Pre-soaking Seeds?

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G.Y.

Posted: Jun-02-2004 at 8:27pm

I tried to post this earlier today but didn't succeed - sorry for taking up space.

Anyway, I've read in a few places about pre-soaking some kinds of vegetable seeds before planting (larger ones which are easier to handle than tiny ones). Speeding up germination time sounds like a good idea. Is pre-soaking the way to go? And for how long?

Thanks.

 

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gary

Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor

Posted: Jun-03-2004 at 8:02am

How about pre-sprout rather than pre-soak. I and many others have used pre-sprouting of large seeds for early plantings of peas, corn, and beans. A simple quick spray down, wrap in paper towel, and place into a plastic bag. Keep close track of the progress though. I remember one time I lost more than half a batch of corn sprouts trying to untangle the 3" roots from the towel and the other roots.

All of the above are examples crops with which we try to rush the envelope in our climate. A bad guess on the germination weather and all we get in the ground are some rotted seeds.

I know beans and I think most other seeds have a natural coating that provides some wet soil protection. Soaking them too much can remove this protection. Steve Solomon's Chapter Six, Seeds, gives a lot info on getting your plants started. On page 173, he describes presprouting seeds during summer heat.

"First give them an overnight soaking in water. At bedtime, place the seeds in a half-pint mason jar, over the jar with a square of plastic window screen held on with a strong rubber band, barely cover the seed with a few drops of tepid water, and soak them overnight."

That hardly sounds like soaking to me! He goes on to warn "Do not submerge them any longer than eight hours, or you may suffocate them." He then rinses the seeds each day until the root tips emerge.

As usual I strongly recommend putting Steve's book close at hand. The last part of the seed chapter, "An Insider Tells About the Garden Seed Business", alone will pay you back the cost of the book.

Again to your germination question, do also read the sidebar, Raising Transplants Outdoors, on page 196.

Gary

Olympia, Sunset Zone 5, USDA Zone 8

 

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suektwo

Location: Western Washington

Posted: Jun-03-2004 at 8:58pm

Hi Gary, Steve's book sounds like one I'd like in my library! I'm fairly new at growing from seed and can certainly use the kind of information that you describe as in the book. What is the title of the book that you are recommending? I took a quick look at Amazon.com and it appears he's written several. Thanks!

Susan

 

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gary

Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor

Posted: Jun-04-2004 at 5:17am Susan,

The title is Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades: The Complete Guide to Natural Gardening.

It is among the books listed at this site's Bookshelf under Edible Gardening. It is the sixth down at:

Gary

Olympia, Sunset Zone 5, USDA Zone 8

 

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Bill N

Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley

Posted: Jun-05-2004 at 11:59pm

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and from what I have seen I think I'll like it. I don't sprout my seed, it's warmer here than in the Puget Sound area (or Loraine)so I don't really find it necessary. I do use innoculant, put it on the peas early on, then use the remainder on the bush and pole beans. It seems to improve yield and germination as well. Gardening West of the Cascades is my bible!

Bill

Corvallis

 

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growsherown

Location: Olympic Peninsula

Posted: Jun-06-2004 at 11:57am

They oughtta call the book.."The vege Bible"..LOL.....BUY IT.....soon! suektwo....see the post here in edibles called....BUY THE BOOK for more personal references!

FYI..I never soak seed......too much work!

 

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cjmiller

Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley

Posted: Jun-13-2004 at 12:19pm

I join the refrain, Dont soak the seed. I know it is fun to see the seeds respond, but there seems to be less problem if you just plant them. I put my bean, corn, cucumber and squash seed in Memorial Day weekend and they are all up. Also, I plant to the thinned recomendation rather than every 3 to 4 inches. I hate thinning, It seems cruel to pull someting so cute and hopeful as new sprouts! It is easier to fill in than to pull them out. Today I have about 6 seeds to plant to fill in the bean row. It is great to have Steve Solomon "in hand" anytime you recognize a gardening problem.

Carol