Seed Viability Test

Greg Holdsworth, contributor

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Here's a simple test to see if your vegetable seeds are viable and ready to plant. The required items are most likely things you already have in your home - spray bottle w/water, paper towel, plastic bag, and of course the seeds you wish to test.

You simply put 10 seeds on the paper towel, lightly spray them with water, then cover it with either a second paper towel or fold over the first sheet in half. Place the moist towel in the plastic bag, seal it, then put it in a dark location at room temperature. It's a good idea to label each bag with the date and the type of seed tested, especially if you are checking multiple packets.

You'll wait about a week to 10 days to see if any of the seeds appear to have sprouted in the bag. Only open the bag to check to see if it is still moist, every 2-3 days perhaps.

After that, take the paper towel out of the bag, gently open it, and see how many seeds sprouted. We did ten seeds because it represents percentages to 100. If only 3-4 seeds (30-40%) sprout for example, then you will have to either plant more or not use them at all. If at least 6-7 seeds (60-70%) sprout, they are probably still good.

The only catch here is that you have to have enough seeds to test. Better safe than sorry, right?

Have fun!

For more on articles and videos on starting seeds, see All About Starting Seeds.

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Comments (3)

hebintn writes: I've done this with some of my heirloom tomatoes. I just make a pencil hole in the damp potting soil and insert the root end until only the seed coat is above soil. Then snug up the soil slightly. Works most of the time.
Posted: 9:05 am on February 1st

yourownvictorygarden writes: Absolutely, assuming it's the time you'd be starting the seeds anyway. Depending on how long the stems were, it could be tricky getting the 'leaves' part above the growing medium. That's not imperative, but would surely help the seedlings out a little. I had an oriental veggie that took forever to sprout in growing medium, but sprouted much faster the 'bag' way. Go figure. Good luck.
Posted: 1:46 pm on February 24th

marcyincny writes: Greg, have you ever tried transferring the sprouted seed to growing medium? Do you think it's worth trying?
Posted: 9:27 am on February 23rd

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