EASY Paper Towel Seed Germination Hack - A Step by Step Guide from Germination to Potting #67

[@Beaguins]

Thanks for the video! I use this method quite often. There are two things I like about it: 1. it seems to improve the germination rate, and 2. I can take the sprouts and space them out correctly instead of thinning. If the seeds adhere to the paper towel, I just tear the little bits of paper towel they adhere to and plant them with the seeds.

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you very much for your comments which are always appreciated. Yes, this technique provides a lot of great benefits and I like your suggestion of tearing the tissue and planting it for small seeds that stick to the paper towel. Kind regards. Gary

[@Solitude11-11]

Really timely, I just today was getting everything ready for seed sowing. Something I like and dislike in equal measure, great when they sprout, frustrating when a tray does almost nothing after a couple of weeks of anticipation! Great idea, thank you 😊

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you very much for your comment and I’m really pleased you enjoyed the video. I’m sure you will be pleased with the results when you try this method. Kind regards. Gary

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Don't forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON and also the BELL ICON to be notified when each new video is uploaded. I hope you enjoy the videos and let me know if you have any suggestions for future videos. Thank you for watching. Kind regards. Gary

[@greenfingers9437]

I love this video and as I’m a fair weather gardener I can start my seeds indoors! Thank you!

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you very much for your comment and I'm really pleased you found the video helpful. This really is a fantastic way of germinating your seeds which I am sure you will be very pleased with. Kind regards Gary

[@Solitude11-11]

UPDATE: I have one very important piece of advice for anyone trying this…get everything ready to plant them before doing this! I did loads of flower and veg seeds. They all germinated with the speed of light, and I just spent all day transferring them to trays and modules 😂 And several of them had got away from me so fingers crossed they make it as they are a bit leggy. It was exactly a week since I put them in. Definitely works! I will not get quite so carried away next time though…😉

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you very much and good advice. Yes, it is worth thinking about how many seeds you try to germinate at once, but as you say the method works well. Thank you very much for your excellent comment and great advice. Kind regards. Gary

[@freckles2437]

I tried this last year with sweetcorn and squash which can both be tricky, found it invaluable. Jo 🙂

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you very much for your comment Jo. Yes, I've found it to work for all varieties of veg and flower seeds, especially those ones that can prove tricky. Thank you once again for your comment and kind regards. Gary

[@najninawal5771]

Beautiful share 😊

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you so much. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the video. Kind regards. Gary

[@dereknolan2695]

Great video did this with my pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds works perfect with great results

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you for the comment Derek. Yes, it really is a great way of germinating seeds and I’m really pleased you liked it. Kind regards. Gary

[@emmagudge6052]

I had a go at this just after you posted the video. I’ve had varied success (I’ve randomly picked seeds as I have so many 🙈). I am about to pot on some that worked and start again with a few others. Thank you for the video.

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

No problem Emma I’m pleased you are having sine success with this method. Let me know how you get on with your seeds. Kind regards. Gary

[@sharonbownes5170]

Great video, I’ve not tried doing that before, so will do this year. Thank you

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you very much for your comment Sharon and I'm pleased you liked the video. Yes, definitely give it a try, I think you will be both surprised and pleased with the results. Kind regards Gary

[@tanyareynolds1960]

Fantastic video and tip. Very clearly explained. Thank you

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you very much Tanya. I’m really pleased you enjoyed the video. Kind regards. Gary

[@SusanWebster-pz2vg]

Thanks for sharing 🌱

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you very much for your comment. I hope you found the video helpful. Kind regards. Gary

[@lastakocjancic8677]

Thank you so much. Lasta

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

No problem at all Lasta. I’m pleased you liked the video. Kind regards. Gary

[@michaelsplot]

Great video Gary all the best

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you very much Michael, I’m really pleased you liked the video. Kind regards. Gary

[@skrame01]

What is this stuff that all the brits call compost? Is this potting soil? Or some kind of qctual compost only?

[@lyndasnoek289]

When using paper towel germination have you to open bag to keep damp?

[@katedijkers7827]

Am excited about this method of seed germination and am going to try it! Am having trouble with my chive seeds (not germinated after days) - do you think this method will also work for chives?

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Kate, Thank you for your comment which is greatly appreciated. Yes I've found this method to work for all types of seeds so give it a go with your chives! When you have put them in the paper towel and bag, put them onto a window cill indoors and I think you will be pleasantly surprised! Please let me know how you get on. Kind regards Gary

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi Gary, great video on an alternative method of germinating your seeds. Does it matter which way you put the seed in the compost after germination? Thanks for sharing and take care 🙂

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you very much or your comment Christine. I would suggest putting the seeds into the compost after they have germinated in the same way and depth that you would have sowed them using the traditional method. By using this method you will know that they have already germinated when you put them in your compost. I hope this answers your question and kind regards. Gary

[@rosethorne9076]

I've just planted some seeds using the traditional method - then I've just seen your video! . Next time, I plant seeds, I will use your method. Oh, can I ask a stupid question- nothing to with seeds though. Bamboo canes - which end goes in the soil ? The thin end or the thicker end? Or does it matter? Thanks.

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Hi Rose and thank you very much for your comment and question. No question is stupid so please ask whatever you need to know and I will try my best to answer for you. Bamboo canes can come in different thickness and sizes however if I get a cane that is thicker at one end compared to the other I will always put the thicker end into the ground. I do this as I find that the cane is more stable and grips better. Kind regards. Gary

[@rosethorne9076]

@@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen now you've said it, it sounds obvious. 🤦‍♀️. Many thanks again.

[@rosethorne9076]

@@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen now you've said it, it sounds obvious. 🤦‍♀️. Many thanks again.

[@wales123100]

Good video I see what you're saying but is it really worth the extra faff most seeds are generally good these days I can understand for something like parsnips which are poor germinators but beans etc are normally reliable enough aren't they cheers

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. I agree that for most seeds germination is not generally an issue however it is worth using this method for any seeds that you might struggle with. It is quite a simple method that does my really take a great deal of effort so it is worth giving it a try. Thank you once again for your comment. Kind regards. Gary

[@CustomCroshae]

Did you keep yours outdoors

[@DebRoo11]

So now how do I get my pre sprouted carrot seeds off of this paper towel without wrecking the sprouts?😅

[@davidallcock2455]

As a last resort just put some sun gold tomatoes to the test as 3 times this year I’ve tried the conventional method in compost and all 3 times they have failed. Can’t even blame it on the seeds as I’ve used the seeds from 3 different suppliers. All my other tomatoes have germinated fine

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Hi David. It is well worth doing this method and I’m confident your seeds will germinate. Let me know how you get on. Kind regards. Gary

[@davidallcock2455]

Sure will mate and keep up the good work with the videos really enjoy watching them 👍👍👍

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

@@davidallcock2455 Thank you Dave that is really appreciated. Kind regards. Gary

[@lindastambaugh6945]

Could you also with the small seeds just put the paper towel on the top of the pot and cover it and the seeds do just as well?

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Hi Linda and thank you very much for the comment and question which is greatly appreciated. Yes, I've not done it that way myself before but I don't see any reason why that wouldn't work for small seeds as long as the cover over the pots was nice and tight say with a rubber band. Kind regards Gary

[@yk786]

How do you prevent mould from setting in?

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Thank you for your comment. I’ve never had a problem with mould using this method as the seeds normally germinate quite quickly. I would imagine that this might be an issue if the seeds took longer to germinate as they would be in the plastic bags longer. Kind regards. Gary

[@musicmike22]

Could you not (particularly for the small seeds) put some compost in a tray, lay the tissue with the seeds on the compost and then put more compost on top?

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Hi Mike and thank you very much for your comment which is greatly appreciated. The beauty of putting the seeds in the polythene bag is that you can inspect them an see if they've germinated. I'm sure your suggestion would also work, however I like to see that the seeds have germinated before I cover them in compost. Thank you once again for your comment and kind regards. Gary

[@musicmike22]

@@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen Sorry, I meant after they had germinated.

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

@@musicmike22 Hi Mike, I suppose for the smaller seeds that would probably work, but I've never tried it. I'm going to give that a go so thank you for the suggestion. Kind regards Gary

[@Nightengale0000]

Should i close the bag?

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

Hi Marlon. Yes, the bag should be sealed. Kind regards. Gary

[@Nightengale0000]

@@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen I am doing it with katuk seeds. You every heard of katuk?

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

@@Nightengale0000 Hi Marlon, I've heard of Katuk and I know its a perennial but I've never grown it myself. Kind regards. Gary

[@RosaDollsArt]

I have tried this many times, but ended up with moldy seeds. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

I’ve found that the seeds can sometimes exhibit mold if they are too wet or left in the bags too long. Possibly try using less water on the paper towels and planting them soon after they have germinated and see if that helps. Thank you very much for your comment and please let me know how you get on. Kind regards. Gary

[@RosaDollsArt]

@@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen Thank you. I'm going to give this another go. Thank you for your help.

[@TheAllotmentGardenandKitchen]

@@RosaDollsArt No problem at all and good luck, I'm confident that this will work for you. Kind regards Gary