can technically sow some seeds insanely early ie, they’ll survive cold, wet soils better than most. Keep in mind, as you sow seeds directly in the soil, that weed seeds are germinating at that precise moment as well. Each crop, like each of us, has its own unique and sometimes specific preferences. At 75 F, your peas will have the highest germination rate and are often racing skyward in 4 or 5 days. In 40 F soils, your peas may take 2 to 3 weeks to germinate. Their optimal temperature to germinate fastest is 75 F. Peas, for example, will germinate in soils as low as 40 F, though they germinate best between 50 and 75 F. If your ball breaks apart into a thousand crumbles, all systems go!Īll seeds will germinate within a range of temperatures, some wider than others. If your ball sticks together, your soil is not yet ready to be worked. From the bottom of your hole, lift a small handful of soil and make a ball, dropping it to the ground from waist-height. How do you know if your soil is well-drained enough to till, to sow? With a shovel, dig six inches into the soil. ![]()
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