Should I soak beet seeds before planting?

Soaking beet seeds changes your planting experience. I figured that out after many seasons of bad germination rates. Dry seeds will take weeks to germinate, while seeds soaked in water will germinate fairly quickly. Simply soaking seeds can help you grow a thriving beet patch from one season to the next.

Observe for seed swelling as your guide. Healthy seeds noticeably plump up in a few hours. Discard any seeds that float immediately-those seedlings will not germinate. I use a glass jar to monitor the transformation. With the right soaking, you will have faster and stronger seedlings.

Adjust the soaking time according to your local climate. Cool areas are the ones truly benefiting from a full 24-hour soak. Warm areas should be reduced to 12 hours to prevent over-saturation. My Alaska friend lives by the overnight soak, and my Arizona cousin follows the midday soak.

Common soaking mistakes include hot water. Temperatures of 85°F and over harm the embryos. Always triple-check that you're using a thermometer. Don't let seeds clump together; stir them occasionally to keep them evenly soaked. To promote a little abrasion, I add a dusting of sand to the mix. Abrasion helps the seeds absorb water faster.

Soak seeds and plant them at the right depth. Never soak seeds more than 0.5 inch deep. To maintain moisture, cover the soaked seeds with an even layer of vermiculite. My best beds receive morning sun, which warms the soil and encourages the seeds to sprout even more rapidly.

Read the full article: How to Grow Beets from Seed Perfectly