Seed Starting: Pre-Germination and Fluid Seeding

Planting pre-germinated seeds in a fluid gel allows you go get jump-start on your garden, extending the growing season in short season gardens. Because pre-germinated seeds will grow in soil that is too cool for germination, pre-germinating them may gain weeks over direct seeding. The fluid gel suspends the pre-germinated seeds and protects them from damage from handling.

Prepare the Soil
Cover the prepared garden bed with plastic to warm the soil two to three weeks before the expected planting time.

Pre-germinate Seeds
Both vegetable and flower seeds can be pre-germinated in the home in early spring by layering between to sections of damp paper towel. Spread the seeds out on half of the wetted paper towel, allowing room between seeds for tiny sprouts to grow. Fold the towel over the seeds and place in a plastic food storage bag or wrap in plastic wrap. Place in a warm area, preferably one with bottom heat. On top of the water heater or other home appliance that produces steady gentle heat is a good choice.

Check the seeds daily for signs of germination. Some seeds, such as cucumbers, tomatoes and beans germinate within a day or two-while others such as carrots may take considerably longer.

Keep the paper towel moist at all times by spraying with fresh water when it dries. Seeds should not be allowed to dry out as tiny roots die quickly without moisture.

Prepare the Fluid Gel
Add one tablespoon of cornstarch to one cup of water and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Stir to dissolve the cornstarch and thicken the gel. Remove the gel mixture from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

Make the Dispenser
Pour the mixture into a plastic baggie or Ziploc bag. Add the pre-germinated seeds, using care not to damage tiny shoots. Seal the bag. Holding the bag in your hands, gently jiggle the bag to distribute the seeds in the gel.

Fluid Seeding: Planting the Garden
Snip the corner of the plastic bag with a pair of sharp scissors. Gently squeeze the bag like a cake decorator's tube or a tube of toothpaste to spread the gel down the row in your garden. Use steady even pressure to distribute the gel and pre-germinated seeds evenly in the furrow.

Floating Row Cover
Cover the row with floating row cover to provide added protection from the weather and to encourage rapid growth.

Starting short season gardens by fluid gel seeding extends the length of the season and gets crops off to a good start in the spring. Always observe proper planting times for your area. Cool season crops such as greens, carrots and radish may gain several weeks growth and mature before hot weather arrives, as seeds planted in fluid gel can grow even when the soil is too cool to promote germination.

SOURCES:
Carl Wilson. Use Fluid Seeding To Start Vegetable Seeds Early. Colorado State University Extension