Some seeds take a long time to germinate, and seed soaking can help to speed up the process. By soaking seeds in lukewarm water for 8-12 hours (some can go up to 24 hours, but never more than that), you help the seed to break dormancy and germinate faster.
Pre-Soaking.
This method could be the fastest way to germinate seeds. Place seeds in a shallow container in warm water and leave them for 16 to 24 hours (smaller for 16, bigger for 24). Remember not to expose seeds to temperatures higher than 80°F (26.6°C) and not to pre-soak seeds for more than 24 hours.
As a general rule of thumb, your seeds will sprout even if you don't soak your seeds before planting, but with soaking, the germination time decreases, and the germination rate increases. Seeds that have a continual flow of moisture to uptake have much higher chances of success.
Soaking seeds before planting helps you to break down the seed's natural defenses against what it expects from Mother Nature, which then allows it to germinate faster. Another reason is that while Mother Nature actively assaults seeds, she also gave those seeds an internal gauge to help them know when they should grow.
The seed coat softens by soaking your seeds in a properly diluted hydrogen peroxide solution, allowing the seeds to absorb more oxygen. This results in increased germination speed. Due to its chemical similarity to water, hydrogen peroxide is one of the safest chemicals you can use in the garden to combat root rot.
Examples of seeds that benefit from soaking include peas, beets, cucumber, corn, squash, pumpkin and beans. In a bowl, cover your seeds with warm water and leave to soak for 6-24 hours. Smaller seeds and those with thinner coats need the shorter time, and larger seeds with thicker coats need the longer period.
The answer is, no, you don't technically need to soak the seeds before sowing, but it sure does speed up germination big time. We are all aware that seeds in the wild can germinate without our assistance.
Make sure to strain and rinse the nuts or seeds after soaking to eliminate the residual water which contains the absorbed enzyme inhibitors and toxic substances. Once you have given them a good rinse, enjoy them immediately or store them in your refrigerator for later.
Seeds absorb water when soaked. This makes them soft and big. Soaked seeds germinate faster. It is also easy to cook them.
Seeds need to be moderately moist to sprout. Seed germination is highly dependent on watering. Too dry and they won't get the message to sprout, too wet and they will rot in the dirt.
Hydrogen peroxide can also reduce viruses, bacteria and fungi that may be lingering on your seeds. Some claim it's a good way to prevent “damping off”, a common problem for gardeners who start seeds indoors. As the seed soaks, you should see a noticeable swelling. This is a good thing – it's taking on water.
Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007).
The seeds you shouldn't soak include: carrots, lettuce, radish, celery, turnips, and spinach. Listen to Cathy Isom's This Land of Ours program here.
Just long enough for the seeds to swell but not so long that they might begin to sour and rot. Overnight is usually good. Many sources recommend 8-12 hours and no more than 24 hours. Again, too much soaking and the seeds will start to decompose.
Benefits of soaking nuts
"Essential nutrients like iron, protein, calcium, and zinc are better absorbed by the body when you soak the nuts. The water removes the phytic acid present in acids which causes indigestion. So, soaking nuts helps in digesting them properly and reaping the benefits of these nutrients.
Like most things in gardening, there are always exceptions to this rule of 2-3 seeds per hole. If you're planting large seeds like cucumbers, melons, or pumpkins, you should only use one seed per hole. However, you can still plant seeds close together and then thin them out once they've established themselves.
All seeds will be viable for one to two years. After two or three years, germination rates will drop for many types of seeds and will eventually fall to zero. So, stocking up on seeds for an “emergency” isn't a good idea because they don't last forever.
The majority of seeds grow most effectively in the dark. Light, which is essential for seedling growth, may actually hinder the germination process. The three primary and necessary conditions for a seed to germinate are water, oxygen, and temperature. Thus, Light is not necessary for a seed to germinate.
Seeds may float because they lack viable embryos or nutrient stores, making them less dense than “good” seeds that sink in water. Or, they may float because they have air pockets inside, which don't always affect seed vigor or viability.
Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid, which inhibits the process of seed germination. Higher concentration of acetic acid may destroy the seed vigor and inhibit the germination of seeds. Overall, vinegar can kill the seeds, the leaf, and possibly the entire plant.
The presence of light tends to inhibit their growth. The light decomposes carbonic acid gas and expels oxygen which leads the seed to harden. These gases are key factors that promote germination. In dark environments, the gases remain undisturbed and germination is favoured.
lycopersicoides and S. sitiens, will not germinate at appreciable rates without bleach treatment. Other stocks often benefit from bleaching, including weak or slow mutants, aneuploids and polyploids, or old seed samples stored under suboptimal conditions. Seed bleaching also helps prevent pathogen transmission.