Image: AI-Generated; Prompt/edited: Tom Myrick; -Growing-Degree Days-
Understanding growing-degree days (GDD) empowers you to create an optimal environment for your vegetable garden.
Growing-Degree Days (GDD) play a crucial role in plant development. Essentially, GDD measures the daily accumulation of temperature. It allows us to predict plant growth, maturation, and pest activity.
The concept revolves around the difference between average daily and base temperatures. In most cases, this base temperature is set at 50°F. GDD helps us understand the thermal environment that plants experience during their growth cycle.
Different plants have specific temperature requirements for growth. GDD helps you track the accumulated warmth over time, directly impacting plant development. When planting seeds in spring, soil temperature matters more than air temperature. Seeds need moisture and warmth to germinate, and soil temperature determines germination success and timing.
Between critical high and low temperatures lies an ideal range for maximum growth. Understanding GDD helps you make smarter planting decisions. Each vegetable has its own temperature preferences:
Wheat is quite tolerant. It develops above freezing, thrives in the mid-80s, and doesn’t shut down until it exceeds 100°F.
Potatoes prefer temperatures near 60°F and won’t grow well if they get too warm (low 70s).
Armed with your newfound knowledge of Growing-Degree Days (GDD), you’re ready to confidently cultivate your vegetable garden! Remember, understanding GDD allows you to fine-tune your planting decisions and create an environment where your plants thrive. Happy gardening!
Writer/Digital creator: Tom Myrick
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