In the Garden with Pat Rubin

Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions.

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February 19, 2008

When will those seeds come up????

Q: Hello. I have questions regarding germination. I planted 9 different types of seed, and want to know how long each of them takes to germinate. How long does it take for carrots, onions, cucumbers, romaine lettuce, marigolds, bell peppers, snap beans and sunflowers to germinate. If you've counted, I've listed eight plants because the radishes have already sprouted.
Hailey Schelmety

A: The days to germination should be listed on each seed packet, but it also depends on whether you planted them directly in the ground or in pots. And it depends on the soil temperature. Hot weather vegetables like snap beans, sunflowers and bell peppers like the weather to be dependabl;y warm and the soil temperature to be above 50 or 55 degrees.

Of all the seeds you planted, the bean seeds are most likely not to come up at all this time of year. In fact, they'll likely rot in the ground because the soil is just toocold.

The lettuce, marigolds, onions, peas and carrots will likely come up next. The sunflowers will remain in the ground unharmed until they decide it's warm enough to germinate. I believe the bell pepper and cucumber seeds will be Ok planted now, but won't germinate until the weather is warmer.

If as the season progresses you don't see any seeds sprouting, then I'd replant and try again.

We had a sunny weekend, but it's raining and chilly again, and our soil temperatures remain below 50 degrees. You might check with your local nursery for planting times.

Good luck.

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