• Home
  • About
    • Resources
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Store
  • Grow
  • Cook
  • Preserve

Grow a Good Life

journey to a self sufficient life

in Gardening· Spring Gardening

How to Pre-Sprout Seeds for Faster Germination

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
  • Share

Wondering whether your garden seeds will sprout? You can eliminate some of the wait time by pre-germinating seeds. Pre sprouting seeds germinates seeds before planting. This saves time, eliminates thinning, and conserves space.

photo of germinating pumpkin seeds on a white towel

One of the most frustrating things about starting vegetables from seed is waiting for them to emerge from the soil. Pre-germinating seeds is a great method for the impatient gardener, because it lets you see your seeds sprout before they are covered with soil.

I had pepper seeds that were several years old. I hated to throw the package away without checking to see if they were still good. I checked the viability of the seeds by doing a seed germination test.

About half the old seeds sprouted, and the rest were duds. I planted the sprouted seeds and watched the seedlings carefully to see if they would grow. I didn’t expect much from them, but they did grow into healthy transplants that were eventually planted into the garden.

After experiencing how easy it was to see which seeds germinated using paper towels, I decided to pre-sprout more of my indoor seedlings. I routinely pre-germinate tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, Swiss chard, melons, cucumber, squash, cilantro, spinach, and kale.

Benefits of Pre-Sprouting Seeds

A seed is triggered to sprout by warmth and moisture. Normally, you sow a seed into a growing medium, such as damp seed starting mix or peat pots. Then you cover the seed with soil, water, place in a warm spot, and wait for the seed to sprout and break through the soil surface.

Pre-sprouting lets you germinate the seeds first, and then you can place the sprouted seed with the root into a seedling container to grow. You can see the seed and don’t have to wonder if it is doing anything under the soil. Other advantages of pre-sprouting your seeds include:

  • Saves money: Instead of throwing away older seed packages, you can pre-sprout to see if some of the old seeds are still viable.
  • Conserves space: You don’t have to sow a whole tray of seeds hoping that at least half will germinate. Instead, you pre-sprout the seeds in a small container, and only plant the ones that germinate.
  • Saves time waiting for seeds to sprout: Pre-sprouting accelerates germination because the seeds can be given ideal moisture, air, and temperature conditions indoors.
  • Excludes the bad seeds: You only plant the seeds that geminate. Simply throw away the duds.
  • Eliminates the need to thin out seedlings: With pre-sprouting, there is no need to toss three or four seeds into a pot and hope at least one will germinate only to have all four seeds sprout forcing your to eliminate the extras.

How to Pre-Sprout Seeds

Pre-sprouting seeds is a method used to germinate seeds on a damp paper towel before they are planted. It is a great gardening hack that speeds up germination by providing the seeds with perfect moisture, air, and temperature conditions indoors.

It may be helpful to review this article on 10 Steps to Starting Seedling Indoors to get your seed starting area setup, and then follow the steps to pre germinate your seeds:

Materials needed to pre-sprout seeds:

  • Containers or plastic bags: Any container or zipper bag will work. My favorites to use for pre-sprouting are the plastic see through mini muffin bakery containers or egg cartons. These are divided into small cells that are ideal for organizing and labeling individual seeds. The cover can be snapped closed to keep in moisture. Since the containers are clear, you can check on the seeds without opening the cover.
  • Paper towels: A damp paper towel will help deliver consistent moisture to your seeds without drowning them. Too much moisture will cause your seeds to mold or rot.
  • Water resistant labeling material: I cut strips of white duct tape.
  • Water resistant marker: Sharpies work well and will not wash away if splashed with water.
  • Spray bottle: A spray bottle filled with water is the easiest way to moisten the paper towels without soaking them.
  • Seeds of choice: Larger seeds seem to work best. Try pre-germinating tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, Swiss chard, melons, cucumber, squash, cilantro, spinach, and cole crops.
  • Warm and safe area: Moderate heat will help your seeds germinate quicker. Consider locating your containers in a warm area, such as near a heat source, or on top of the refrigerator. Around 70°F to 75°F is average for most seeds. Choose an area away from drafts and a place where the containers will not be knocked over or forgotten.
  • Seedling containers: Have your seedling pots ready to plant once the seeds germinate. I like using soil blocks to grow seedlings. I make up a tray of soil blocks ahead of time so I am ready to transfer seeds when they sprout.

Directions for Pre-Sprouting Seeds

Step 1: Line your container with paper towels. I like several layers of paper towels, so I fold them in half and cut to fit. If you are using plastic bags, fold and cut your paper towels to fit.

Step 2: Label your containers. Use a water-resistant marker to label your containers or bags.

Step 3: Dampen your paper towels. Spray the paper towels with your spray bottle. You are aiming for the paper towels to be damp, not dripping. If you notice the water pooled in your container, dump out the extra.

Step 4: Add your seeds. Spread your seeds out on top of the damp paper towel. If you are using containers, simply close the cover. If you are using plastic bags, fold the paper towel over the seeds and place in the bag.

photos showing how to pre sprout seeds steps 1-4

Step 5: Place in a warm area. Locate your seed containers in a warm area away from drafts. Also consider choosing an area where the container will not be knocked over or forgotten.

Step 6: Check seeds daily. Examine your seeds each day for germination and to make sure the towel stays damp. Spray the towel if needed.

Step 7: Transfer sprouted seeds to growing medium. Some seeds will sprout quicker than others. As soon as a seed shows tiny roots it is ready to plant. Carefully transfer your sprouted seed to your prepared seedling containers or soil blocks. Be very careful not to damage the root. If you do, the sprout will die. If the root has grown into the paper towel, snip around it and plant paper towel and all.

Place the sprouted seed on top of your growing medium and cover with dry seedling mix. Mist with your spray bottle and place under your growing lights.

photos showing the transfer of a pre sprouted seed to a planting pot

Step 8: Keep your seedlings warm and moist. Use your spray bottle to keep the soil surface moist and continue caring for your seedlings as described from step 5 on in this article: 10 Steps to Starting Seedlings Indoors.

—

Pre-germinating seeds with a damp paper towels is a great gardening hack that speeds up germination by providing the seeds with ideal environment. Plus you can see the seeds sprout and not have to wonder what is happening under the soil.

This article was originally published on March 5, 2014. It has been updated with additional information, photos, and video.

You May Also Like:

  • How to Set Up a Seed-Starting Grow Light Shelf
  • 10 Steps to Starting Seedlings Indoors
  • Troubleshooting Seed Starting Problems
  • How to Make a Seed Starting Schedule

Good planning is key to a successful vegetable garden

Whether you are new to growing your own food or have been growing a vegetable garden for years, you will benefit from some planning each year. You will find everything you need to organize and plan your vegetable garden in my PDF eBook, Grow a Good Life Guide to Planning Your Vegetable Garden.

Grow a Good Life Guide to Planning Your Vegetable Garden

photo of pre-sprouted squash seeds on a white towel

 

  • Share

Filed Under: Gardening, Spring Gardening Tagged With: seed starting

FREE email series:
5 Easy Vegetable Gardening Tasks You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less!
Plus get seasonal gardening tips, recipes, and ways to preserve the harvest right in your inbox each week.

Previous Post: « Simple Seed Germination Test
Next Post: Old Dogs: Millie is Feelin’ Good »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Victoria says

    August 4, 2020 at 10:23 am

    I have pre sprouted seeds for years. Works very well with things like beans, peas, corn, melons, and squashes. The bigger the seed the easier it is. I did sprout beets that were “taped” and it worked pretty well. I placed the tape on a plastic wrapped tray and then covered it eith paper towels that I kept damp. Once the seeds had sprouted I took the tray to the garden and carefully transferred the seeds. Depending on the size of tray, you will have to cut the tape to fit. I used a 1/4 sheet pan and got about 7 strips of tape.

    Reply
  2. Poppy says

    July 2, 2020 at 10:25 am

    Hi! I have one question: can I do the same with the seeds that are planted directly into the soil? Or is this just for seeds that are planted into containers and then transplanted?

    Reply
    • ©Rachel Arsenault says

      July 5, 2020 at 10:38 am

      Poppy, Yes you can plant the sprouted seeds directly in the ground too.

      Reply
  3. Jessi Doshier says

    June 22, 2020 at 5:53 pm

    Found your post extremely helpful! I have never planted a garden before and am attempting to start one in my backyard. I just read up on an article regarding amending my existing soil outside. While making the amendments to my soil, I went ahead and pre-sprouted my seeds in a plastic muffin container like you outlined here. Once sprouts become visible I plan on transplanting them to the soil outside. Can’t wait to see the results! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • ©Rachel Arsenault says

      June 27, 2020 at 7:29 am

      Jessi, I love how pre-spouting saved you time! Good luck with your garden 🙂

      Reply
  4. Claudia Phillips says

    June 2, 2020 at 10:34 am

    I can’t wait to try this! Since the coronavirus has kept me home this spring I’ve started growing from seed instead of going to the nurseries to buy plants. I’ve been trying to figure out how to start seeds indoors without investing in a lot of equipment. Thanks for this post.

    Reply
  5. Don Netter-Hodge says

    May 19, 2019 at 2:01 pm

    Hi. Been doing this for years as I got tired of gaps in the rows of seeds planted in the ground. Used to plant as soon as root started but for the past few years with beans, cucumbers, corn and tomatoes I wait until the root has formed and the stem “knuckles” ; plant them direct into soil with the knuckle exposed. At the end of April I return from winter away and the soil temperature is about 60-65 degrees, too cold to germinate well but sprouted seeds grow in it vigorously

    Reply
  6. Billie says

    November 1, 2018 at 1:40 pm

    Can this be done with flower seeds as well?

    Reply
    • ©Rachel Arsenault says

      November 1, 2018 at 4:31 pm

      Billie, Yes it can.

      Reply
  7. Callie says

    April 21, 2017 at 8:10 pm

    I used this idea using my regular cupcake tims (I have like 4 and never use them). It worked just as good! Thanks so much for the lesson!!

    Reply
  8. Alice says

    April 9, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    I just got a couple of green bell peppers from the store. Can the seeds from those be sprouted?

    Reply
    • ©Rachel Arsenault says

      April 10, 2016 at 7:49 am

      You can’t save seeds from store bought green peppers. Peppers are not fully ripe until they have changed color. The green peppers you purchase in the grocery store are immature peppers. However, you CAN sprout seeds from the packages of dried peppers. These are fully mature before they are dried. Here is an article about saving seeds from Mother Earth News: http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/saving-seeds-zmaz87sozgoe.aspx

      Reply
  9. Brenda says

    April 5, 2016 at 8:49 pm

    Could you use this method and plant directly outdoors? This year I don’t have space to start indoors but I have flowers and vegetables I’m hoping to start from seed directly outside. I’m in North central WI

    Reply
    • ©Rachel Arsenault says

      April 6, 2016 at 7:42 am

      Yes, you can. I pre-sprout many seeds before planting outside such as spinach, squash, and peas. If the soil is warm when you plant the sprout, it will pop out of the ground quickly.

      Reply
      • Tiersa says

        March 31, 2019 at 3:24 pm

        I know this is an old post but I have a question…once sprouted which type of soil do you use? Seed starting mix or would potting soil work?

        Reply
        • ©Rachel Arsenault says

          March 31, 2019 at 5:04 pm

          Wayne, You should be fine with either seed starting mix or a potting soil. I use soil blocks that are mix of potting mix, peat moss, and perlite.

          Reply
  10. Brianne says

    April 1, 2016 at 8:16 pm

    Once a sprout is obvious, how quickly do you plant it? As soon as the case is cracked or once a tiny sprout is sticking out or wait until the sprout is a bit bigger?

    Reply
    • ©Rachel Arsenault says

      April 2, 2016 at 8:07 am

      Brianne, I try to plant it as quickly as the sprout is visible. That way the root can burrow quickly into the soil to establish itself.

      Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Plan Your Garden

cover of ebook Grow a Good Life Guide to Planning Your Vegetable Garden

your favorites

colorful lettuce in the garden

rosemary plant in a pot

closeup of a zucchini garlic bite

seed starting tray filled with soil

Footer

disclosures

Grow a Good Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Grow a Good Life uses affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. Full disclosure policy.

Copyright

All content is ©2020 Rachel Arsenault Grow a Good Life Media. Please feel free to Pin or link to articles with credit and a link back, but do not copy, take images, or content from this site without my permission.
For more info: Syndication and Use of Article

looking for something?

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Copyright © 2009-2021 Grow a Good Life Media | Disclosure & Affiliate Advertising Policy | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy