The Most Important Thing to Do NOW Before Starting Seeds

[@denisemusicnut]

When I saw the thumbnail shot, I thought you were going to tell us to pray before starting seeds! Well, it couldn’t hurt!😂

[@MIgardener]

😂😂😂 I don’t know why KZbin did that.

[@gayeknight]

Amen!

[@SarahK-d6o]

Hey, couldn't hurt😅

[@kathywilliams-xt9kd]

I'm not a very good gardener. A lot of my success is in God's hands.

[@Timamoun1]

@MIgardener Hey, this youtuber is having issues with your seeds. She says the label is not the plants it produces. @sunrisefarm_on_the_hill

[@VivaPonics]

We just got our seeds yesterday, as if 10 packs of seeds for 20$ wasn’t crazy low price already, yall threw in a free salad mix and package to save seeds. That is the definition of going above and beyond! Our family can’t wait for year 2 gardening

[@loukrudewig3414]

Same. Really like this company

[@darinwright2901]

I received my order of 10 packs today with the free pack salad seed mix. Already started adding seeds in the cart for my next order.

[@rebeccarittenhouse2203]

Seriously 10 for $20 is cheap? 😂😂😂

[@darinwright2901]

@@rebeccarittenhouse2203 Just curious, what is your point?

[@VivaPonics]

@@rebeccarittenhouse2203 cheaper than other online stores as well as Home Depot and Lowe’s. As a new gardener I don’t have the special hookup or ability to have generational seed saving. So yes it is cheap to me.

[@karenh3701]

I once babied a broccoli plant for what seemed like months to dry its flowers and harvest seeds. I got a huge amount, and I laid them out to dry before packaging, as I always do. Months later, I retrieved the package only to find the entire batch was moldy, and the seeds had definitely not dried thoroughly. Sad lesson to lose everything.

[@way2fast503]

If you’re unsure about the viability, you can also use this method just before you plan on planting seeds to see which ones germinate. As soon as the viable seeds germinate, transfer them to your seedling trays and you have 100% usage of your growing materials (assuming all the seeds/seedlings survive the transfer, which they should if you gently transfer them right away). I did this with my cucumber, melon, pumpkins and squash seeds last spring and just transferred the ones that sprouted into my trays. The ones that didn’t sprout went into the compost along with the paper towels they were on.

[@jeannettequinton9674]

Awesome content! A few years back I decided I would try to grow leeks again and from seed that I had saved from my garden in NW Indiana. The leeks I got seed from accidentally overwintered and without protection and through the hardest winter in years. We had at least 2 weeks of -25F with windchills of -80F and lots of snow.. I know because I started plowing that winter (2013 -2014). The leeks surprisingly grew and i saved the seed; it was 7 years old by the time I thought oh why not try it. I got an 85 % germination from it. It was incredible to me as allium seed is considered generally viable for one year! You just never know. 👍

[@seanrich1367]

A corn grower I knew in the past would test 100 seeds. He would adjust his planter based on the germination rate. Great info and Thanks Luke.

[@MIgardener]

That's a smart strategy!

[@retiredinnameonly8429]

But what if the old seed has only say, five seeds? Me, I just treat it as a crapshoot and count it as all bonus if anything sprouts!

[@mayasalter1624]

This is helpful. I have never done this. I am a new gardener. This is the first year that I have participated in trading seeds. I don’t know the age of those seeds. I received my order from your company. I will definitely order from you again.

[@jannajenkins2276]

I’m anxiously waiting on my 15 seed packets to arrive. This is my first time to ever try seed starting since a huge fail about 18 years ago.

[@elizabethlane8690]

I have been a SFG gardener for years, and have never done this before! I can see how this would be helpful for saved seeds especially.

[@crazy8skml]

We used to do this in elementary school. Thank you for showing this! ❤

[@MIgardener]

I'm so happy this video is helpful! Happy gardening!

[@igleamingrace]

Luke, my biggest germination issue is with spinach and beet seeds. I’ve only been able to get two beet seeds to germinate in spring and two this fall. 😂 I used your American Spinach seeds, and they did well, however Bloomsdale and Giant Noble were few to none. I’ll be planting the Olympia Spinach today, hoping to have more luck. My wind to grow spinach is small, so I want to grow as much as I can, when I can.

[@ashlen6823]

First year trying this, excited! Mini science/stats experiment

[@darcysimental5299]

Such a great topic to cover and just in time! Thanks Luke

[@MIgardener]

You're welcome! Happy to help!

[@morningwoodfarms713]

EPIC!!🎆 THANKS, LUKE!! 🙏🌱🏆💖

[@jenniferyoung7542]

This is a really good idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I have lots of old seeds and haven't had a garden for a couple of years. Currently I only have large pots to grow veggies in. I am going to test some of my seeds for germination rate to decide what I will plant this spring.

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

The seed starting heat mat I ordered from you arrived late last night was about to fill in the review you requested ( arrived before mat,mail man delayed because of snow storm). So a very timely video.

[@MIgardener]

I’m so glad you got your heat mat. I’m really looking forward to you using it and enjoying it!

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

@ so am I starting onions seeds I got from you end of the month or early next month.

[@cynthiag3065]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. This was very helpful and informative.😊

[@maryshaddox1172]

Cool, learned some more good stuff because I do have some old seeds. Ive been wondering if they were still good. Now I can find out. Tks.

[@JRoChi]

Just ordered a bunch of flower and veggie seeds from MIGardener 🌸

[@GentrysGarden]

I just did this yesterday with flower seeds I collected. I used little condiment containers we had on hand.

[@Warrior-In-the-Garden]

This also helps keep the gardening bug at bay. Sometimes I start things too early.

[@thinkwy13]

This makes a lot of sense.

[@gaylaskates8831]

Perfect timing!! I just today went through all my seeds to see what I need to order. I saved my own seeds last season for the first time ever. I’m going to do this tomorrow to check those. Thank you!

[@user-xb7sj2uk4u]

Got a baggie going with roughly a decade old cauliflower seeds (packed June '09, sow by June '11). I just dumped the whole sachet in. Not holding my breath that any will germinate tho who knows knows. Anything is possible.

[@JustBlazeeeeee]

I’m a betting woman 😂😂 I got $2 that 50% will germinate 😂😂😂 happy growing 🦋💕🦋

[@maryjane-vx4dd]

10%​@@JustBlazeeeeee

[@JustBlazeeeeee]

@ 🙌🏼😂😂

[@terrimarks3694]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@MIgardener]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@nazishbibi1772]

Hi just seen ur vid love what u do great information u got my sub

[@karolynMe7044]

What a great winter project idea. I need to go through my seeds. I have questioned the viability of my 2018 Anaheim seeds.

[@biscuit7910]

Thank you a million times. Duh! Why didn't I think of that. It makes so much sense. You are a gold mine of info. God bless you for sharing your knowledge. ❤2u&2all

[@victorialg1270]

Do you give heat, light or dark for specific seeds?

[@caroldragon7545]

When I am getting ready to start seeds, I wet the paper towel and squeeze out the water until it is just damp. I fold it and place my seeds, then roll it up. I don't plant a large garden, so I don't use a lot of seeds in a roll. I check them regularly. As soon as a seed shows a teeny white root tip, it gets planted. I grow three seeds for every one that I eventually want in the garden. That way I can just use the very nicest seedling to grow on. I grow the others as well, but I give them away.

[@johnkehoe8368]

i remember using some old bean seeds and they where like 15 years old they where my best ones i grew that year but i decided to try doller store seeds lol and they did not do well at all so after that i went back to good seeds lol

[@cynthiahennessy7]

This has been very helpful, thank you.

[@deborah0357]

Great Idea. I have a lot of old seeds.

[@hollish196]

When I buy a completely new kind of seed, I like to get them from John Schleepers' Kitchen Garden Seeds because they list the number of years that seed should remain viable. Such a great service!

[@richardroadcap7957]

Hot peppers are always challenging to germinate

[@ScottMcbean-623slm]

Live in Port Huron, yet 2 shop at your store, soon though. Building expectations, awesome phrases!!! No mistakes and moving forward/time is maybe Children, especially expectations of Children, whatever...

[@calebbrazeau4597]

So when you say to put the zip bag in a worm place does that mean under a grow light or in the sun, or a dark place?

[@kennypridemore5466]

Great video😊

[@jvin248]

I have been trying to germinate Wild Rice from organic store food supplies. It may be a good project for MIgardener sales but apparently they need stratification and to stay damp not dried down from harvest to planting.

[@AkSonya1010]

Luke, can help with talking about what kind of tempetures things need to grow? I am struggling with several things not matureing fully, I get beautiful plants and fruit grows but it doesn't get very big. Things tomaoes, peppers and eggplants. I am fertalizing weekly, I make beautiful compost. I am at a loss.

[@KristenK78]

You shouldn’t need to fertilize outdoor gardens weekly. Compost will have some of those nutrients, but when in doubt, add the specific fertilizer for the crop when you plant, or just before planting. That fertilizer should last at least that growing season. If you plant something else in the same area later that growing season, if it uses different nutrients, you might be ok. That’s also why crop rotation is important: it slows down how quickly you deplete the nutrients in the soil. (It can also limit disease issues.)

[@AkSonya1010]

@@KristenK78 Sorry, I said weekly, I do weekly for my flowers. I do monthly for my veggies and I use MI gardener trifecta.

[@carriebeard-R.I.T.S]

❤❤ Great video

[@MIgardener]

Thanks so much!

[@alysiaritschel]

Do you happen to have a list of a general germination rate decline based on each veggie? I'm pretty new to gardening and I didn’t know that about carrots and onions, so thank you.

[@nicholeszabo-hamilton8035]

Can you use the seeds that sprouted on the paper towels and put them into a seed starting try or do you need to start new seeds in the seed starting tray?

[@jessicaunruh8231]

Thanks for the tip! Should these be kept in a dark or light area? Does it just depend on the specific seeds' needs?

[@KristenK78]

Most of the time, putting it in or near a window where it will get some sun, but not get too cold, is fine. These are just germination tests, so don’t overcomplicate it :)

[@bradbrandt9578]

In todays busy life I wish I had time to do that

[@biscuit7910]

If you have time to watch videos, use 1/2 that time to work with gardening & seeds. 😊 I think we all spend way too much time on our phones, computers, & the internet. I know I do. I've consciously made myself cut down that time. Surprisingly, it's helped tremendously. Hope this helps you too. 😊

[@bradbrandt9578]

@ definitely agree

[@2Mushy]

I like to take those sprouts that grow in the paper towel and plant them! It a good seed, no need to waste them.

[@lidip8700]

I want to go back to gardening like my grandparents did. . . No shade cloths, no tall tunnels. . . Plants didn't burn, green bean leaves didn't melt. I don't know what they're spraying in those chemicals trails, but whatever it is magnifies the sun. I'm in my 60s & have garden since I was walking. I'm so frustrated that I'm contemplating of giving up gardening! I lost our whole potato harvest from them freezing (heat source failed), along with 38 potted pepper plants that in think froze in the same building. I'm just tired. And I'm not enjoying it anymore.

[@rookiegardeningjournal]

I gave never heard of this before and will be doing it before winter sowing. This info is invaluable. Not only is this helpful for confirming percentage of seeds that will germinate, but the ones that sprouts in the bag, can we sow those?

[@MIgardener]

You definitely can sprout those seeds if you don’t want to toss them.

[@juneramirez8580]

I was just going to find a spot in my garden to show them all. And let nature do what she wants. I have new seeds I want to use my resources on!

[@jvin248]

Experiments you can do with seed germination: Expose seeds to a Strong South-Pole magnet (large neodymium) and see Priming (wet then let nearly dry again).

[@KurtWickham]

I've kept a collection of hundreds of squash varieties since 1993 in airtight containers in my freezer . Germination is excellently preserved, but if the original l germination was not great it was still not great even years later. I should have Germination tested my samples before I stored them away.

[@24carrotgold8]

My sunflowers 🌻 🌻🌻 and cauliflower germinated nicely. They seem to be adjusting well to garden transplanting. Temps are still in the 80°Fs on Oahu. 🏝🌋🌊 How long do my garlic bulbs need to be in my freezer to simulate the winter state before planting?🧄🧄🧄🤔

[@MaryLouHeskje]

Daughter and SIL learning to container garden in Oahu now:) any suggestions?

[@24carrotgold8]

@MaryLouHeskje I grow lettuce for my rabbit 🐇 in containers on my lanai. The slugs eat it if I plant in the ground. Tomatoes don't do well here, but I did harvest some in December 2023. Ace Hardware in Wahiawa has a plant specialist Friday thru Sunday that gives guidance on killing pests. We have community gardens here. I have 20ft X 40ft across from Wheeler Army Airfield.

[@MaryLouHeskje]

@24carrotgold8 I was recommending the grow some garlic also!

[@Jessie_D_83]

Would you do it this way if seeds need it to be dark to germinate?

[@Kimberlyle98]

If the seeds sprout due the test can you plant them? Or should you throw them out?

[@angelacalloway8125]

Tfs😊

[@Roux-AtlasCreation]

is there a reliable source with a list of seeds that need to be cold stratified before planting?

[@1timothydillon]

I wouldn't waste the seeds. I always plant a few per pot, cell, or hole, select the best, and snip out the rest. Percentage of germination is unnecessary.

[@thekarenszoo]

But sometimes you only have 10 seeds to begin with, in which case you plant them all and order more seeds

[@cathycharron-folsom4504]

That is how I start all plants. Once they germinate, I transfer into warm soil and up it comes.

[@RealLifeGardening]

Has shipping always been 10.95 cause I feel like it was like 6ish last yr.

[@maryjane-vx4dd]

Germination isn't everything. I grew 15 yr old tomatoes. I had a 100% germination. Tomato production? Almost nil

[@jSheapullen]

I wonder what % germination of marigolds in cool and dark are...

[@brendawomack5380]

I've just baked some sweet potatoes that I purchased and they have brown sections inside that feel like a hard rock. They aren't solid but quit hard to press. I've never seen this in my 70+ years of cooking sweet potatoes. Does anyone know what caused this. There are no holes into the potatoe.

[@rjaquaponics9266]

Wouldn't a sink test on old seeds be accurate for germination. Sinking seeds are viable, floating seeds will never germinate. This normally works for me. Now, after germination, do you simply plant the sprouted cluster in soil with fertility and let nature thrive?

[@zprince4120]

Germination testing Step 1; Plant seeds Step 2; Keep moist and wait a couple of weeks If they don't pop up they failed 😁

[@objective_psychology]

I have a much simpler way of testing: plant them, and see what grows.

[@sowertosow]

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV

[@cathycharron-folsom4504]

Since we only get 25 seeds in most packets this is waste unless you can plant germinated seeds. Some of us are on budget.

[@thetommantom]

First

[@MIgardener]

Congrats!!! You get a virtual high five. ✋