The Best Time of Day to Plant Seeds
- Considerations. Seeds need warmth to germinate--temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees--and sunlight works best. ...
- Benefits. If you plant seeds in the morning, you can give them moisture throughout their first 12 hours in the garden bed.
- Fun Fact. Seeds and plants grow in spurts at night, not during the day. ...
What is the best time of day to plant seeds?
Most gardeners plant seed or transplant seedlings to the garden whenever they get the time to and don't pay much attention to the time of day. Among those who do, heat, temperature, season, positions of the sun and moon, and other factors go into the decision on what time of day they should plant.
Why do seeds grow better in the morning?
A constant level of humidity is important to seeds; they are very sensitive to lack of water. Morning planting also will delay exposure to rodents. Seeds and plants grow in spurts at night, not during the day. Charles Darwin was the first to report this finding, over a century ago.
Should seedlings be transplanted in the morning or evening?
Should seedlings be transplanted in the early morning or late evening? Generally speaking, it is better to plant seedlings in the evening. This will give the tender plants a chance to settle in a bit before the relative harshness of daytime comes.
Should I water my seeds at night or morning?
Be sure the stems and leaves have adequate time to dry before the sun goes down, because the wet leaves and coolness of night are the perfect recipe for molds and viruses. If evening is the only time you can water your seedlings, do not use an overhead watering system; instead, water the base of the plants.
How to start seeds in a bed?
If you are starting with a bed of seeds, keep the soil evenly moist through the day. If you are starting seeds in a bed with existing crops, an overhead watering system is fine for the morning; however, in the evening, water the soil, not the leaves, of the existing plants to prevent the development of plant diseases.
What is it called when you plant seedlings outside?
Exposing your seedlings to sunny and windy conditions a little at a time before planting them in the ground is referred to as "hardening off." Placing your seedlings outside in a structure like a cold frame before transplanting them into soil allows seedlings time to develop stronger stems and roots in a semiprotected setting. Your transplants will acclimate to the garden quicker, even if planted on a sunny morning, after a hardening-off period, which should last two weeks prior to planting.
How does the time of day affect the health of a vegetable?
The health of your vegetables at harvest depends largely on the early stages of their life cycle. Beyond healthy soil, correct moisture and adequate sunlight, the time of day in which you plant your seeds and seedlings can affect if and how your vegetable plants thrive.
Why do seeds not germinate?
While you can plant seeds in morning or evening, your seeds will not germinate if the ground remains cool due to extreme nighttime lows or extended periods of cool and cloudy days.
Can you transplant seedlings from a container?
Transplanting your seedlings from container to soil on a warm, sunny day or on a windy day may cause them to go into "transplant shock.". As moisture is lost from wind and sun, the seedling's development becomes stunted, and the plant may never fully recover. It is better to plant your seedlings on a cloudy day or in the late afternoon ...
Why don't I hear about evening?
If evening is your only option, you don't hear about evening because the water stays on the foliage. The plant stays wet through the course of the night. And again, going back to some of the fungal problems. That would be something that would just, not necessarily cause it, but could encourage it.
Can you burn water soluble oils in the morning?
So just be careful with that. If it says a teaspoon or two teaspoons, whatever product you're using, especially on those water soluble ones, you can do some burning in those hotter months. And it would be something that you'd want to try to do in the early morning.
How long does it take for a plant to grow back after transplant?
Keep a close eye on them in the following days to catch any problems before they develop. When plants are transplanted growth will usually be set back by 1 - 2 weeks as the roots establish themselves after which they will quickly catch up.
Why do my potted plants go round?
If they are starting to go round and round the edge of the pot then the plant is in danger of becoming ‘pot-bound’ and needs more space. Leaves: Keep an eye on the plant and note if any leaves start to lose the normal vigorous green colour, curl or droop.
Why do you need intensive care for plants?
Intensive care is necessary to ensure that things that are usually available naturally in the garden (light, water, nutrients) are supplied in the correct quantities.
Is it a good idea to transfer plants?
Personal attention: It’s never a good idea to transfer plants when you are just about to go away for a few days. Much better is to choose a time when you will be around to keep an eye on their water levels and whether any pests start to attack them. I find it’s a good idea to raise more plants than I have room for in the garden ...
Heat
Newly planted starter plants and seedlings always experience some transplant shock. The leaves may wilt or droop for a time after planting. Hot direct sunshine can irreparably damage a freshly set seedling. It is best to choose a quiet time of day when the plant has the most time to recover before facing full sunshine.
Wind
Wind is another factor that can damage newly transplanted plants. Ordinarily, winds tend to die down late in the day and remain quiet overnight. Check the weather, though. If a storm front is coming your way, all bets are off.
Seeds
For seeds, on the other hand, warm earth and a liberal watering may be just the ticket for encouraging the newly planted seeds to swell and thrust up their new stems.
The Moon
According to "National Geographic," the ancient practice of planting by the phases of the moon has gained popularity in recent years. Many gardeners swear by the method. Even the venerable "Farmer's Almanac" still publishes a calendar for planting by the phases of the moon.
