Each year, gardeners grapple with the temptation to order more seeds than we truly need, and each year, most of us fail miserably. Leftover seeds are the inevitable result, and over time, it becomes difficult to remember how old they are. So, how can you determine which seeds are still viable? There’s no need to…
How To Do a Germination Test
In late winter or early spring, pick through your seeds and pull out the ones you’re uncertain of. For each seed you want to test, you’ll need:
• Zipper-seal storage bag (a sandwich or snack-sized bag is preferable)
• Sheet of paper towel
• Waterproof marker, for labeling
Moisten a sheet of paper towel so it’s damp but not dripping. Carefully count out 10 seeds onto one half of the paper towel, and then fold it over to cover the seeds. Label a small resealable storage bag with the name of your seed, then carefully slide the folded paper towel and seeds into the bag, sealing it to prevent moisture loss. Repeat the same process with your remaining seeds.
Keep the seeds in a spot with a warm, stable temperature (65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is best) for seven to 10 days, checking periodically to ensure the paper towel stays damp. If it begins to dry out, you can lightly spritz it with water using a spray bottle.
After a week or so, open the bag and unfold the paper towel. A successfully germinated seed should have a tiny, pale sprout emerging from it and a downward-reaching root. Count the number of seeds that germinated, and multiply it by 10. If six of 10 sprouted, that’s a 60% germination rate. If only three sprouted, that’s a 30% germination rate.
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A Few Things To Know About Seed Testing
What’s considered a good germination rate? Higher is always better: At 70% or above, just plant the seeds as usual. Lower percentages are a judgment call. With a germination rate of 40% to 50%, you can compensate by seeding more thickly — i.e., planting seeds closer together or in larger quantities — and still get a reasonable outcome.
• Below 40% germination, it’s hard to make a case for planting the seeds, unless they’re a rare or heirloom variety you’re trying to salvage.
• Some seeds (such as carrots) are slow to germinate and might need more than 10 days. Check the instructions on the seed packet before conducting your experiment.
• Naturally, some seeds have longer shelf lives than others. A rule of thumb is that the larger the seed, the better it will keep.
• Storage conditions matter. Cool, dark, and dry is the combination you’re looking for (a sunny windowsill, not so much). If you have space, you could even designate a mini fridge for seed storage.
