Spring has sprung and everyone is getting ready to start planting.
The past few weeks have no doubt brought lots of gardeners out into the sunshine. The calendar tells us we could be planting early spring crops in the garden but what does the soil thermometer tell us. If you have never thought about the use of the soil thermometer you should! Have you ever had crops that you planted in garden that just “set” there and did not take off? Perhaps you planted them in wet soils or perhaps you planted them when the soils were just too cold. 
Soil temperature plays an important role in seed germination. Adequate soil temperatures for germination range widely for different crops. For example, spinach needs a soil temperature of at least 38 degrees to germinate while lettuces, onions and peas like a 42-43-degree soil temperature. Other cool season crops like broccoli, cabbage, beets and carrots can germinate at 40 degree soil temperatures. Potatoes do best at 45 degrees, even though legend suggests St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect day for planting potatoes. And those tomatoes, cucumbers and pumpkins prefer soil temperatures in the 58-60 degree soil temperature range.
Need a soil thermometer? Stop by OSU Extension in Fairfield County and pick up a soil thermometer from Garden Tool supplier, AM Leonard Company in Piqua, Ohio. The cost of the soil thermometer is $10.00 with all proceeds benefiting the Fairfield County Master Gardener Program. Soil thermometers are great tools to keep in your garden toolbox to get your garden off to a good start each year. OSU Extension in Fairfield County is located in the Fairfield County Ag Center at 831 College Avenue, Suite D, Lancaster, Ohio .