Try this germination test at home to see if they’re worth planting, or if you should be buying new seeds this year.
- Use a double thick paper towel. Moisten with water and fold in half.
- Open paper towel and place a minimum of 10 seeds on one side of towel.
- Fold paper towel over covering seeds completely.
- Place paper towel in plastic bag, or on plate covered with plastic. It is ok to roll or fold paper towel to fit if necessary. Do not air seal bag shut as you need some air for healthy germination.
- Put bag in a warm spot (for example, on top of your fridge).
- Check daily to make sure towel does not dry out.
- Most seeds will germinate within 3-10 days. Some flowers and herbs may take longer and have special germination requirements. There is a great deal of specific germination info listed online - do a simple Google search for “germination requirements for ___”
- Check seeds every few days, and monitor seed quality and germination rate. Healthy seeds have uniform germination and will not have any fungal or bacterial growth on outside of seed coat.
- If your germination rate is less than 60%, consider buying new seeds or sowing your seeds extra thickly to compensate for the low germination rate.
