Test If the Seeds Are Good for Planting With a Damp Paper Towel Test
When you plant your garden , you need to be sure not to waste time, energy, and garden space on bad seeds. However, before you go out and buy any new seeds, check what you have with a damp paper towel.
The seeds of all plants have a germination rate that decreases steadily over time, which means that you have a certain window to plant and get the most out of them. If you have seeds left and are not sure if they have gone bad, Trena Heinrich from Food52 offers a wet paper towel test :
Take a paper towel and rinse it with water, then fan it over. Place 3-4 seeds in a paper towel and place in a warm place in your home. I usually use the top of the clothes dryer because it is used very often, but you can use a heating pad set very low.
If you do not see any sprouts within a couple of days, then they can no longer be planted. Some seeds can last for years, so don’t throw anything away until you’ve checked. Most seeds are inexpensive, but you can save time shopping.
How To Know If Your Seeds Are Suitable For Planting | Food52