How to Germinate Seeds Before Planting

This easy trick will help you sprout your seeds before planting them in seed starting trays or in the ground. Easily determine which seeds are viable and able to grow before planting.

Use this trick before planting your seeds in seed starting trays. It quickly helps the seeds to germinate or sprout and you can see which ones are ready to be planted in soil. In this post you’ll find a few different methods to germinate your seeds before planting.

place seeds on damp paper towel to help them sprout before planting

I’m sure I’m not in the minority when I say I just can’t wait for spring.  Sunlight, warmer weather, and all those little signs of new life are so exciting, year after year.  Gardening has become a hobby of mine, and something that I enjoy learning more about every year. I learned this little trick several years ago and gave it a try, and it has changed the way I start seeds.  I can use old seeds from seasons past, test them, and give them the jump start they need to start growing quickly and healthily.

the best way to start seeds

This seed starting technique is called pre-germination, and I originally read about it in the book Starting Seeds: How to Grow Healthy, Productive Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers from Seedblank by Barbara Ellis.  Pre-germination helps you know which seeds are healthy and viable before ever needing to plant them.  

How to Pre-Germinate Seeds

Supplies Needed

  • paper towel or coffee filters
  • permanent marker
  • baking sheet with sides or shallow plastic take out containers
  • plastic wrap
  • seeds

1. Label Paper Towel with Permanent Marker

Cut down a paper towel to fit inside your container (or baking sheet). Divide the paper towel into sections and label each one with the name of the seed you plan to germinate. Get the paper towel wet, wring out the excess moisture, and then lay it in the bottom of your container.

2. Arrange Seeds on Paper Towel

Place the seeds that correspond to each label into each section of the paper towel. Spray the seeds with a mist of water, cover with another damp paper towel, and then cover the tray with the lid or with a piece of plastic wrap. Then, cover the tray with a piece of cardboard or something else to block most of the light.

germinate seeds by placing seeds on damp paper towel to help them sprout before planting

Note: Most seeds germinate best in dark conditions. There are some seeds that do need light to germinate. Your seed packet will mention if the seed needs light to germinate. After the seeds have germinated, all seedlings will need light to grow. More information on this in step 4 below.

3. Place the Tray in a Warm Location out of Direct Light

Move the tray to a location in your home out of direct sunlight. I usually put mine on a bookshelf that doesn’t ever get direct light during the day. You don’t need to create a pitch black environment, just avoid direct sunlight for the first days when the seeds are germinating.

Keep the paper towels damp at all times. I check the seeds every other day to ensure the paper towel is still damp. Lightly misting the seeds and paper towel is usually enough moisture to add. I would not recommend pouring water onto the paper towel. If you don’t have a spray bottle, pour a little bit of water in the corner of the tray and move the tray to disperse the moisture around the towel.

4. After Sprouting, Move the Seeds to Seed Starting Trays

sprout seeds before planting them in seed starting trays with with seed germination trick

After the seeds have started to sprout, move them into seed starting trays with seed starting mix soil. Plant them at the depth listed on the seed packet and then lightly cover with soil. Do not move seeds into the seed starting tray that have not started to sprout. Give them a few extra days to see if they do, and if not, it means they are not viable and will not produce a plant, even if you place them in soil.

Cover your seed starting tray with a clear cover and place it under a full spectrum grow light. I place my seed trays in my indoor greenhouse that I made from an old wood curio cabinet. It creates the perfect environment for starting my seeds until it’s warm enough outside to plant them in my garden in the spring. I built four L-shaped DIY raised garden beds and attached a fence to the raised garden bed and it’s my favorite place every spring and summer!

Seed Germination Tricks

  • As soon as you see the seeds begin to sprout, plant them!  If you let them sit on the paper towel for too long, they may try to root in the paper towel, making it hard to remove them without causing damage.
  • It’s can be difficult to pre-germinate very small seeds, like thyme or oregano.  It’s difficult to lift the tiny seeds off the paper towel, but it can be done with a gentle touch! Or, check out the next trick to help you if they are difficult to move.
  • You can plant the paper towel or coffee filter right in your seed starting tray. If your seeds get stuck in the paper towel, or they are teeny tiny, just cut out the paper towel with a couple of seeds on it and place it right in the seed starting tray. Then lightly cover with more soil.
  • Check to make sure the paper towel stays damp to the touch.  Too much water and too little water can be harmful to the seeds.
  • Use a seed starting mix when it’s time to plant the seeds in tray. It’s light and allows the seeds to easily germinate.

Another Method to Germinate Seeds

place seeds on damp paper towel to help them sprout before planting

Another way to pre-germinate your seeds it to dampen the paper towel, lay your seeds on top, spaced apart, and then loosely fold up the paper towel and place it in a ziplock bag.  Close the bag part way, place them in a dark location, and then wait a couple of days for your seeds to begin sprouting.

diy potting bench made only with 2 x 4s tutorial

I’ll never go back to just planting seeds in the ground or my starter pots without pre-germinating my seeds first!  It’s amazing how quickly they start to sprout when I use this technique.

Jenny at Refresh Living (dev.refreshliving.com)

Post by Jenny Leads

Jenny is the voice behind Refresh Living. She has a passion for helping people to create a home they love without spending a lot of money.

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3 Comments

  1. So smart to germinate them first! Love this idea. I’ve yet to try planting seeds, I think I’d kill them all. I’m always in awe of people with a green thumb!

  2. Great tips on seed starting! Isn’t it just miraculous to see those little green sprouts pop up? love it! Liz