Canned Veggies And Their Ideal Planting Times
Some vegetables can be grown all year long. By planning well, you may find that you have plenty of vegetables to can and enjoy.
Here is some information on planting times for the vegetables that people most often can.
1. Green Beans
Green beans require warm soil temperatures since they are frost-sensitive. You can plant your seeds outdoors anytime after the last spring frost. You can also choose to begin seeds indoors, about one month before the projected last frost. Transplant the seedlings approximately two weeks after the last frost.
Very cold soil can result in poor germination or damage green beans. Similarly, temperatures higher than 80 degrees Fahrenheit result in tough pods, due to excessive fiber tissues.
As a result, it is best to plant green beans during the springtime when temperatures range between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, for a successful production.
2. Corn
It is best to plant corn at a soil temperature of around 60 degrees Fahrenheit as it is a warm-season vegetable. It can take about sixty to one hundred days for corn to be ready for harvest, depending on the type/variety and the temperatures during the growing period.
The ideal temperature for corn growth is between 60 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. If seeds are planted in wet or cold soil they may not germinate. Consequently, it is best to wait for at least two weeks after the last spring frost, before planting corn seeds.
3. Peas
Peas have a limited growing period, and it is best to plant them in early spring for their easy maturation during relatively cool weather. The months of February, March, and April are ideal for planting in most US locations. In some warmer areas, you can also grow peas as a fall crop, but they have shown a higher success rate as a spring crop.
As a general practice, you should sow seeds between four to six months prior to the last frost of spring, so that the soil is cool. A soil temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 85 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for planting. Those planted at cooler temperatures will germinate more slowly.
4. Carrots
Carrots are cool-season crops and are sown in soil temperatures of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the spring season.
Seed germination usually takes place at around 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for an optimal crop to be harvested in the summer. It is also possible to grow carrots in the fall, where temperatures usually stay over 32 degrees Fahrenheit in non-freezing soil. This provides an opportunity to harvest them in the winter. This is a great option for those in the southern states where summer temperatures may be too hot.
5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are plants that grow best in warm weather. Frost can destroy tomato plants so it is important not to plant them too early. Tomatoes won’t grow well in any temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A good time to plant is when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
This temperature gives them time to mature so they can set fruit at around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check the soil temperature before planting your tomatoes, as it should ideally be about 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tomatoes are a popular vegetable used in canning of spaghetti sauce or salsa.
6. Cucumber
Cucumbers thrive in warmer weather. Planting them at the wrong time can result in a lack of growth because they do not tolerate the cold well. In most climates the ideal planting time for cucumbers is between April and June. However, in some warmer areas you may consider planting cucumbers in February or March. It is advised that cucumber crops are only planted once temperatures are likely going to stay above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, soil and air.
Once your cucumbers have grown to full size be sure to harvest them promptly. This will ensure that your plants keep producing and help to achieve an optimum crop. Hopefully you will have plenty of cucumbers to can.
Try pickling your cucumbers. Add vinegar and some seasonings to your canned jar of cucumbers. The results will have you reaching for more!
Canning is a great way to store the vegetables you grow in your garden. In order to achieve an optimal crop and have plenty of produce to can, the correct planting times must be researched and considered.
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