I’m a gardening expert - here’s my simple trick to help seeds germinate

As spring approaches, there’s much to be done in the garden including sowing seeds - an easy, cost-effective, fun and rewarding way to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables. 

To get started, Angharad James product manager at Maxicrop, shares her secret to success - soaking your seeds before planting.

Why does soaking seeds help?

Soaking seeds before sowing is beneficial in two ways. Seeds often have a hard outer layer that protects the embryo from harsh conditions but can also hinder germination by preventing water absorption. Soaking softens this coat, making it easier for water to penetrate and initiate germination. It can also help leach out natural chemicals that inhibit germination. By softening the seed coat and removing inhibitors, it can increase the percentage of seeds that successfully germinate.

Which seeds benefit from soaking? 

Larger seeds like beans, peas, squash, and cucumbers, often benefit from soaking, as well as seeds with thick coats such as some woody plants and native perennials. Seeds with long germination times like carrots can also benefit.

Which seeds may not benefit from soaking?

Tiny seeds like lettuce can become difficult to handle when soaked and can clump together and seeds with slimy membranes, like tomato or pumpkin seeds, can make it difficult to sow after soaking. 

How to soak seeds?

Soaking seeds is as easy as it sounds! Simply take a clean jar or bowl, fill the container with warm water, and add your seeds. Leave them to soak in the fridge for 12 to 24 (hours depending on the type of seed) this process is known as stratifying and mimics the natural dormancy period. For an extra boost, we recommend adding Maxicrop® All Purpose Plant Growth Stimulant to the water. Made from Arctic-grown seaweed extract, Maxicrop® All Purpose Plant Growth Stimulant is crafted to help plants grow strong and healthy from seed to full bloom. Maxicrop’s unique seaweed formulation boosts root development, promotes nutrient uptake, and enhances plants' ability to withstand environmental stress, including challenging conditions like drought. It’s an ideal choice for all types of plants, from beautiful flowers and shrubs to bountiful fruits and vegetables. This versatile product brings out the natural vigour in the garden, helping seedlings emerge stronger, easing the transition for transplanted plants, and building resilience across the growing season. Just make sure you dose at the lowest rate advised on the pack, as using a higher rate could reduce germination percentage, and use a biostimulant, rather than a fertiliser or food, as the NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) can also actually hinder germination rates. Sow the seeds immediately after soaking, as they can start to rot if left in water for too long. 

For more expert gardening advice and information about Maxicrop, visit www.seezon.co.uk 

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Editors notes

Maxicrop® has been a trusted name in gardening for over 80 years, known and loved for its premium organic seaweed-based products that support plant growth and resilience.

Sustainably sourced from the pristine waters off the Norwegian coast, Maxicrop’s seaweed extract is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, offering a natural bio-stimulant to develop strong plant cells and boost root growth, while building resistance to disease, drought and cold.

Its hero product, the popular All Purpose Growth Stimulant, is a pure bio-stimulant with an enriched formula designed to enhance root development, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance in plants.

The wider range features products that carefully combine this high-quality, highly concentrated seaweed base with Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium to provide complete care for a variety of garden needs, including Vegetable Growth Stimulant and Feed, Tomato Growth Stimulant and Feed, Growth Stimulant and Sequestered Iron, and Moss Killer and Lawn Tonic.

Certified organic by the Soil Association, Maxicrop provides eco-conscious gardeners with effective, sustainable solutions for healthy, thriving plants.