7 Tips for Successful Seed Germination for the Home Vegetable Garden
Follow these simple steps to get higher germination rates and stronger seedlings for the garden. The first step to improving germination is understanding what seeds are and how they do what they do. A seed is a completely self contained little miracle that carries inside it everything it needs to sprout and grow into a seedling. It has a food store and all the important information it needs to grow, including knowing when the conditions are right for it to sprout. Once the seed is formed, it is dormant. It's just sleeping, and breathing. Yes, it is breathing: it is taking in oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide. Seeds in this state can last a long time and still remain viable, because it takes very little energy to remain in the dormant state. To keep seeds dormant, and extend their viability, keep them in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight. 1. Be consistent for consistent results. Once a seed perceives that the conditions are right for sprouting, it will begin to transform. ...