In Today’s very important episode, we will look into DIY season wise vegetable planting
calendar which works in any zone you live in, anywhere in the world. The importance
of Soil temperature for planting, how to measure soil temperature using a thermometer and also
using your smart phone and other hacks. All that’s coming up!
I have received many requests from my viewers to make an episode on season wise vegetable
seed planting – that’s the vegetable growing calendar. Well, we all know the importance
of planting right seeds in the right season for best results. Planting in the wrong season
can result in poor seed germination, stunted plant growth, diseased plants and a very bad
harvest. Some Vegetables and fruits grow only in certain
Temperatures, Humidity, and Soil PH levels, so it is critical to know which season is
compatible to grow a particular plant. But, this growing calendar or the seasons are not
constant and this varies throughout the world and varies from zone to zone. Hence, in this
episode, we will learn how to make your own vegetable planting calendar and start vegetable
planting or seed sowing based on the Soil Temperature. Do not worry, it’s not at all
complicated. But this is actually very important. You may also have some questions in mind,
like why only soil temperature and why not air temperature? We will answer everything
in this episode in an interesting Q & A Format. Please watch this episode till the end. Also
you can skip to any of the topics or chapters discussed in this episode by clicking on time
stamps given in description below. 1. What is Soil temperature?
Soil temperature is simply the measurement of the warmth in the soil. Night time and
daytime soil temperatures are both equally important. It’s measured in Degrees Fahrenheit
or Degrees Centigrade or Celsius depending on where you live.
2. What Gadgets you need to measure Soil Temperature? Obviously you need a thermometer to measure
temperature. Soil thermometers are not expensive. There are many types of soil thermometers
available. You can use any thermometer with a long probe to measure the soil temperature,
including this type of food or milk thermometer. This is really cheap and available online
– you can check a link to buy it online from description below. You can also use this
type of all in one gadget which measures PH, moisture and temperature.
3. How to Measure Soil Temperature? For seed starting, you insert the probe 1
to 2 inches deep to check the readings. Whereas for transplants or for other plants, You need
to insert the probe 2 to 4 inches deep or even more and then keep it in soil for about
2-3 minutes to get the right reading. You can also repeat multiple times and take average
of all readings. One simple tip here: Do not press your thermometer harder to make it into
the soil, especially if soil is harder. You can use a screw driver to make a hole into
the soil and then insert the thermometer. 4. What time of the Day should I measure?
Soil temperature is best taken in the early morning when the soil is coolest and not yet
warmed under the day’s sun. 5. Why Not Air Temperature?
This is because, the relationship between soil temperature and air temperature is not
fixed and varies in different seasons. Like in early spring, the soil temperature is lower
than the air temperature and then in summer, its higher than the air temperature. If you
know this concept, then you can use your zone air temperature and roughly use the weather
readings from your smart phone and use it as a baseline for planting your crops.
6. What Factors affect soil temperature? The moisture content in the soil is the most
important factor that affects soil temperature. Moist soils heat up slowly. Hence when you
measure soil temperature, its better to insert the thermometer at least after 12 hours of
watering the soil. Another factor which is actually used in many zones with unfavourable
temperatures is the use of Green houses or poly houses to maintain temperatures ideal
for seed germination and plant growth. 7. What is Workable Soil test?
Before soil thermometers were used in farming, the common method of determining when to plant
was soil workability. This is the in fact an old fashioned method to roughly know when
to plant. The soil is workable and ready for seed sowing
or planting if it passes the Workable Soil Test. Here’s the test: squeeze a handful
of soil in the palm of your hand; when you open your hand if the soil remains a wet or
very moist clump, it is not workable. Let the soil dry. If the soil crumbles from your
hand with a touch, it is workable. 8. What is the ideal soil Temperature for
most plants? Each vegetable has a specific ideal temperature
that’s favourable for seed germination and best results. Ideal soil temperature for planting
should be 10 degree above the ideal minimum and 10 degree below maximum for that vegetable.
We will show you the temperature chart for various vegetables at the end of this episode.
9. Why Soil Temperature is important? The right Soil temperature triggers not only
seed germination but is an important factor in soil chemistry as well. Soil chemistry
includes the release and absorption of mineral and nutrients in soil by the roots and this
is so vital for plant resistance against pests and proper plant growth and maturation till
the harvest. Now! 10. Let’s build our own Seed sowing or Vegetable
Planting Calendar depending on the temperatures. You can classify this calendar in two ways:
A much broader way is to put them into two categories – like WARM CROPS or COOL CROPS
or COLD CROPS. One more method is to divide into seasons
or even months from Jan to December, or like: a) Spring Vegetable planting
b) Summer Vegetables c) Rainy season vegetables
d) Winter season vegetables If you want your very own perfect calendar
for all these seasons, you might have to measure the soil temperatures at your local zone,
yourself and then prepare this chart. This hard work is perhaps very important and saves
your time and might yield best results in future.
So based on the Soil temperature charts for different vegetables, My season-wise or month
wise planting calendar is like this: I will show you how to use the temperature chart
for different vegetables to build this calendar in a short while from now.
Spring Season Vegetables: Summer Season Vegetables:
Rainy Season Vegetables: Winter season crops:
You can download this pdf temperature chart for various vegetables from a link in description
below and build your own Zonal Garden Calendar for perfect Vegetable gardening.
Please Like, Share and Comment below with your feedback and queries. Happy Gardening!