Test Germinating Tomato Seeds
*This was originally posted in January. I wanted to bring it back up for a quick Sunday review. March 1st is a great time to start tomatoes is Zone 7. You might want to test germinate your tomato seeds and save yourself self money. It takes about a week to test sprout them.
Most seeds are stamped on the back of their packs with the growing year. Seeds have a small amount of moisture in them and they can naturally last years. Some seeds 'dry out' faster than other seeds. You can save a lot of money by test germinating your old seeds.
Most seeds are stamped on the back of their packs with the growing year. Seeds have a small amount of moisture in them and they can naturally last years. Some seeds 'dry out' faster than other seeds. You can save a lot of money by test germinating your old seeds.
Why test germinate? Do you really want to spend more money if you have seed or wait several weeks only to realize your seedlings aren't sprouting.? Besides it is something to do in the winter!
You can increase the shelf life of your seeds by storing them in air-tight containers in the house. I have tomato seeds that have lasted 3-4 years.
Testing them is pretty easy. The video shows you all the steps but here is how you do it.
- Moisten a paper towel and wring out the excess water
- Put 10 seeds, scattered on the towel
- Fold the towel in half and then in half again
- Put the towel in zip lock back and label it.
- Store it out of the sun at around 70-75 degrees
- Check on it at day 5,7, and 10.
If 8 out 10 seeds sprout then you have an 80% germination rate. If you have 2 seed germinate then you have a 20% germination rate.
Don't worry if the towel grows mold in colors of red, green and black. It happens.
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