Should I soak herb seeds before planting? For many of us, planting a seed and growing a plant simply means putting the seed in the ground, covering it up, and pouring lots of water on it.
When it blooms, we are happy, and when it doesn’t, we just look for an explanation. However, there are valid explanations for the lack of germination of our seeds.
Soaking seeds before planting is not a new trend and has been a planting method for many years, although it is unfamiliar to many modern gardeners. It is also done universally. Although it is known to be a matter of personal preference, i.e. a gardener can decide whether or not to soak their seeds, this is not standard, but is recommended for many reasons.
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Benefits of soaking seeds before planting:
You are probably already wondering why I should soak my herb seeds before planting them. Here are some benefits/reasons for soaking seeds.
1. Retains moisture
Most seeds need a certain amount of moisture to germinate. If you plant the seed without soaking it, the seed will wait until it receives the moisture it needs before germinating, which usually takes a long time. However, soaking the seed before planting will increase the humidity and make it clear to the seed that it is in the right conditions to grow.
2. Protective coating
Seeds naturally have some protection around them, this protection is meant to prevent them from germinating in the wrong place. Soaking the seeds removes this protection and signals the seed that it is safe to grow.
The seed also softens when soaked, the shell, the hardest part of the seed, breaks down on soaking, giving the inner seed room to grow.
With these benefits, is it wise as a gardener to soak the seeds before planting them? YES! Growing your herbs in a tried and simple way is better than stress and wasting time. Seed soaking is a great way to watch your plant grow over time.
How long should you soak your herb seeds before planting them?
It is recommended to soak the plants for about 12-24 hours. This is enough time for the seed to swell.
Soaking longer than this time can damage the seed, which means your seed can go sour or rot. Your seed should be planted immediately after soaking.
Should I soak all herb seeds?
Although soaking seeds is good for germination, it is not for all seeds, some seeds spoil when soaked and some do just fine when soaked.
Small seeds do not need to be soaked before planting, they are difficult to handle when soaked, but large wrinkled seeds need to be soaked before planting.
How to soak herb seeds before planting?
To soak your seeds, the basics you need are shallow containers, water, and, of course, seeds. After collecting them, fill your bowl with water, pour your seeds in and let them soak. Yes! That’s all. While this is easy, some herb seeds may require special care, so keep that in mind.
Some herb seeds you can soak before planting
1. Dill
It is a grass that is best soaked before planting. Dill is well known and is used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Dill, like most seeds that require soaking, usually takes a while to germinate.
After sowing, germination can take up to two weeks, while soaking only takes 4-6 days. Soaking removes the protective layer around the seed which can prevent moisture from entering, it also prevents the seed from dying from lack of moisture.
Soaking the seed in other liquids can protect the plant from disease.
2. Rosemary
It is an easy to grow herb, it is known for its culinary and decorative uses. Rosemary is one of the most difficult herbs to grow in your garden because it is resistant to pests and drought. However, it attracts insects which can help with pollination.
Rosemary takes about 3 months to germinate, which is why most gardeners soak it before planting. In this condition, it should take 15 to 25 days to germinate.
conclusion
Finally, while seed soaking is good for your plant, it’s important to know that each plant seed has its own care routine. Not all seeds can be soaked equally, while some seeds need to be soaked in hot water and for less time, some not. If you buy your herb seeds from a store, you should read the care routine to find out how to soak them.