Hey everyone! I've been checking out my garden and noticed some tomato seedlings sprouting where I had planted them last year. With daytime temperatures hovering around 65-70°F and nighttime lows at 45-50°F, I'm curious if it's possible to start these plants outdoors instead of inside. I've searched online for temperature guidelines for germinating seeds like tomatoes and peppers, but most resources seem to focus on starting them indoors. I'd love to start indoors, but with a curious 18-month-old around, that's a no-go. Any recommendations on where to find information on this?
4 Answers
Johnny's Seeds has a great information library on their website too.
In California, I went by the rule that warm-season veggies can be sown outdoors when night temps consistently reach 50°F for 7-10 nights. This usually happens around April, leading to quicker sprouting and blooming by mid-May. You might get peppers by late June and enjoy them into November. If there's a cold snap in late April or May, just cover them with a blanket or sheet, and they’ll be fine. Also, cucumbers and melons prefer direct sowing and don’t do great when transplanted.
Check this out: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/soil-compost/soil-temperature-conditions-vegetable-seed-germination. It gives the optimal and minimum temperatures for germination. I usually start my squash directly in the ground. Just keep in mind that you need a long enough growing season for tomatoes and peppers to ripen. From the looks of it, if you’re seeing them sprouting outside now, you’re likely in good shape!
Perfect, thank you!
Oooo so helpful! Ty ty!
For this year it's probably a bit late, but consider 'winter sowing' in milk jugs outside next January. You won’t need heat mats or grow lights. It works well for tomatoes, although it's commonly used for cold-hardy crops like brassicas.
Thanks!