Seeds of cole crops,
such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, will germinate satisfactorily in
cool soils (temperatures from 45 to 50 degrees). But they germinate more quickly
at higher soil temperatures. After
germination, grow plants at 70 degrees to 80 degrees for 6 to 8 weeks for best
results.
Recommended varieties
of cabbage include: Bravo, Solid Blue 870, Gourmet, Cheers, Vantage, Fortuna,
A&C #5 and Rio Verde. Best broccoli variety
for the spring is Packman. You need fast
maturing cauliflower varieties for a spring crop so try Snow King, Snow Crown,
or Majestic.
Tomato, pepper, and
eggplant seeds germinate best at soil temperatures of 65 degrees to 75 degrees. Grow transplants at 65 degrees to 75 degrees
during the day and 60 degrees to 65 degrees at night for 6 to 8 weeks this time of year.
Temperatures much lower than this will slow, and possibly stunt, peppers and
eggplants.
There are lots of
tomato varieties you can grow but be sure to include some with tomato spotted
wilt resistance (TSWV) such as Amelia, Crista, or Bella Rosa. Stilleto, Heritage, Excursion II, and Declaration
are TSWV resistant bell peppers.
.JPG) |
| Fairty Tale Eggplant |
For
eggplants try the classic Black Beauty or Ichiban. Even better, experiment with some of the new,
smaller varieties such as Ghostbuster (white), Hansel, Gretel (white), or Fairy
Tale (miniature fruit with white with violet streaks)
A common problem in
home production of transplants is not having enough light to develop a stocky transplant. To be successful you need a well-light window
on or ‘grow lights’. Provide full
sunlight all day when seedlings first appear.
If light levels are low, keep plants cooler and drier.
If you have extra seeds do not worry, put then in a sealed container in the bottom of the refrigerator or in the freezer and the will last several years. I am still planting some tomato seds I have had since 1984!
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