Discover essential insights about best practices, timing, and crop choices for sowing vegetables in the spring season. Learn what factors influence successful spring planting in horticultural settings.
At what approximate soil temperature should you generally sow spring carrots to ensure good germination and seedling establishment?
Explanation: 12°C (54°F) is ideal for carrot seed germination in spring; colder soil (5°C) delays sprouting, while higher temperatures like 25°C or 32°C can impede proper development. Choosing the right temperature helps ensure uniform stands and healthier plants.
Which vegetable commonly benefits from multiple succession sowings throughout the spring to extend harvest time?
Explanation: Radish matures rapidly, making it ideal for succession sowing in spring to yield continuous harvests. Sweet corn and winter squash require longer, warmer conditions, and onions are usually grown from sets or sown earlier for full-season growth.
Which of the following vegetables is best sown directly into spring garden soil rather than started indoors for later transplanting?
Explanation: Peas prefer direct sowing in early spring as they tolerate cool soil and dislike root disturbance. Tomato, eggplant, and pepper thrive when started indoors and transplanted after frost, as they require warmth for healthy growth.
Which of these vegetables should NOT be sown outdoors until after the danger of spring frost has passed?
Explanation: Cucumbers are frost-sensitive and require consistently warm soil. Spinach, fava beans, and turnips are hardy enough for early spring sowing and can withstand light frosts, making them suitable for earlier seeding.
Before spring sowing, why is it important to check soil moisture by forming a ball with your hand?
Explanation: This method confirms soil is friable and not saturated, reducing risk of seed rot and compaction. It does not measure pH, detect pests, or aerate soil. Proper moisture is critical for healthy seed germination and root growth.