Advertisement

Seed Germination – Easy Tricks for More Success

| Plant, Video

Starting seeds indoors is a fun activity that helps you make the most of a short gardening season, but some seeds are harder to germinate than others. In this video, I share tips and tricks for seed germination success.

 

 

Outdoors, Mother Nature does a great job of breaking through the seed coat of tough seeds. Indoors, we can help that process along a few different ways. 

The Warm Soak

To soften their hard outer layer, some seeds benefit from a soak in warm water before planting. Simply place the seeds in a cup of warm (but not boiling) water and set them aside for 24 hours before planting as usual. 

Okra, peas, beans and nasturtiums are just a few examples of seeds that are suited to the warm soak method. 

 

Soaking seeds

Seeds that have a hard outer layer benefit from being soaked in warm water to soften up their seed coat prior to planting.

 

Scarification

Scarification is the processing of breaking through extremely hard seed coats by scarring or scratching the seed surface. This allows air and water to permeate the seed so germination can begin. Only a little bit of the seed coat needs to be removed to be effective.

Take a seed and rub it on sandpaper just until you see the color change. Alternatively, you can use a file. 

 

Seed scarification

Scarification allows air and water to permeate the seed so germination can begin.

 

Some seeds, like beans, have a white dot where the shoot will emerge from. To avoid damaging the eye of the seed, scratch the opposite side.

 

Handful of bean seeds

For some seeds like beans, avoid damaging the eye of the seed by scratching the opposite side.

 

Stratification

Stratification simulates nature’s ebbs and flows of winter and early spring, as many perennial seeds and tree seeds require that temperature variability to cue them to sprout. 

Place seeds in a plastic bag with a moist (but not wet) soil mix and leave the bag in the refrigerator for about 10 to 12 weeks. When you bring the bag out of the cold, the seeds will think it’s springtime and begin to sprout.

 

Example of seed stratification

Stratification mimics nature’s temperature fluctuations from winter to spring.

 

What’s your favorite method to get seeds to germinate? Let us know in the comments below.

 

Links & Resources

Some product links in this guide are affiliate links. See full disclosure below.

Episode 37: Starting Seeds Indoors: The Non-Negotiables for Success, Pt. 1

Episode 38: How to Start Seeds Indoors: The Non-Negotiables for Success, Pt. 2

Episode 39: How to Start Seeds Indoors: Digging Deeper, Pt. 3

Episode 125: Saving Seeds: The Basics, the Benefits and Beyond

joegardener blog: The Best Soil Temperature for Seed Germination

joegardener Online Gardening Academy™: Three popular courses on gardening fundamentals; managing pests, diseases & weeds; and seed starting!

joegardener Online Gardening Academy Master Seed Starting: Everything you need to know to start your own plants from seed — indoors and out. 

joegardenerTV YouTube

joegardener Newsletter

joegardener Facebook

joegardener Facebook Group

joegardener Instagram

joegardener Pinterest

joegardener Twitter

Growing a Greener World® 

GGWTV YouTube

Corona® Tools – Video sponsor and Brand Partner of joegardener.com

*Disclosure: Some product links in this guide are affiliate links, which means we would get a commission if you purchase. However, none of the prices of these resources have been increased to compensate us. None of the items included in this list have any bearing on any compensation being an influencing factor on their inclusion here. The selection of all items featured in this post and podcast were based solely on merit and in no way influenced by any affiliate or financial incentive, or contractual relationship. At the time of this writing, Joe Lamp’l has professional relationships with the following companies who may have products included in this post and podcast: Rain Bird, Corona Tools, Milorganite, Soil3, Exmark, and Wild Alaskan Seafood Box. These companies are either Brand Partners of joegardener.com and/or advertise on our website. However, we receive no additional compensation from the sales or promotion of their product through this guide. The inclusion of any products mentioned within this post is entirely independent and exclusive of any relationship.

About Joe Lamp'l

Joe Lamp’l is the creator and “joe” behind joe gardener®. His lifetime passion and devotion to all things horticulture has led him to a long-time career as one of the country’s most recognized and trusted personalities in organic gardening and sustainability. That is most evident in his role as host and creator of Emmy Award-winning Growing a Greener World®, a national green-living lifestyle series on PBS currently broadcasting in its tenth season. When he’s not working in his large, raised bed vegetable garden, he’s likely planting or digging something up, or spending time with his family on their organic farm just north of Atlanta, GA.

• Leave a Comment •

Get my (FREE!) eBook
5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever:
Why What You Do Now Matters Most!

By joining my list, you’ll also get weekly access to my gardening resource guides, eBooks, and more!

•Are you a joe gardener?•

Use the hashtag #iamajoegardener to let us know!