Do you have old seeds? Unsure if they will germinate? Did you know you can test your seeds’ germination rate? Follow these steps:
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
- Water in a container (bowl)
- Paper towels
- Seeds
- Ziploc bag or container with a clear lid.
Step 2: Moisten the Paper Towels
- Dip the paper towel into the water.
- Squeeze out the extra water.
Step 3: Seeds
- Place seeds in the center of the paper towel.
- Fold the paper towel over to cover the seeds.
Step 4: Seal
- Write on the container the variety that you are testing.
- Record the days of germination. This is found on the back of the seed packet.
- Write the date that you started testing.
Step 5: Placing
- Put the bag/container in indirect sunlight for the length of time the seeds require for germination.
- You may be tempted to open your container up and look at the seeds. Don’t do it! You need to keep the seeds warm and moist.
Step 6: Calculating Germination Rate
- Germination rate is a percentage based on the number of seeds that you tested.
- If you tested 10 seeds and 6 germinated your seed germination rate is 60%.
Sabrina Schirtzinger, ANR Educator Knox County, can be reached at 740-397-0401 or Schirtzinger.55@osu.edu.