Germination Time for Seeds
Seeds require water and certain temperatures to grow. Different seeds require different temperatures. Some even need a period of extreme cold (vernalisation) before they will germinate.
The time the seed takes to sprout (the germination time) varies with the season, which effects the soil temperature. In an early, warm spring, the soil will warm up faster than in a cold, late season.
It is therefore difficult to predict how long it will take for seeds to emerge. But, as a rough guide, vegetable seedlings will emerge within this number of days in the right conditions:
Aubegine 10-12
Beans (runner & french) 7-10
Beetroot 10-14
Broad beans 10-14
Broccoli 6-10
Brussels Sprouts 6-10
Cabbage 6-10
Carrots 10-21
Cauliflower 6-10
Celery 10-14
Courgette 5-8
Cucumber 7-10
Eggplant 10-12
Endive 10-14
Kale 5-10
Kohlrabi 5-10
Leeks 10-14
Lettuce 6-10
Marrow 6-10
Melon 5-10
Mustard Greens 5-10
Onions 10-14
Onions (Spring) 10-14
Parsnip 21-28
Peas 7-10
Pepper 10-14
Pumpkin 6-10
Radish 5-8
Spinach 14-21
Squash 6-10
Swedes 6-10
Sweet Corn 6-10
Swiss Chard 7-14
Tomato 10-14
Turnips 6-10
seed vegetable garden
Hi Top Veg,
Following your planting instructions I have radish, lettuce and butternut squash which has all germinated. Can you tell me how long it takes for courgette to germinate?
Thanks
Sara
Comment by Sara - April 7, 2007 4:51 pm
Hello Sara
Courgette seeds can germinate in 5 to 8 days if the conditions are right. Sow them on their sides, & keep them in a warm place until you notice a sprout. Soaking the seeds for 12 hours before planting will help things along.
Good luck and thanks for your question
TopVeg
Comment by TopVeg - April 8, 2007 4:44 pm
Hi top veg,
I am doing a Biology experiment at school and am growing marrow fat pea seeds, which i will then be watering with a pine needle solution to see if pine needles are toxic. I have found so far that the pea seeds seem to be growing better with the extract….do marrowfat pea seeds like slightly acidic conditions therefore?
thanks!
craig
Comment by craig - March 27, 2008 1:55 pm
Hi Craig
You have an interesting project - what pH is the pine extract?
optimum soil pH for peas is 6-7
peas are moderately tolerant to acidity 5.5 - 6.5
minimum pH for growth of peas is 5.5
I wonder if there is something else in the extract which is making the peas grow - like extra nitrogen?
Thanks for getting in touch & let us know how you get on.
TopVeg
Comment by TopVeg - March 27, 2008 3:00 pm