January 13, 2025, 3:53 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
If you have leftover seeds from last year’s gardening, you can theoretically use them in the new year. But before you start planting or spreading them in the garden, you should check if they are still viable. To do this, you conduct a germination test. myHOMEBOOK shows you how–including in a video.
With the start of a new year, gardening enthusiasts often can’t wait to get back outside. Since the temperatures usually don’t allow for much outdoor work, you can keep busy indoors. How about sorting through old seeds? Before you throw them away, you should test their viability. If the test is successful, you can use them once it gets warmer.
Overview
What is a Germination Test?
A germination test checks if old seeds are still viable. Seeds don’t last forever; their viability decreases over time. To determine this, you conduct a germination test. This saves time, as you won’t have to wait weeks after planting to find out the seeds won’t sprout and need to start over.
Related: DIY Seed Tape Using Toilet Paper
How a Germination Test Works
A germination test is quick to perform. You only need the following:
- Plate or bowl
- Water
- Paper towel (Alternatively cotton, toilet paper, or soil)
- Optional: plastic wrap
- Seeds
https://oembed/myhomebook/affiliate/345bbea959886cce0f13f6943b2d0df9c3a6d6fec12bde1299ad286d1d0b0881/8e6e2b30-0677-421d-83d2-e1e4481878f8/embed
Here’s how it works:
- Place a damp paper towel in a bowl or on a plate.
- Scatter seeds on the paper towel.
- Then either cover with another damp paper towel or stretch plastic wrap over the bowl or plate.
- It’s important to keep the paper towel moist at all times. However, the seeds should not be “drowned” in water, as they could rot.
Note: If nothing happens and no seeds sprout after ten days at the latest, you can dispose of the seeds. If about half or more of the seeds sprout, the seeds are still usable. If not, you should buy new seeds.
Also interesting: 7 Common Mistakes When Growing Vegetables
How to Easily Grow Your Own Alfalfa Sprouts
8 Things You Should Never Flush Down the Toilet
What to Do After the Germination Test
You can conduct the germination test regardless of the recommended planting time–but if it aligns, the seeds can be planted directly in the garden after a successful test. If you don’t want to throw away the sprouted seeds, you can plant them in a seedling container with soil and see if it works.
Where to Dispose of Old Seeds
With old seeds, there’s a high chance the germination test won’t be successful. In this case, dispose of the seeds in the organic waste bin. However, if the seeds are treated, the situation is different. Treated seeds generally refer to those that have been coated with fungicides and insecticides. Due to the chemicals, treated seeds are considered hazardous waste.