How long to soak seeds?

[Retrocon]

I've been trying to catch up with all of the old seed soaking posts on here...my eyes are too tired to read anymore. I will risk your righteous indignation to see if I can get quick answers....spent too much time sealing the deck today, didn't get around to this earlier.

I want to plant kentucky wonder pole beans, amish peas, boston favorite, soybean, cukes, amish melon, butternut squash, radish, beets, carrots, lettuce tomorrow from seed and I've been hearing about soaking seeds first.

How long do you soak seeds, and do you just soak them in water? I'm going to prepare them while I clean and then seal the easy part of the deck (the decking vs. the freaking railings and spindles) and then get planting (with the help of some child labor! hehehe, actually the thrill will probably wear off after planting 3 seeds and I'll be working solo).

I truly appreciate your answers. Thanks.

[ghostwriter]

I soak mine more or less over night (roughly 12 hours) in just plain water. Some people recommend between 12 and 24 hours. For me peas, beans, moonflowers and morning glorries all seem happy with 12 hours give or take and hour or two.

[Crocodile]

I don't know if it's true or not, but I've been told that soaking seeds in a cool cup of black tea will provide some protection from fungus. I think I'll try it on my moonflower seeds.

[Blanesgarden]

Some of those seeds you mentioned dont realy need soaking, like the radish, carrots, beets and lettuce....
However, again....It depends on temps, and soil temps.
Soaking is useless, if the soil isnt warm enough, they will just rot.
My most difficult seed to germinate than needs soaking...Moonflowers(crack them too)
Also Gourds.
As for beans, 6 to 12 hours...
Your region may vary, good luck!

[ghostwriter]

Crocodile, let me know how it works out. My moonflowers replanted themselves this spring, maybe next year I'll have to replant manually.

[Retrocon]

Sigh. The SFG holy handbook says that "while some (seeds) can be soaked overnight, some fall apart after only an hour; it depends on the seed. Big seeds should be soaked for only about a half hour to an hour. Bean and pea seeds, which might look shriveled up, swell up and break in half if you soak them too long. Beware, water makes some seeds slippery. A plastic spoon can help you handle them." (All New Square Foot Gardening, pp121-122, Mel Bartholomew)

Now come on. I suppose it is my own fault for thinking that this would be a comprehensive guide, but thank God for a website like this one. This book is so full of generalities that it makes me want to kick something. For new gardeners this book is lacking.

Anyway...any thoughts on THIS information...also, which time of day is better for planting..morning when it is cooler, or early evening when the soil is warmer? Thanks.

[cottagequeen]

I've never soaked my seeds and they have done just fine.

[TennOC]

Soaking seeds will ...maybe...save you a day or two for most garden vegetables. Since they're already swollen when you put them in the ground, they germinate a little faster, given the right soil temp, other moisture etc. Gourds I always scarify and soak, most veggies I do not unless I'm in a hurry.

[momol]

I found presoak seeds germinate faster and more evenly such as sugar peas, beans, squash, spinach,chard, corn,etc. I would generally soak every big and tough seeds around 8 hours (approximately), set them in a glass of water the night before and plant them in the next morning. If the temperature is not warm enough, the soaking action will speed up the rotting of the seeds.
Good luck with your planting.

[TastyofHasty]

From

The Harrowsmith Country Life Book of Garden Secrets, by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent & Diane E. Bilberback:

The seed coat that surrounds the living seed sometimes does more than just protect it. The seed coats of many plants contain chemicals that inhibit germination of the seeds. This keeps them from germinating too early or when only briefly exposed to moisture. Some gardeners who are interested in rapid germination soak and wash their seeds to get around these germination inhibitors. Some types of peppers, such as jalapenos, may germinate more rapidly if soaked in a couple of changes of lukewarm water before planting. Beet and chard seeds also have a germination inhibitor; these strange-looking lumpy "seeds" are not really seeds at all but dried-up fruits of the plant, each of which contains several seeds. (That's why beets and chard always need to be thinned.) The hard fruit covering contains a germination inhibitor, but if you soak the seed (fruit) overnight, it will absorb too much water, and you will still have poor germination.

Seed coats play other important roles in the lives of plants. They regulate how much oxygen, water, and light the seeds receive. You may have planted beans or corn in soil that was very moist but cool and were dismayed by subsequent poor germination. The seed coats of these crops can allow water to rush into the seeds too quickly, as with beets. This rapid water uptake can damage the tender cell membranes, permanently harming a young seedling so it grows slowly or preventing germination altogether. This process has been termed imbibitional shock, or soaking injury. Soaking injury can occur at any time with some crops, but cold temperatures make it worse.

To avoid soaking injury, you can allow the seeds of sensitive crops such as beans, beets, and corn to soak up water gradually before planting them in the garden. This method is called seed moisturization. One way to do this is to place them in moist vermiculite for eight to sixteen hours before planting. An easier method for most home gardeners is to place damp paper towels on a sheet of wax paper, sprinkle on the seeds you want to hydrate, and roll up the towels with the wax paper on the outside. Leave the seeds inside the paper for eight to sixteen hours at room temperature. Don't let them sit for more than nineteen hours, or the delicate seedling root may begin to penetrate the seed coat, and you could damage it during planting.

[windsng225]

I don't soak any of my seeds, they grow just fine.
joyce