"Your" method is common practice. But yes, it's a great tool to test germination especially with older seed. It's also great to ensure non-empty cells.
Thank you Brent for sharing your thoughts! You got my intent correct, to avoid the guess game of what is happening under the soil. Last year due to some circumstances I was not able to start some of my seedlings on time. I started them 10 days later, and this method gave me the assurance that the seeds have germinated indeed, after which I planted them in seed trays and didn't have to worry.
Over the course of 30 years of gardening and germinating most of my seeds, I've done a lot of my own informal trials to determine what works for me. Germination trials are easy and cheap to set up since seeds and germination mediums are cheap. Also, germination of most seeds doesn't take a lot of time. I've germinated seeds using every method and germination mix that I could imagine ... commercial germination mixes, my own custom mixes, only vermiculite or perlite. and the paper towel/baggie method. My trials showed me that there was no significant advantage of one medium over any other. So, now I use whatever medium I have available (mostly, sieved potting soil). As for the paper towel method, I exclude it because I found that the faster germination time was not worth the extra effort.
Thank you for sharing your vast experience here! I agree, as we do more of something we come up with methods that work best for us and helps us build our preferences. Ever since I started gardening it has been one big experiment from which I learn new stuff every year and by fine tuning it over time when I find something that gives consistent results to me, I like to share it here, hoping it will help someone.
Thank you Mama Tiger Lily! Very kind of you! This planner has helped me every year to plan my garden, and to keep track of progress. I hope you find it useful as well!
Thank you RJL! I appreciate your support, very kind of you! I use this template every year, and it has helped me so much. I hope you find it useful as well!
Whaaaattttt? I am not the one who coined the term 'paper towel method'? Just kidding 😆 I need to work on my tone and add some humor in my speech. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here! I am sure there are many gardeners out there who have more advance tips for this method. Every garden season I learn new things and when something works consistently for me, I share it here. So I shall continue on this journey and keep coining innovative terms (😉) here.
"Your" method is common practice. But yes, it's a great tool to test germination especially with older seed. It's also great to ensure non-empty cells.
Thank you Brent for sharing your thoughts! You got my intent correct, to avoid the guess game of what is happening under the soil. Last year due to some circumstances I was not able to start some of my seedlings on time. I started them 10 days later, and this method gave me the assurance that the seeds have germinated indeed, after which I planted them in seed trays and didn't have to worry.
Over the course of 30 years of gardening and germinating most of my seeds, I've done a lot of my own informal trials to determine what works for me.
Germination trials are easy and cheap to set up since seeds and germination mediums are cheap. Also, germination of most seeds doesn't take a lot of time.
I've germinated seeds using every method and germination mix that I could imagine ... commercial germination mixes, my own custom mixes, only vermiculite or perlite. and the paper towel/baggie method.
My trials showed me that there was no significant advantage of one medium over any other. So, now I use whatever medium I have available (mostly, sieved potting soil). As for the paper towel method, I exclude it because I found that the faster germination time was not worth the extra effort.
Thank you for sharing your vast experience here! I agree, as we do more of something we come up with methods that work best for us and helps us build our preferences. Ever since I started gardening it has been one big experiment from which I learn new stuff every year and by fine tuning it over time when I find something that gives consistent results to me, I like to share it here, hoping it will help someone.
I love that you have made a pdf to plan and track garden chores and produce. Thank you.
I will purchase it.
Thank you Mama Tiger Lily! Very kind of you! This planner has helped me every year to plan my garden, and to keep track of progress. I hope you find it useful as well!
Great video! Thank you! I ordered your tracker. They are great and a great price! Here’s to a great 2024 harvest!
Thank you RJL! I appreciate your support, very kind of you! I use this template every year, and it has helped me so much. I hope you find it useful as well!
Great idea, I'll try it! Thank you!
Thank you Elisabeth! Even I plan to start some seeds today using the same method.
EVERYONE calls it the paper towel method. 🤣 You should watch some videos about growing Cannabis, you'll use their techniques to greater advantage.
Whaaaattttt? I am not the one who coined the term 'paper towel method'? Just kidding 😆 I need to work on my tone and add some humor in my speech. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here! I am sure there are many gardeners out there who have more advance tips for this method. Every garden season I learn new things and when something works consistently for me, I share it here. So I shall continue on this journey and keep coining innovative terms (😉) here.