Looking for practical and inexpensive ways to germinate seeds for spring growing season? Lucky you, I can be reasonably thrifty when it comes to growing my own food and these ideas for sprouting seeds could be just what you're looking for!
5 Ways On How To Germinate Seeds Fast And Easy
Hows, Whys, When, And Where To Germinate Seeds
— This post is courtesy of homesteading.com and shared with permission —
Learn how to germinate seeds fast and easy today! With this guide, you can now start growing seeds in soil, water, and even common household items like a paper towel!
One of the basic skills any gardener should learn is how to germinate seeds. Once you get the process, you can just imagine the different salad greens, fruits, and veggies – even flowers – you can grow! That can save you a lot of money in the future. Of course, you can now feed your family with nutrient-dense, delicious, and even organic whole food. A lot of people tend to think you need to have a green thumb before you can grow seeds. Definitely, it helps, but the truth is anyone can grow food, build a garden, and sprout seeds with these fast and easy ideas.
The Difference Between Sprouting And Germinating Seeds
Before we get into the easy ideas on how to germinate seeds, let’s answer one of the common questions among gardeners: what’s the difference between sprouting and germinating? The answer is none! Yup, technically, they mean the same thing. Recently, however, some refer to microgreens as sprouts.
What You Need to Germinate Seeds Fast
Learning how to germinate seeds fast involves knowing the factors that affect its growth. These include water, a light source (sprouts grow toward the light), type of germinated seed, type of soil, and season. Different seeds require different quantities and needs for each of these elements, so doing your research FIRST before you start the process of seed germination is important. Needless to say, this guide will give you the basics.
Different Germination Methods
Germinating seeds indoors and outdoors is incredibly easy. Really, I couldn’t emphasize that enough. 🙂 In fact, you have many options on how to do that. Just check out this list:
1. How To Germinate Seeds In Water In A Cup
One of the first processes of seed germination is called imbibition. This is when the seeds “drink water.” By imbibing water into the seed, it starts off and even speeds up the metabolic processes need to make the seeds sprout and grow. If you’re starting learning how to germinate seeds in water, you can achieve the best results with an avocado seed (hello, guacamole!).
Some seeds need to be soaked in water (this is called pre-soaking) to soften the seed’s coat but to germinate an avocado seed, there’s no need for that. Rather, you can use a toothpick to balance it in the mouth and allow the roots to grow and feed on the water.
In Sponge
If you can germinate seeds in a cup of water, you can also sprout them using a sponge! This is a great idea if you are thinking of having fast-growing seeds. Note, though, since a sponge doesn’t have a lot of space available, you can’t have too many seeds in one.
To germinate seeds in a sponge, you need a clean dry sponge. A kitchen sponge will do. Then you have to run it on clean, tepid water. The sponge will soak the water, but it should not be dripping with it. Place the seeds inside the sponge and the sponge onto a clean dish. Check the sponge regularly for any sprouting.
In A Paper Towel
A very popular method of sprouting seeds is by using tissue paper or a paper towel. Germinating seeds in a paper towel is a viable option when you have a lot of seeds with you, and you have no idea which of these will grow successfully.
How to germinate seeds in a paper towel? So easy! It doesn’t even require sunlight. Get a kitchen paper towel and run it on water. Wring it to remove the excess water and spread the seeds evenly. Cover them with another moist paper towel and put in a dark area to allow the seeds to absorb the water properly.
2. How To Germinate Seeds In Soil
Muffin Trays
Germinating seeds in soil can be remarkably easy, provided you have the right kind of soil (although compost always works). The best part is you can be imaginative and creative by putting them in recyclables! Take, for example, the muffin trays, which are perfect when you are growing different sprouts simultaneously.
Plastic Containers
Plastics don’t decay at least within the next thousand years, so why don’t you recycle those plastics into containers to germinate seeds indoors? You can get plastic containers like these, place the seeds near the window, and allow enough sunlight to let the seeds grow.
Mason Jars
The great thing about mason jars is they tend to be deep, so there’s enough room for the seeds or sprouts to really take root. They also make nice decors for your kitchen counters and windowsills. If you’re planning a birthday or even a wedding, they make awesome party favors.
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There you have it, green thumbs! What you need to know about how to germinate seeds, what you need to germinate seeds fast and successfully, and where best to germinate seeds. Now you know you need not go far or spend much for this garden task when all you need could be right under your nose!
What are your favorite ways on how to germinate seeds? Do you have some tips as well? I'd love to know about it in the comments section below.
Now with this knowledge about germinating seeds, you might want to know how to grow fruits from seeds.
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