Temperature affects the productivity and growth of a plant, depending upon whether the plant is a warm or cool season crop. If temperatures are high and day length is long, cool-season crops such as spinach will bolt (flower prematurely), rather than produce the desired foliage. Temperatures that are too low for a warm season crop such as tomato will prevent fruit set. Adverse temperatures also cause stunted growth and poor quality. For example, the bitterness in lettuce and cucumber is caused by high temperatures.

Consumer Horticulture | Weather

© Erv Evans, Consumer Horticulturalist
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