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There are many ways to skin a cat, they say. So it goes for seed germination.
One way, of course is to put the seeds in the ground directly. If it's too cold yet, you can put them in well-watered trays of dirt and allow them to germinate there. One disadvantage to this is that some seeds won't germinate for that seed. Dirt and space are wasted on that seed. Also, some seeds germinate irregularly, it may not be convenient to have two plants in a tray which germinate a week apart.
The baggy method, on the other hand, provides a way to measure seed germination, and then the gardener can pick out those seeds that have germinated to pot-up with potting soil.
Materials needed: Seed, marker, paper towels, scissors, and water
It is actually rather simple. Materials seeded are a permanent marker, small sandwich bags, water and paper towels, and of course, seed. A small squirt bottle will make this easier.
Just take a small baggie, cut out a square of paper towel to fit inside the baggie. Label the baggie with your seed type. I also like to add the sow date, days to germination and plant spacing to make things easier down the road.
Label your baggie, dampen paper towel, add seed.
Gently dampen the paper towels with a small amount of water and add the seed, zipping up the baggie to finish. You can store the seeds in a dark desk drawer to check on periodically. However, those plants, such as lettuces and celery, needing light to germinate may be placed on a window sill. Other seeds needing cold to germinate may be placed in the refrigerator for the prescribed length of time.
Once you start seeing roots, you can plant them into seed trays with potting soil. Be careful not to harm the roots. If the root is stuck in the paper towel, I tear the paper towel rather than tear the root.
It is better to plant the seed just as the root is poking out of the seed, rather than damaging the growing root.
I add the sow date, and spacing requirement for the plant, so I don't have to check that when I plant them out into the garden later.
When roots are visible, pot the seeds up!
This year I had access to a cheap potting soil which had no nutrient in it, so I added a small amount of organic fertilizer to the bottom of my seed trays and watered them. This was about 1/4 of the recommended amount, as too much fertilizer can burn seedlings. A small amount can help them grow as early as the cotyledon stage.
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By the way, don't waste your money on an expensive "fade resistant" garden marker. Acrylic paint markers will do the job very well. My daughter received some for her birthday last year. I used it successfully for my garden, and can still read the labels left out there.
Acrylic marker pens are fade resistant outside.
This is so easy, and it is really fun to watch the germination happen in action.
Happy Gardening!
Below are the supplies I used, in case you would like to purchase them. I really recommend you get your child the beautiful paint makers and borrow one for your garden!
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