The cooler weather of the fall season makes it an ideal time of year to germinate seeds both indoors and outside. There's something special about watching seeds sprout. You've got a little dry particle in your hand one day, and severaln days later, tiny green shoots are reaching up towards the light. Learning how to germinate seeds is easier than you may think, and you get a much bigger reward from learning to grow from seed instead of always purchasing starts from your local nursery. For one, growing from seeds is cheaper than buying seedlings. Also, you can grow a much wider variety of plants than your local stores offer, and you don’t have to worry about retail stocks running out just when you’re ready to get started. Best of all, it has minimal up-front costs: you don't need any special equipment or training to germinate seeds. It just takes a little patience and some good quality seed starting mix. Aside from that, you need information on what seeds you can germinate successfully in your environment at different times of year.

In this blog, we will share some hands-on tips forseed germination indoors and outdoors. We will also talk about a method you might not know about for easily growing plants from seed: the Kratky method. Using these methods, you can grow healthier seedlings that turn into healthy plants.

What Do Seeds Require for Germination?

Seed germination is the process whereby a seed starts to sprout and develop into a seedling. This typically occurs when the seed absorbs enough water to initiate a series of biochemical processes. For this to occur, seeds typically require:

Moisture: The absorption of moisture from soil or another growing medium softens the seed coat. This helps to stimulate the secretion of enzymes from the seed coating that will nourish the embryo inside.

Warmth: Seed germination generally occurs in the temperature range of 65–75°F (18–24°C), but some seeds (like swamp milkweed) may require a period of cold stratification (i.e., cold and moist conditions) to start the germination process.

Air: Oxygen enables tiny plant cells to grow and divide. It's an important part of the process whereby cells metabolize nutrients and respirate (which means that they break down stored sugars to release energy).

Light or Darkness: Many seeds require light to trigger their germination process, while others prefer to do so in darkness.

When the conditions permit, a seed awakens. A seed first grows by releasing roots, followed by shoots. The first leaves that seeds produce are cotyledons. The second set is called “true” leaves. When seeds grow their first or second set of true leaves, you can usually begin to change their conditions (by transplanting them into a bigger container, for example)

How to Germinate Seeds Indoors

Indoor seed sowing is essential for all those with short growing seasons, especially in places where the weather is unpredictable. By germinating seeds indoors, you can extend your planting season and ensure that your seedlings get adequate sunlight before they are placed outside.

Steps for Indoor Seed Germination

Select a suitable container

Seed trays, tiny pots, or even old yogurt cups or plastic egg cartons are fitting. The only requirement is that they should have drainage holes.

Employ a good seed-starting mix

Steer clear of garden soil. Such a mix is too dense, may invite pests, and can encourage damping off or root rot. A light blend with proper aeration helps roots grow outward.

Plant at the correct depth

Read instructions. Some seeds can be buried in soil, while others rest on top.
Keep soil damp, but not soaked, which will damage plant roots
Spray or mist. Too much water can rot seeds.

Give them warmth

Set your planting trays in a nice warm spot or on a seed heating mat if the place is chilly. Keep in mind that seed heating mats should only be used until seedlings emerge from their pods; after that, a seed mat will dry them out or burn them very quickly.

Provide your seedlings with adequate light

A bright windowsill might provide enough light for a short time, but most experienced gardeners know that they should set up grow lights to help their plants grow healthy and more vigirously.

Thin out seedlings if required

If the planting area gets overpopulated, plants must be removed from the soil, and the healthiest of them should be given better chances to grow. Trying to grow too many seeds in inadequate space means that none of your seedlings will be healthy, and worst of all, they’ll compete with each other for light, water and nutrients.

How to Germinate Seeds Outdoors

Some seeds should be sown directly into open soil. Root vegetables and those that grow fast are a couple of examples; carrots and beetroots would work, as would sunflowers and beans. These seeds do not do well when they are transplanted from one area to another.

Some outdoor seed germination tips

Prepare the soil

Break apart any clods and remove stones, then rake it smoothly. Loose soil allows the roots to expand easily. Amend the soil with compost, worm castings, perlite (for drainage), or even crushed egg shells (for drainage). Even if you buy a prepackaged bag of garden soil, it’s a good idea to amend it with nutrients that will sustain life: remember that soil is not just dirt; it should be a thriving ecosystem that is teeming with microbes, good bacteria, protozoa, and a host of other organisms, including beneficial insects that will be attracted to the healthy climate you have created in your garden beds.

Check soil temperature

Cold soil will delay germination. Sow only when the soil has warmed up in late spring for warm-season crops like cucumbers or corn. You can also use a plastic covering to warm up your soil a bit faster.

Mark your rows or spots

Mark the spot with a string or stakes so you will remember where you planted. This also simplifies weeding.

Water carefully

Water with a watering can that a fine spout; alternatively, you can use a soft spray hose. Strong streams of water can wash away small seeds. The best option is to use a simple irrigation system of hoses and connectors. Many home improvement and garden supply centers sell these kits inexpensively.

Keep safe from pests

Birds, ants, or slugs might eat or carry away seeds. You can cover seeds with a frost cover or row cover if you are concerned about pests destroying them. Alternatively, fine mesh netting works well to keep out many different kinds of pests.

Common Mistakes That Slow Germination

Even with caution, some seeds fail to germinate. These are a few reasons why:

Seeds are planted either too shallow or too deep.
The soil has dried out before the seedlings emerged, or soon afterwards.
Garden soil was used instead of a seed starting mix (most seeds don’t need soil at all to germinate!).
Seeds are sown too early, when days are still short and outside temperatures are too cold.
Bear in mind that some seeds take longer to germinate, such as parsley.

Be willing to wait. Germination can be easy, taking as little as 3 days for some seeds like basil. It may take as long as 3 weeks for others, like cilantro.

The Kratky Method for Seed Germination

If you like experimenting with new methods, the Kratky method is certainly worth exploring. It's a basic method of hydroponics, or growing plants without soil. Instead, seeds develop in water with supplemental nutrients.

How the Kratky method Functions

Seeds are put in net pots filled with a growing medium (such as rockwool or coco coir).
The pots rest on top of a container of nutrient solution.
The roots dig downward into the water, but the top of the root system is exposed to air.
No need for electricity or pumps, the plant takes care of its own water and air levels.

This particular method of sowing involves mainly leafy greens: spinach, basil, and lettuce. The process is clean and compact; it is even feasible to do indoors on a windowsill or balcony.

A Few Simple Ways to Protect Seedlings after Germination

At Green and Prosperous, our take on gardening at Green and Prosperous prioritizes the principle of ‘do no harm,’ meaning that we believe that gardening should do as little damage as possible to both your plants and the surrounding environment. This means working with, not against, your local environment, and using eco-friendly, conservation-oriented methods of growing and managing resources. With that in mind, successful germination can be accomplished with a few simple methods like these:

Rotate trays daily if seedlings are near a window. This prevents them from becoming too ‘leggy’ (what happens when seedlings stretch and lean towards the light).

Fertilize lightly when true leaves have formed. A soft organic fertilizer is best. You may even want to dilute it more than the recommended amount while your seedlings are just beginning to grow, then increase the amount of fertilizer once they have reached the aggressive growth stage.

Harden off seedlings before transplanting outside. Acclimate them outside for several hours daily, increasing time progressively, such that they are hardened to sun and wind. If the weather is rainy or windy, protect them from the elements with barriers like an umbrella, row covers, or even placing them close to a structure like a shed or the side of your home while hardening them off.

Transplant with caution when roots are well-established but not pot-bound. Root-bound plants are in a weakened state. You may need to remove them from their pots and soak them in a shallow tub of water before transplanting to minimize the shock they’ll suffer.

Why Seed Germination Is Worth the Effort

Growing plants from seed is much more rewarding than buying seedlings. You can go experimental with your heirloom vegetables, uncommon herbs, or even flowers. You can even try your hand at creating new varieties if you save seeds from one season to the next. Growing plants from seeds is particularly helpful when items are not available in markets. And finally, it feels good to know that you coaxed a plant into life from scratch.

Successful germination requires few skills

Growing plants from seeds that you’ve germinated indoors or outdoors requires only elementary skills; you don’t need a green thumb to make this a successful endeavor. From adequate soil preparation to trying out different methods for germinating seeds, such as the Kratky method, you can rest assured that every seed you sow has the potential to sprout into something beautiful and healthy.

If you want to learn ecological methods of gardening, backed by science and decades of growing experience, sign up for our mailing list to receive information, tips, and resources for your gardening journey, including our library of Free Resources. Growing from seed is actually one of the easiest forms of sustainable living and self-reliance you can try, with minimal inputs or expenses needed. So what are you waiting for? Get growing today!