On a happier note than the impending cold temperatures, a number of the tomatoes and eggplant that were planted last Tuesday are up and growing! I’m actually pleasantly surprised that a few of the eggplant are up, because normally they take a little bit longer than tomatoes to germinate. I’m not at all surprised; however, that the peppers are being pokey. Peppers generally take a little bit longer than tomatoes, especially in a cooler environment.

My office is warm, and the lights keep the soil fairly warm (even though they are fluorescent lights, there is still some emanating warmth under the lights). I don’t think the set up is quite warm enough to encourage quick germination. Peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes all require warm soil temperatures for good seed germination. Soil temperatures should be in the 65-95 degree range for germination, and all three vegetables have an optimum germination temperature of 85 degrees.