|
| If you can't check your soil temperature, and are wondering when is a good time to plant certain vegetables, you can check the surface temperature of the lake nearest to you. My father-in-law (bless his soul) would wait until Lake Erie was 50F before planting his field corn. I try to wait until 55F before planting tomatoes and peppers. This is not a predictor of frost, but some things just won't grow until the ground is warm enough. As you can see in the link, Lake Erie is only about 40 now. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Surface temperatures
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by Slimy_Okra 2b (My Page) on Sat, Apr 26, 14 at 23:59
| I think Lake Superior is an exception; it stays under 40 degrees F until late June most years. |
|
| Lake Erie is the exception because it is so shallow. Well, Lake Superior is an exception too, because it is still 70% frozen. |
|
- Posted by terry_neoh 5b (My Page) on Sun, Apr 27, 14 at 20:15
| Just to be clear, I am referring to surface temperature. The link can be used to find any area of any Great Lake. Western OH/Eastern IN is a world center for tomato culture. Minnesota is not. |
Here is a link that might be useful: pick your lake
|
| The old way to plant tomatoes was "when the lilacs bloom". Good also if you live away from the Great Lakes. I have already planted two, and will cover with a plastic tent in case of need. The other 28 when the lilacs bloom. |
|
| Or you can just google soil temperature map and find your current local temps, The one I use in Illinois is updated daily. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Illinois state water survey - soil information
|
- Posted by Slimy_Okra 2b (My Page) on Tue, Apr 29, 14 at 21:50
| The thing about Lake Superior, though, is the immense water volume. Water is densest at 4 degrees C (39 degrees F), with the density decreasing both below and above this temperature. So as the ice-cold water warms, it sinks, bringing colder (<39 degrees) subsurface water to the surface. The entire lake has to warm up to 39 degrees before convective stability occurs and the surface can warm. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Vegetable Gardening Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here
