Soak or Not Soak Seeds Before Planting is the Question - (2024)

FAQs

Soak or Not Soak Seeds Before Planting is the Question -? ›

Gardening experts say it may be a matter of preference. The idea behind soaking is to speed up the germination rate. When seeds are in nature, they're designed to be tough because the elements can be rough on a small seed. Plus, seeds were designed to hold off on germination until the time is right.

As a general rule of thumb, your seeds will sprout even if you don't soak your seeds before planting, but with soaking, the germination time decreases, and the germination rate increases. Seeds that have a continual flow of moisture to uptake have much higher chances of success.

Soaking. Soaking is beneficial in two ways; it can soften a hard seed coat and also leach out any chemical inhibitors in the seed which may prevent germination. Anything from 1-3 hours in water which starts off hand hot is usually sufficient. If soaking for longer the water should be changed daily.

Seeds absorb water when soaked. This makes them soft and big. Soaked seeds germinate faster. It is also easy to cook them.

Almost all seeds can be pre-soaked, but it is large seeds, seeds with thick coats and wrinkled seeds that will benefit most. Small seeds benefit less and are difficult to handle when wet. Examples of seeds that benefit from soaking include peas, beets, cucumber, corn, squash, pumpkin and beans.

One method to check for seed viability is the water test. Take the seeds and place them in a container of water. Let the seeds sit for 15 minutes. If the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, discard, because they probably will not sprout.

You won't have to water after they are planted, preventing seed movement. Create a mini greenhouse by covering the seed tray with a plastic tray or plastic wrap. This will keep the moisture and warmth inside, and you shouldn't have to water again till after the seeds have germinated.

To speed germination, cover the pots with plastic wrap or a humidity dome that fits over the seed-starting tray. This helps keep the seeds moist before they germinate. Once seeds have germinated and you see leaves, remove the cover to allow air to circulate.

your soil actually plays a key roll in the success of. starting corms and seeds. Too wet and corms will rot. Too dry, and corms and seeds are unlikely to.

By soaking the seed, it enables the new growth from the inside to push through the hard shell and grow. The seeds that could benefit from a good soaking include: corn, pumpkin, beans, chard, beets, and peas. The seeds you shouldn't soak include: carrots, lettuce, radish, celery, turnips, and spinach.

Can I use tap water to soak seeds? ›

Many people don't think twice about using tap water when taking care of plants, but distilled water is best for your plants. Distilled water is the best water for germinating seeds, sprouting, and plants of all kinds.

Pre-germination - Submerge seeds in water for 12−24 hrs or until small shoots appear at the end of the seed. In colder weather, seeds may need to be soaked for 36−48 hrs.

However, soaking isn't a silver bullet for germination problems. Soak the wrong seeds for too long and you risk 'drowning' them, where they begin to rot and ferment before germination can start. On a more practical level, soaking adds another layer of complexity to the whole plant-growing process.

While newly planted seeds can survive for one day without water, it's best to maintain a regular watering schedule to ensure optimal germination and growth.

Some seeds take a long time to germinate, and seed soaking can help to speed up the process. By soaking seeds in lukewarm water for 8-12 hours (some can go up to 24 hours, but never more than that), you help the seed to break dormancy and germinate faster. Place the seeds in a shallow bowl near a window.

With too little water, seedlings can quickly dry out, leading to poor germination. If you overwater, your seedlings become prone to damping off, and other issues. Optimal soil moisture will help plants build strong roots and better germination.

While newly planted seeds can survive for one day without water, it's best to maintain a regular watering schedule to ensure optimal germination and growth.

For some seeds, you may have to leave them out to dry for up to a month. Left-over moisture on the seeds is sure to lead to mold growth and rot, making them unviable. If you had rain before harvesting the seeds, rather wait a few days for the seeds to dry on the plant.