Home gardeners may not always consider soil temperature, but Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini emphasizes its importance. Soil temperature plays a key role in germinating many garden crops.

Peas can sprout in soil as cool as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while lettuce can germinate at 35 degrees. Warm-season crops like tomatoes and corn require at least 55 degrees, with peppers, cucumbers, and melons needing even warmer conditions.

The Kansas Mesonet provides soil temperature data, but gardeners can also measure it themselves using a soil thermometer. Domenghini recommends checking the soil at least 2.5 inches deep in the late morning and averaging readings over five days to determine the best planting time. It’s also crucial to monitor forecasts for late frosts and freezes.

Domenghini and her colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources share gardening tips in their weekly Horticulture Newsletter, helping home gardeners maintain healthy landscapes.