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Horticulture and Home Pest News
Horticulture & Home Pest News is filled with articles on current horticulture, plant care, pest management, and common household pests written by Iowa State University Extension specialists in the Departments of Entomology, Horticulture and Plant Pathology.

Guide to Starting Vegetable Transplants

This article was published originally on 2/11/2005
Byline: 
by Richard Jauron, Department of Horticulture

Vegetable Germination
Temperature ( F)		 Number of Days
to Germination		 Day Growing
Temperature ( F)		 Sowing to Planting
Time (Weeks)
Broccoli 70-80 5-6 60-65 5-7
Brussels Sprouts 70-80 5-6 60-65 5-7
Cabbage 70-80 5-6 60-65 5-7
Cauliflower 70-80 5-6 60-65 5-7
Collards 70-80 5-6 60-65 5-7
Cucumber* 75-90 3-5 75-85 3-4
Eggplant 75-85 6-8 70-80 6-8
Kale 70-80 5-6 60-65 5-7
Lettuce 75 3-4 55-60 5-7
Muskmelon* 75-90 3-5 75-85 3-4
Onion 75 4-6 60-70 8-10
Pepper 75-85 7-8 70-80 6-8
Okra* 75-85 6-9 70-80 6-8
Pumpkin* 75-90 3-5 75-85 3-4
Squash* 75-90 3-5 75-85 3-4
Tomatillo 75-85 6-8 70-80 6-8
Tomato 75-85 5-7 70-80 5-7
Watermelon* 75-90 3-5 75-85 3-4

Notes

Germination Temperature - Seed germination occurs over a wide range of soil temperatures. For example, onion seeds germinate at temperatures of 35 to 95 F. However, optimum germination occurs at 75 F.

Days to Germination - Number of days for seeds to germinate when provided optimum temperature and moisture conditions.

Day Growing Temperatures - Optimum daytime temperature range for the development of sturdy, healthy seedlings. Night temperature should be 5 to 10 degrees cooler.

* Vine crops (cucumber, muskmelon, pumpkin, squash, and watermelon) and okra do not transplant well. For best results, sow these vegetables directly into peat pots.



This article originally appeared in the 2/11/2005 issue.

Year of Publication: 
2005
Issue: 
IC-493(2) -- February 11, 2005
by Richard Jauron, Department of Horticulture

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