Speed up germination for some veggies and flowers by soaking seeds before planting.

Matthew Benson

Soaking seeds before planting them mimics the favorable growing conditions after a spring rain.

Water is what wakes up many types of seeds and tells them its the right time to sprout.

Seeds soaking in water in a narrow mouth flask and a packet of open seeds on the countertop.

Credit:Matthew Benson

That depends on the jot down of seeds.

Heres what you gotta know about which seeds to soak and how to try this technique correctly.

But when youre growing them at home, a tough seed coat can slow down germination.

dry bean seeds and pods with seed packet

Credit:KINDRA CLINEFF

Soaking seeds in water hacks that protection system and makes seeds sprout faster.

Soaked seeds sprout faster and turn into productive plants sooner.

KINDRA CLINEFF

Which Seeds to Soak

Large seeds with tough coats can benefit from soaking before planting.

These include several popular vegetable and flower seeds.

This is a technique called scarification, and it lets water into the seed faster.

Plus, getting tiny seeds wet can cause them to clump together, making them harder to sow.