How to check soil temperature before planting vegetables: easy ways

The gardening season is in full swing, which means it's time to prepare the soil and plant vegetables. However, to get a good and abundant harvest, it is important not only to take proper care of the plants but also to take into account the temperature conditions.

Cold soil can delay or even stop seed germination. That's why Gazeta.ua shared tips on how to determine whether the soil has warmed up enough.

Soil temperature is important not only for many types of agricultural work, such as fertilization or solarization but also for the proper course of plant life. Heat helps plants absorb water and nutrients and stimulates their growth.

That is why before planting any crops, you need to study their characteristics and needs. Also, check the temperature of the air and the soil.

Soil thermometer

The easiest and most accurate way to determine the temperature of the ground is to use a soil thermometer. This device is fairly inexpensive and can be found in most specialty garden stores and online retailers.

Simply insert the thermometer into the soil to a depth of 5-10 cm and wait a few minutes for it to warm up. The optimum temperature for most vegetables is around 10-24°C.

Weeds

If you don't have the desire or the ability to purchase a special thermometer, there is another way to determine whether the soil has warmed up enough.

Weeds are a great indicator of soil temperature. If you see that these plants have already begun to sprout, the soil is probably warm enough to plant vegetables. However, this does not apply to cold-resistant crops, as they can be sown much earlier.

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