How to Start Seeds Quicker

When you give seeds the right conditions, they'll come up quicker and grow into hardier plants. Follow these suggestions to get started.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Use root stimulating powder to get seeds to sprout quicker. Before putting seeds in the soil, pour the packet out into a small cup or bowl and add a pinch of root stimulating powder. This can be found at garden centers, nurseries and hardware and home improvement stores. By coating the seeds with this powder you're giving them a head start on sprouting.

2. Soak seeds in water. Some of the larger seeds, such as peas and nasturtiums, have a hard covering. These seeds will sprout much faster if they are first soaked in water or weak tea overnight before planting. It shortens the time the seeds must spend absorbing water while in the soil.

3. Scarify or gently abrade the outer covering of hard-shelled seeds. This lets water in and has the effect of encouraging seeds to sprout.

4. Stick them in the fridge. If seeds, such as some lilies, need to undergo cool temperatures before sprouting, refrigerate them before planting. Freezing is not good, but the temperature of the average refrigerator will do the trick. Most seeds that need this treatment require cool temps for three to six weeks. But they will sprout much quicker and more reliably once planted than if you skip this step.

5. Keep them moist. While seeds are waiting to sprout, they must remain moist. Don't ever let the soil become dry to the touch. Any little sprout that has begun emerging will quickly die if it becomes dried out. A good safeguard is to cover seed trays with clear plastic food wrap or purchase trays that come with clear covers. Leave trays covered until sprouts are about one inch tall.

6. Add enough light and warmth. To get sprouts to climb out of their seed shells more quickly, provide what nature provides: light and warmth. Simulate the conditions of spring as much as possible. Keeping a light source on the seeds for 10 or more hours daily will ensure swift sprouting.

Resources

• Organic Gardening

[GypsySunrise]

on 4/27/2008 I never thought of using a rooting hormone on seeds. I thought it was just for rooting cuttings. Great tip, thanks! =)