The Ungifted Gardener - Plant Data At a Glance

Decision making in the garden, as in life generally, is a judgement based on a relatively arbitrary blend of knowledge (about the things we know), information (about the things we don't know), and personal preference (about the things we hope are true, or are not true in certain cases). A this stage in my evolution I have little knowledge and lack information. This page is an attempt to address the information side of the equation. Much of the material is used elsewhere, this page brings it together with references to the primary sources.

1. Color Mulch by Plant
2. Root Depth by Plant
3. Germination by Plant

Color Mulch by Plant

Almost all research reports indicate a crop improvement using plastic mulch over bare ground. Certain colors have been shown to be beneficial for certain plants.

Notes:

Plant	Color	Increase	Notes
Tomato	Red	12%	% increase over black plastic.
Pepper	Silver	20%	% over black plastic.
Eggplant/ Aubergine	Red	12%	% over black plastic.
Cucumber	Dark Blue	30%	% over black plastic.
Cantaloupe	Dark blue or green IRT	35%	% over black plastic.
Onion	Silver, black or red	24%	% over bare earth.
Summer Squash	Dark blue	20%	% over black plastic.
Potato	Silver, black, red	24%	% over bare earth.

1. Data taken from PennState Extension Service Summary.

Root Depth by Plant

Shallow (12 - 18")	Medium (18 - 24")	Deep (24 - 36")
Arugula	Beans	Artichokes
Brocoli	Beets	Asparagus
Brassicas	Canteloupe	Okra
Celery	Carrots	Parsnips
Corn	Cucumber	Pumpkins
Garlic, Onions, Leeks, Chive	Eggplant/Aubergine	Rhubarb
Lettuce	Peas	Winter Squash
Potato	Peppers	Sweet Potato
Radish	Summer Squash/Zucchini	Tomatoes
Spinach	Turnip	Water Melon
Strawberries

Germination

Plant	Days	Min (°C/°F)	Optimum (°C/°F)	%	Notes
Asparagus		10/50	15 - 30/60 - 85
Bean		15/60	15 - 30/60 - 85
Cabbage		4.5/40	7 - 35/45 - 95
Cantaloupe		4.5/40	24 -35/75 - 95
Carrot		4.5/40	7 - 30/45 - 85
Cauliflower		4.5/40	7 - 30/45 - 85
Celery		4.5/40	16 - 21/60 - 70
Corn		10/50	15 - 35/60 - 95
Cucumber		15/60	15 - 35/60 - 95
Eggplant /Aubergine		15/60	24 - 32/75 - 90
Lettuce		2/35	4.5 - 26/40 - 80
Okra		15/60	21 -35/70 - 95
Onion		2/35	10 - 35/50 - 95
Parsley		4.5/40	10 - 30/50 - 85
Parsnip		2/35	10 - 21/50 - 70
Pea		4.5/40	4.5 - 24/40 - 75
Pepper		15/60	18 - 35/65 - 95
Pumkin		15/60	21 - 32/70 - 90
Radish		4.5/40	7 - 32/45 - 90
Spinach		2/35	7 - 24/45 - 75
Squash		15/60	21 - 35/70 - 95
Tomato		10/50	15 - 30/60 - 85
Turnip		4.5/40	15 - 40/60 - 105
Watermelon		15/60	21 - 35/70 - 95

---

Problems, comments, suggestions, corrections (including broken links) or something to add? Please take the time from a busy life to 'mail us' (at top of screen), the webmaster (below) or eagle-eyes at hillofbeans. You will have a warm inner glow for the rest of the day.