Frequently Asked Questions

GDD is a measure used in agriculture and horticulture to estimate the growth and development of plants and insects during the growing season.

How it Works:

• Base Temperature: Each plant or insect has a base temperature below which growth does not occur. This is usually 50°F (10°C) for many crops.
• Daily Temperature: Each day, you record the maximum and minimum temperatures.
• Calculation: The average daily temperature is calculated, and the base temperature is subtracted from it. If the result is positive, it is added to the total GDD. If it's negative, it's considered zero for that day.

Example:

• Base Temperature: 50°F
• Day 1: Max Temp: 70°F, Min Temp: 50°F
  • Average Temp: (70+50)/2 = 60°F
  • GDD for Day 1: 60 - 50 = 10
• Day 2: Max Temp: 65°F, Min Temp: 45°F
  • Average Temp: (65+45)/2 = 55°F
  • GDD for Day 2: 55 - 50 = 5

After two days, the total GDD is 10 + 5 = 15.

On the Ambient Weather Network, you can configure both a threshold temperature and an upper temperature limit for each crop.

The threshold temperature represents the minimum temperature required for the crop to grow. The upper temperature limit represents the maximum temperature at which the crop will continue to grow. If temperatures fall below the threshold or rise above the upper limit, crop growth will not occur.

For example, strawberries may require temperatures between 60°F and 75°F for optimal growth. If the temperature drops below 60°F or exceeds 75°F, the strawberries will stop growing until temperatures return to the appropriate range.