Vegetable seed germination occurs within the considerable range between the highest and lowest temperatures of the below table, though the rapidity of germination decreases as the temperature recedes from the optimum. This explains the early spring and late fall germination when the temperature is comparatively low. If the temperature falls below the lowest required for germination, dry seeds are not injured, and even a temperature far below the freezing point of water will not affect seeds unfavorably if they are not too moist. The warmth of the soil, essential to germination cannot well be controlled by the home gardener. The above being stated, the closer the temperature is to the optimum vegetable seed germination temperature, the more likely it is that a greater percentage of seeds will germinate.

More heat is required to raise the temperature of wet soils; therefore, seeds will generally germinate more slowly in wet than in dry soils, as is illustrated in the rapid germination often observed in well-cultivated garden soils. Consequently, it is safer at a low temperature to sow in dry soils than in wet ones. Dark soils absorb heat more rapidly than lighter colored ones, and under the same conditions of temperature seed germination is therefore more likely to go on rapidly in dark colored soils. The incorporation of organic matter with the soil, which tends to darken the soil, has a slight though important bearing on germination as well as on the general fertility of the soil, and should be made an important gardening practice.

A sufficient supply of oxygen in the soil is indispensable to germination. Oxygen should be present in the soil air in approximately the proportion in which it is found in the atmosphere. Germination is hindered by a larger or smaller proportion than is found in the atmosphere. The soil must be in such a condition that the air can easily enter or leave the upper soil layer; that is, the soil must be somewhat loose. In order that the seeds may have access to the necessary oxygen, then, planting should not be done in wet or packed soils.

If the temperature is right, germination begins by absorption of water by the seed from the surrounding soil. If the soil appears to be dry, an alternate method would be to soak the seeds in water for a few hours before planting. The faster that the water absorption process begins, the sooner the seed germination process can begin. The following table shows the temperature ranges required for seed germination of various vegetable seeds:

Vegetable Seed Germination Chart

Vegetable Chart	Minimum Farenheit °	Optimum Farenheit °	Maximum Farenheit °
Asparagus	50	75	95
Beans-Bush	60	80	85
Beans-Pole	60	85	95
Beet	40	85	95
Broccoli	40	85	95
Brussel Sprouts	40	75	85
Cabbage	40	85	95
Cantaloupe	60	95	105
Carrot	40	80	95
Cauliflower	40	80	95
Celery	40	70	75
Eggplant	40	70	85
Chard-Swiss	40	85	95
Corn	50	85	105
Cucumber	60	95	105
Lettuce	32	75	75
Okra	60	95	105
Onion	32	80	95
Parsley	40	80	95
Parsnip	32	70	85
Peas	40	75	85
Pepper	60	85	95
Pumpkin	60	95	105
Radish	40	85	95
Spinach	32	70	75
Squash	60	95	105
Tomato	50	85	95
Turnip	40	85	105
Watermelon	60	95	105

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Bob Haslam