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This is how you get difficult seeds to germinate.

Some seeds may be more difficult to germinate than others. Some may need to be cooled for a period, soaked or even lightly filed with a nail file before they sprout. Here are the tips you need to succeed with even the most stubborn seeds.
Liselotte Roll
Written by: Liselotte Roll

Swedish garden inspirer, journalist and author of books about nature, cultivation and animals, such as "Soil", "Grow for insects" and "Chickens as a hobby".

Vegetable growing – How to succeed

Vegetable growing – How to succeed

Growing your own vegetables has become very popular, even in smaller spaces like balconies and terraces. There is a lot to choose from when it comes to vegetables from seeds. More and more varieties are now available as small plants, as well as fully grown plants with fruit already on them.

Grow your own
Seed school - sow from seed indoors

Seed school - sow from seed indoors

There are many edible treats you can sow yourself. Or perhaps you'd like to cultivate beautiful flowers to make bouquets with? Learn more about how to successfully sow seeds and how to take good care of your plants.

Grow your own
Sow your summer flowers from seeds directly in the garden bed

Sow your summer flowers from seeds directly in the garden bed

Direct sowing means skipping the step of starting seeds indoors and sowing directly in the outdoor bed. You get a beautiful bed faster, save indoor growing space, and avoid some of the transplanting and acclimatization of young plants in the spring. You can also sow in the fall for an earlier bloom in the spring. The seeds remain dormant, waiting for the right temperature to begin growing.

Grow your own
6 good reasons to grow your own

6 good reasons to grow your own

Sure, growing both flowers and vegetables is fun, but there are also several other reasons to grow your own – here are six of them.

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Plant seeds in the autumn and enjoy flowers in the spring.

Plant seeds in the autumn and enjoy flowers in the spring.

Sow seeds early and late in the fall - and be greeted by a blooming garden in the spring. Which seeds are suitable for overwintering? Read more here in our guide and get your planting done in the fall before the frost comes.

Grow your own
Soil and fertilizer when you are going to sow and cultivate

Soil and fertilizer when you are going to sow and cultivate

When sowing seeds and growing plants, there are a few things you should consider to get healthy, strong, and vibrant plants. The right soil at the right time is one of the most important.

Soil and fertilizer
Have you ever planted a whole bag of seeds that just refuse to grow? Many of us have been there, and there could be several reasons why.

Seeds that require cold

Maybe it is because the seeds need one or more periods of cold to get started. Some seeds actually need cold, darkness, and moisture to germinate, a process called stratification. This usually applies to plants that normally live in cold places, such as many tree-like perennials, shrubs, and trees. The seeds have evolved this unique trait to survive the winters. If they had started to sprout in late summer or fall in their wild habitat, the tender and fragile plants would freeze to death during the winter. Therefore, the seed is wise to go dormant until spring arrives.

One way to succeed with seeds that need a cold period is to sow them outdoors in winter and cover the seeds with snow - or even easier, let the plants sow themselves. Another option is to collect the seeds in February/March, after they have already been stratified outdoors.If you prefer to sow indoors, you can use the refrigerator. You can either place the pots with newly sown seeds in the refrigerator for a while, or you can put the seeds in the refrigerator before sowing. If you choose the latter, it often works well to place the seeds in a box with sand, white moss, or vermiculite. Once you see the seeds starting to sprout, take them out and sow them in soil so that the germination process does not stop.

Do not give up if the seeds refuse to sprout after one treatment. Try again! Some seed types, such as Queen Anne's lace and giant verbena, may need several rounds of cold and warm temperatures before they germinate.

Seeds that need to be soaked or ground

Seeds with hard shells can sometimes have difficulty germinating, as the shell prevents moisture from penetrating. By soaking the seeds before planting them, they usually germinate more easily. Place the seeds in lukewarm water for a day, unless otherwise stated on the seed packet. The most important thing is that they swell a little. Chili, peas, and beans are examples of seeds that benefit from being soaked. Some seeds with thick shells may benefit from being scarified before planting. This can be done by gently filing with fine sandpaper or a nail file. Some seeds require both soaking and scarification.

Seeds that grow in the darkness

A few seeds are not satisfied with just being covered with a little soil, they want it completely dark before they germinate. In these cases, you can place a cover or a bit of black plastic with tiny air holes over the newly sown seeds. Check them every day, because when they start to sprout, the opposite applies - then they need fresh plants light!

Seeds that need a lot of light

Some plants only sprout if the seeds receive plenty of light. These are sown on the surface of the soil and covered only with a thin layer of perlite or similar, which allows light to pass through. Plant lighting is often necessary to speed up the growth of these seeds, and the light should be on for 12-14 hours per day. To prevent them from drying out, it may be wise to cover the newly sown seeds with plastic with air holes, or keep them in a mini greenhouse.

Temperature and bottom heat

Various seeds prefer different temperatures. To succeed with seeds that require extra warmth, such as chili, it may be worth investing in a special heating mat for cultivation. The heating mat helps to increase the bottom heat. Just remember to keep an eye on the seeds you have sown, so they don't dry out.

All seeds need moisture

All seeds that have started to sprout need moisture. To control the humidity, it is wise to put the newly sown seeds in a greenhouse or under transparent plastic with holes in it. Check the moisture level daily. Tender new plants that dry out will die. But it should not be too wet either, as the plants may suffer from lack of oxygen.
Sometimes there may be things in the soil that you definitely do not want there, for example pests like fungus gnats. For the most sensitive seeds, it may be worth sterilizing the soil. This is easiest done in an oven or microwave. In a regular oven, the soil should be kept at 100 degrees for half an hour. In the microwave, it takes less time, around 4 minutes. To preserve the moisture in the soil, you should place a plastic cover with holes over it when heating up the soil.

Which soil should I plant in?

As long as it doesn't say anything else on the seed packet, seed soil is usually the best choice. Regular soil can be too rich in nutrients for young plants. But there are exceptions - some seeds can be planted directly in planting soil.

You need help? Ask me!