Re: Cold-hardiness

Julianne,
 
Although spinach, peas & beets can all withstand quite cold temperatures, the seeds do need some warmth in order to germinate.  Chemical processes in the seeds just don't kick in until the soil temperature is above about 45 F ( 6 C).  And that's soil temperature, not air temperature.  If the soil is too cold, the seeds "sit" and become susceptible to rot & attack by soil pests.
 
If you do want to try to plant in cold soil, make sure you plant about twice as many seeds.  Most won't end up germinating so you have to allow for that. 
 
On the other hand, the spinach & peas can be germinated indoors and then transplanted outside as soon as true leaves develop.
 
For the beets, you'll want to direct sow.  I'd suggest covering the area you want to plant with some plastic to warm it up.  Then, after planting, cover the area with hot caps, plastic, whatever you have to keep the area warm. 
 
Arzeena
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----- Original Message -----
From: j*@planetc.com
To: v*@eskimo.com
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2000 3:10 PM
Subject: Cold-hardiness

 
 
I just wanted to ask a few questions about cold-hardiness.  (I'm Zone 6 but my sputhern-sloped wind-protected front yard is more like Zone 7.)
 
 
- Can I plant peas, spinach, and beets --- I'm talking about seeds---- right in the ground as soon as the soil can be worked, 2 months before the last average frost date?  Will they  survive below-freezing nights and come up anyway?
 
- Do I need to protect them?  Hot-caps or whatever?
 
- Are there any other veggie seeds I can do this with?
 
- Where could I see a chart or a list of cold-hardiness in common vegetable garden plants?
 
I'm itching to get started.  Itr's 70 degrees here today.  But it was 29 last night.
 
Ears perked,
 
Julianne Wiley
Upper East Tennessee
USDA Hardiness Zone 6/7 (hope springs eternal)
 
 
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