Keep in mind that if you are planting early or happen to have a cold snap, a chill could kill the sensitive plant. It happens in nature, and it can happen in your garden, so it is one thing to be aware of and a reason some prefer to germinate seeds indoors.
One mistake new gardeners will sometimes make is planting a seed too deep into the soil. Your seed packet may provide you with some instructions but, in general, smaller seeds should be planted closer to the surface, and larger seeds can go deeper.
Of course, planting seeds close to the surface makes them a yummy target for seed eaters, like birds, who may be passing by. A plastic covering, or even light weight bird netting, will help protect your seeds from being disturbed while they have a chance to grow. Germinating seeds outside can take longer than germinating them indoors. There are wider temperature fluctuations. It can also be harder to maintain consistent moisture in the soil.
Both of these factors can lead to slower germination. The easiest of these is the peat pellet kit. I mean, what can be easier, you add water so that the pellets expand, put the top on and set it in a sunny place to germinate. Many seeds can be germinated simply by gentling sandwiching the seeds in between two layers of wet paper towels.
The paper towel is then usually placed in a plastic sandwich bag or even an old tupperware container. The idea here is just to get the seeds to the point where they have sprouted, and then transfer them to soil for further growth. This is also a great way to check if the seeds you have are viable. By germinating in paper towel, you eliminate any concerns you might have about soil type or quality. Coffee filters make an excellent substitute, for example. While I already mentioned the peat pellet trays above because they are my favorite , there are a variety of other seed starting trays on the market that can do just as good a job.
In fact, these can be more economical than the peat pellet system. Crops that work well with pre-sprouting are cucumber, tomatoes, peas, carrots, corn, parsley, pepper, eggplant, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and beet root.
Beans can be pre-sprouted, but it is best to sow them directly as they have large cotyledons full of starch, and germinating beans are extremely susceptible to cracking.
If you are growing in a greenhouse, or a backyard vegetable patch, pre-sprouting seeds can shorten your growing window by days or even weeks. In some climates, where the growing window is short for things such as corn this can mean the difference between harvesting crops or watching them die from the first frost. Happy planting! Feel free to post pictures of your pre-sprouted seeds on our blog or our Facebook page.
Rimol Blog All Articles. Pre-Sprouting Methods The basic way to pre-sprout seeds is very simple. Moisten two-three sheets of paper towel, not dripping wet just wet. Subscribe to the Blog Get the latest news on trends, innovations and how to make your greenhouse profitable.
Some of the best plants grow from animal scat. When soaking seeds, some people choose more acidic liquids. Acidic fluids, as you would find with digestion, again aids in softening the shell. The seeds experience something similar to digestion and are encouraged to germinate and grow wonderfully. You now know why you soak seeds and which seeds are the best fit for soaking. To begin soaking your seeds, place them in a shallow bowl.
Alternatively, consider placing the seeds into a plastic baggie. Put enough water in the bag to keep the seeds moist. Once the seeds and water are in the bag, seal it.
You can also allow seeds to rest between two wet paper towels; ensure to keep them constantly moist. You can go with just water, or you can choose more acidic liquids like coffee or vinegar mixed with water.
Also, if you warm the water the seeds soak in, this can speed up the germination process. Be sure the water is lukewarm and not hot, or it will cook them. You should allow the seeds to soak in the liquid for approximately 12 hours. Before soaking your seeds be sure to check the weather.
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