Do I need to soak flower seeds before planting?
There are a variety of reasons why seeds need to soak before planting. Mother Nature has put several defenses in place to prevent seeds from germinating at the wrong time. Soaking seeds will remove any germination inhibitors to help trigger the seeds into growing at the right moment. Pre-soak larger seeds. You can soak these seeds for about 8 hours to speed up germination. As you can see from the photo above, these seeds soak up a lot of water before they begin to grow. Be careful not to soak them too long. Over-soaked seeds will split or even begin to rot.Seeds You Shouldn’t Soak Before Planting Smaller pieces will not benefit from being placed in water. There are plenty of small seeds that won’t benefit from soaking. Not so much because they don’t have a seed coat that needs moisture to trigger germination, but because they are so small that it is just not practical.In a bowl, cover your seeds with warm water and leave to soak for 6-24 hours. Smaller seeds and those with thinner coats need the shorter time, and larger seeds with thicker coats need the longer period. Some seeds will naturally float, and some will stay below the surface.
Should I soak seeds before planting?
Almost all seeds can be pre-soaked, but it is large seeds, seeds with thick coats and wrinkled seeds that will benefit most. Small seeds benefit less and are difficult to handle when wet. Examples of seeds that benefit from soaking include peas, beets, cucumber, corn, squash, pumpkin and beans. Only larger seeds with tough exterior coatings should be soaked. Tiny seeds with thin outer shells do not require soaking. Soaking tiny seeds can cause them to clump together, making them almost impossible to sow.The norm is 8-12 hours, but some soak for only 20 minutes, some occasionally soak in warm or hot water and for more or less time – Check the seed information pages for the seeds you are sprouting. Skim off any non-seeds that are floating on the water*.
Do flower seeds need to be soaked before planting?
Not all seeds need to be soaked before planting, but some types will definitely benefit from this treatment. While all seeds have an outer shell that protects the plant embryo, it is a seed with a thick outer shell that will benefit from soaking. Soaking the seeds before planting helps soften and loosen up the outside layer. This makes it easier for moisture and important nutrients to get inside. However, this is not the sole reason to consider seed soaking. It also starts the germination process.For seeds to germinate, you need to keep the growing soil damp but not too wet. Learning how to water seedlings is pivotal for success. Many seed starters cover the container to keep soil moist until seeds germinate. Once seeds sprout, do not miss a watering.
What is the best month to plant flower seeds?
In the very early Spring (end of January to March) you can sow hardy annual seeds. These are seeds that will produce plants that are tolerant of frost – they’ll put on strong deep roots all winter long and produce flowers from June until the first frosts (where I live in Surrey that happens in early November). Dancing with the Sun: Annuals For annual flowers, in general, spring is the best time to start sowing annual seeds. For hardy annuals, such as Bachelor Buttons and Snapdragons, start planting seeds as soon as the ground is workable.