2 inches of snow measured the morning of March 24th
March 14th it began, a heavy wet snow bringing vital moisture to our dry soil. The storm started a period of cloudy, snowy, and rainy weather. In fact, it lasted until March 27th giving us 13 full days of moist topsoil.
That is not common for us. Our days are usually bright and sunny, our nights cold and dry. If we get a bit of clouds and moisture, it usually returns to bright, sunny, and desiccating weather within a couple of days. It dries out the top layer of soil and any seeds that were trying to germinate therein. The lack of naturally suitable conditions for seed germination is one of the reasons gardeners fail in this growing region.
Gifts of Regular Moisture
Every once in a while nature does provide suitable conditions – like now. The glorious moisture we have received so far has been heavy enough to keep a blanket of snow over our soil and seeds. As one blanket of snow melted and disappeared, another came just in time to lay down another protective layer. As this storm system gets the final moisture squeezed out of it, I am hoping it will provide just enough to feed the roots of the germinating seeds.
But that can be a false hope. This moment when the germinating seed is so delicate, it cannot suffer from lack of moisture. So get out and water your planted seed beds ever so delicately so as not to disturb the first delicate fibers of root growth. A watering wand with a mist selection is most appropriate so you surely will not damage the newborn plants.
Number of Moist Days Needed For Seed Germination
Moisture and warmth are most important for successful seed germination. It is a wonder how much onboard instrumentation a seed has. It is constantly measuring temperature and moisture. When conditions are within their intelligently designed parameters, they initiate a kind of unfolding and growth that appears unfathomable from a tiny, lifeless-looking speck.
Each seed has an optimum temperature for germination. The number of days until germination published on seed packets will tell you what to expect when conditions are optimum. The colder the soil, the less effective the germination rate, and typically the soil must at least be above the minimum germination temperature for any germination to occur.
Days Until Germination
When you buy seed you’ll notice on the package a DAYS TO EMERGE or SPROUTS IN range of days. The seed and soil must remain moist during this period as well as for a couple of weeks afterwards to let the roots get down below that top layer of soil which is so prone to drying out.
Here are some examples:
SEED
DAYS TO EMERGE/SPROUTS IN
Beet
Carrot
Parsely
Spinach
6-12 days
10-25 days
14-28 days
5-10 days
Even though we have had 13-days of wetness, Beet and Spinach are the only seeds we should expect to sprout, as long as the soil temperature met minimums. Before the snowstorms, I measured the soil temperature at 50°F. Today, 13-days later, after all of that snow melted in, the soil temperature at 10 am was 37°F. Beet needs a minimum of 40°F while Spinach only requires 35°F. You can see only spinach from our list above will be emerging…and yes, it is!
If you had seeds in the ground before this storm, half of your watering job is already done for you. I appreciate that help from nature. But for the next number of sunny days until we get help again from the sky, we need to keep our seeded soil moist (not soggy).
Plan To Water Everyday
The dryness here is surprising. The precipitation rate is equal to the evaporation rate. A cloudy day with rain often does not deliver any water to the soil. You can find the top layer of soil bone dry minutes after the storm passes. Plan to water everyday until your new seedlings are a week or two old. If you find your soil wet already, then you can skip that day and give thanks for your saved labor.
Once your seedlings have established themselves with roots reaching down to the layer of soil that does not so easily dry out, you can water less often. Keep up the manual watering until the weather is warm enough to activate your irrigation system.
Why disconnect your hose?
While temperatures outside are still dropping below freezing, it is important to disconnect your hose from the spigot on the side of your house, so the spigot can properly drain. The concern is with the spigot, not the hose. The valve handle on the outdoor spigot opens a valve inside your home where the temperature in theory never goes below freezing. You don’t want water freezing in your pipes. When water freezes, it expands, bursting even metal pipe.
Beware of Quick-Disconnects
You might think it clever to attach a Quick Disconnect to your spigot, so you can take the advice of gardeners and always disconnect your hose after watering. But you’d be missing the point. The point is to drain the spigot. The quick disconnects that I have used are actually valves as well, closed when disconnected, open when connected. If attached to your spigot, they will prevent it from draining.
When Sunshine Returns
While sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy, it also makes me water, ever so delicately right now using mist or fine spray.
The forecast shows more moisture coming in 3 days. Then perhaps, if it’s enough to keep the soil moist, I can take a break from watering.
May your germination go well whenever you decide to sow seed.