The seeds are bought and we are all anxiously awaiting the gardening season.  It is a great time to introduce the children in your life to see germination.  The paper towel seed germination method helps to germinate more seeds in less space, pick the best seeds that have germinated and germinate seeds faster.  What a simple way to not only see seeds germinate before your eyes, but to also take this process to the next level of transplanting the seedlings into a beautiful vegetable garden plant.

Items Needed:

• Paper Towels (absorbent/thicker ones work the best)

• Seeds (for beginners try peppers, tomatoes, peas & zucchini)

• Clear plastic sandwich, pint or gallon bags

• Permanent Marker

• Tweezers & Pencil

• Water (Spray Bottle)

• Small indoor pots (plastic or biodegradable) to use for transplanting seedlings

• Potting Soil

Let’s Get Started

Paper Towel Prep:

1. Wet the paper towels (number of towels will depend on how many seeds are started)

2. Double the paper towels into a large square and wet paper towels by running under water either from faucet or from watering can

3. Ring out paper towels so that they are damp, but not too wet.  If the seeds get too wet, they will mold/rot and then will be unable to sprout.

Time for Seed Germination Prep:

1. Choose seeds and place on one half of the square paper towel.  Once seeds are placed, fold over the other half of the paper towel so that the seeds are sandwiched between.  It is recommended that the paper towels should be rolled if you are germinating tomato seeds.

2. The paper towels with the seeds sandwiched between should then be placed in an appropriately sized plastic bag.  The bag can be labeled with the type of seed that is inside.  The bag can be left open slightly to help prevent mold from forming.  

3. Place the Seed Germination Bag in a warm and sunny spot in your home.  

Daily Monitoring:

1. Daily monitor seeds for roots to appear as well as to monitor for watering needs.  A white root will eventually emerge from the seed.  

2. Make sure that the paper towel does not dry out and if it begins to dry, mist with a spray bottle.  Monitor for mold on the seeds and paper towels as well.

Time to Transplant:

1. When the root is an inch or two long it is time to transplant.  

2. Prepare small potting containers by placing potting soil inside.  Place a hold for planting in the soil by using a pencil to make a hole.

3. The roots are very fragile.  Take a tweezer and gently pick-up the seeding by the seed coat.  Place the seedling into the hole so that only the white part is beneath the soil.  The seed coat and green stem should be above the soil line.  Cover the hole gently with soil.  Continue this process for each seed that has germinated or the number of seeds you choose to transplant.

4. Before planting outside, wait until your seeds have true leaves and follow the process for acclimating the plants to being transplanted in your outdoor garden. 

Photo Credits: PxHere.com (1), Flickr.com (2,3), Pexels.com  (4)