Vegetable Seed Germination Temperatures

Optimal conditions are 85°F day, 70°F night with diffuse light and high moisture.

What temperature do vegetable seeds need to germinate?
How cold is too cold for germinating seeds?
How cold is too cold for vegetable seedlings?
Will seeds germinate at 60 degrees?
Do seeds need air to germinate?
Do seeds need to be warm to germinate?
What temperature will kill seedlings?
Will seeds germinate at 50 degrees?
Do seeds die if they freeze?
How warm should seedlings be kept?
Can seedlings survive 40 degree weather?
Is it too cold to leave seedlings outside?

What temperature do vegetable seeds need to germinate?

The closer the temperature is to optimum the quicker germination will occur. Most seeds germinate when the soil temperature is between 68(and 86(F. Once germination occurs, the optimum growing temperature for theseedling is about 10(F cooler than the optimum germination temperature.

How cold is too cold for germinating seeds?

For each type of seed — beans, carrots, lettuce — there is a range of temperatures at which that particular type of seed will germinate (see the chart at right). Beans, for example, will only germinate if the soil temperature is above 60 degrees F and no warmer than 95 degrees F.

How cold is too cold for vegetable seedlings?

According to the University of California Cooperative Extension - Sacramento County, the minimum soil temperature for tomato seeds to germinate is 50 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, 46 degrees might indeed be too cold for the plants.

Will seeds germinate at 60 degrees?

In most cases an interior temperature of 60-70 degrees is not warm enough for quick germination, but seeds usually will germinate eventually (lack of supplemental heat is especially detrimental to peppers and eggplants, both of which are REALLY SLOW to germinate when left at room temperature).

Do seeds need air to germinate?

All seeds need water, oxygen and the right temperature to germinate. Dormancy is a state of suspended animation in which seeds delay germination until conditions are right for survival and growth. Some Australian plants need fire or smoke to germinate, while others rely on insects and animals.

Do seeds need to be warm to germinate?

Seeds need both moisture and warmth to germinate. Warm up the soil before sowing your seeds. And warmth from below the seed tray is best, without allowing the potting mix to dry out. ... Keep in mind that high temperatures will kill seeds or dry out seedlings, so stay in the desired temperature range.

What temperature will kill seedlings?

The general rule of thumb is that most plants freeze when temperatures remain at 28°F for five hours. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Seedlings, with their tender new leaves, often give up the ghost when temperatures dip to 32-33°F.

Will seeds germinate at 50 degrees?

Tomato seeds may still germinate at 50°F, but it will take over 40 days, and there will probably be no germination if the soil temperature is 104°F.

Do seeds die if they freeze?

Freezing seeds does not harm them, and can greatly extend their lifespan if done properly. All seed banks freeze their seeds intended for long term storage! Humidity is a greater concern with freezing, as a blast of warm humid air on frozen seeds can damage them.

How warm should seedlings be kept?

For seeds to germinate, most must be kept warm: about 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A favorite place to keep seeds warm in order to germinate is on top of the refrigerator. Or, you can purchase seed-warming mats to place under the seed trays.

Can seedlings survive 40 degree weather?

Hardy vegetables tolerate cold temperatures the best—their seeds will germinate in cool soil, and seedlings can typically survive heavy frost. ... These crops grow best when the minimum daytime temperature is between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit and can be sown as early as two weeks before the average last spring frost.

Is it too cold to leave seedlings outside?

In spring, most seedlings are typically planted outdoors after the last frost date. However, cold-hardy plants can be planted outdoors two to four weeks before the last frost date. ... Don't put tender seedlings outdoors on windy days or when temperatures are below 45° Fahrenheit.