The difference between summer (tender) and winter (hardy) crops
July 21, 2022
Tender crops
Warm season crops are known as TENDER and must be sown and grown in a warm soil of 15°C+. Traditionally these plants are grown from spring to autumn in southern areas. Tender crops are temperature sensitive, where warm air temperatures are required to ensure soil reaches a minimum of 15°C for germination, with subsequent warm daily air temperatures required for growth. These crops will not survive frost or extremely cold conditions. These crops should be sown and grown during the warmest part of the year in cool climates, but many can be grown year round in tropical and sub-tropical climates.
These include:
Hardy crops
Cool season crops are known as HARDY and can be sown and grown in cool soil. These plants are generally frost-hardy and can cope with the fluctuation in temperatures that occur from autumn to spring. These are traditionally known as winter crops. They are hardy to cooler air and soil temperatures, with germination occurring in soil temperatures below 15°C. Hardy annuals are not suited to planting in warm weather as they will bolt to seed before fruit set.
These include: