Question about seed packets and "X days"

MikeP 6/21/2011, 12:40 pm

Silly question... When a seed packet says "X days", does that note that the plant will be ready for harvest that many days after planting or after germination?

For example, we planted an early variety (54 days) of carrot on 4/10, but they didn't germinate for at least 3 weeks. If this number of days is meant to be after planting, then they should have been ready the 1st weekend of June, but they don't really look ready yet. It's actually kind of hard to tell at the moment.
If this number of days is meant to be after germination, then we're looking at next weekend or possibly the weekend after that.

Thoughts?

boffer 6/21/2011, 12:49 pm

Typically, for carrots, the days to harvest will be from when they are planted. I would guess it was cool at your house when you planted, and that is why it took so long to germinate.

The days to harvest is a big ballpark number that tries to accommodate both cool and warm climates. Add to that, carrots are notoriously slow. Doubling your number is reasonable.

But, carrots don't really mature. They can be eaten any time. You can use your finger to poke around in the MM at the top of the carrot to see how big the shoulder is. If it's too small for your liking, just cover it back up so it doesn't turn green.

Veggies respond to the weather, not the calendar. They'll be ready when they're ready! Wink

Goosegirl 6/21/2011, 8:03 pm

boffer wrote:Veggies respond to the weather, not the calendar. They'll be ready when they're ready!

Question about seed packets and "X days" 714994

Words for every gardener to live by! Question about seed packets and "X days" 656620

Miss Mousie 12/27/2011, 2:27 am

I was wondering about this as well and I found this blurb:

Days to harvest refers to when the vegetable can be harvested
with the countdown starting from either the time of planting OR the time
of sprouting. For vegetables that are typically sown as seeds (peas,
beans, carrots, lettuce etc.), the countdown begins the moment the seeds
go in the ground. Vegetables that go in the ground as 6-8 week old live
plants (tomatoes, eggplants, squashes, peppers etc.) start the
countdown from the point of transplanting.

But it makes sense that if you have a cold snap or something it will take longer. Also probably depends on when you plant them (spring or fall).

Anyone have anything to add?

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