How to Soak Seeds Before Germination: A Simple and Effective Method

One of the tricks to increasing the chances of a harvest is to germinate the seeds.

However, the germination procedure is preceded by soaking. After such treatment, you can count on friendly shoots even for seeds of capricious plants.

Anastasia Kovrizhnykh, an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", a scientist, agronomist and landscape designer, told how and why to soak seeds.

Why soak seeds

The seeds of some vegetable crops have a dense shell and contain essential oils.

As a result, the rate of their germination with normal sowing slows down.

Soaking softens the hard shell, activates germination, and at the same time protects against diseases.

What seeds to soak

First of all, gardeners soak the seeds of peppers and eggplants - they are considered the most capricious of their kind.

This method is also used when sowing zucchini and cucumbers, melons, pumpkins and other crops, including perennials.

How to soak

Solutions are prepared using water at room temperature with the addition of a variety of ingredients, ranging from aloe juice, boric acid, hydrogen peroxide to industrial preparations such as Fitosporin.

It is also important to monitor the soaking time. The duration may vary depending on the component used.

The easiest way is to soak the seeds in clean (melted) water.

For example, legumes are kept in water for 10-12 hours, and cabbage and pumpkin seeds from 12 to 15 hours.

Tomatoes and peppers from 24 to 36 hours, and beets 24 hours.

It is recommended to change the water at least once every five hours.