Hi all,
So I am impatient – no question about it. I hate waiting to determine if seeds are actually viable by seeing them come up in the soil. I test germination in a few simple steps and the ones that do germinate are already to be transplanted into pots.
These are the steps and I’ll post and update to show how they did, but this year I have done it successfully with cucumbers, butternut squash, delicata squash, zucchini, straight neck yellow squash, honeydew melons (or cantaloupes – I can’t be sure of which since it was in a family mix) and jungle peanuts. They all sprouted ever so nicely and then I transplanted into pots until I was ready to set them in the garden or containers.
Simple Steps
- Gather your materials: plastic zipper bag, paper towel, water, seeds, and a permanent marker.
- Wash your hands and surface.
- Moisten the paper towel with water. I usually drench it and then squeeze the water out.
- Place the paper towel on the surface and spread out seeds. I don’t do more than 4 or 6 at a time. My tip is to just do what you would want to plant.
- Then fold the paper towel over the seeds. As you fold, press down the moist paper towel around the seeds to push out excess air. You want to convince the seed it is in a dark damp environment – AKA soil.
- Place the paper towel with seeds into the plastic zipper bag.
- Push out the remaining air in the bag, so that as much air as possible is out.
- Label the bag, include the type of seed and the date. It will make life easier as you track how long it takes in your home.
- Place the bag in a warm, dark place in your home.
- Check it in a few days. It typically takes about a week in my house, but we are typically a colder place.
- If you see roots, then anytime after you can take them out and place into soil.
