Potting Medium

• A fine-textured medium is needed for seeds to grow properly. It doesn't clump up easily, so tender sprouts can unfurl and send out roots unhindered. When starting seeds in pots, use sterilized potting soil or a soilless mix so that seeds are not exposed to disease organisms. Vermiculite, perlite and peat moss are all suitable potting mediums. These materials drain well so that seeds are not growing in soggy conditions, which makes them more prone to disease. Outdoors, rake over the soil to break up any large clods and weed the bed thoroughly before planting the seeds.
  
  

Moisture

• Seeds require a moist environment to germinate. If allowed to dry completely, the seed may fail to produce a viable seedling. Water the potting medium or bed until it's evenly moist but not soggy. Overly soggy conditions can cause the seed to rot. Keep the medium moist at all times during germination, but avoid standing water. Once a seed has germinated, allow the surface of the medium to dry slightly before watering again.
  
  

Heat

• Germination temperatures vary widely between seed varieties, but generally a temperature between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit is preferable. Some seeds need slightly cooler temperatures, while others, such as peppers, prefer higher temperatures for germination. Wait until soil temperatures reach the desired level before planting, as the air warms up more quickly than the soil. Indoors you can provide bottom heat to the seed pots from a germination heat mat or by placing the pots on top a refrigerator.
  
  

Light

• Most seeds require no light to sprout, but some varieties, such as petunia or impatiens, only germinate when provided light. Usually seed packets indicate that light is necessary, but any seed that must be sown on the soil surface generally requires light. Provide light by placing the seed pots near a sunny window or place the pots 4 inches beneath a fluorescent grow light. For seeds in which darkness is necessary for germination, light can inhibit germination.
  
  

Special Considerations

• While most seeds require no preparation prior to planting, some plants may require scarification or stratification. These needs are detailed on the seed packet. Scarification cracks the seed coat so seeds can germinate more readily. Either soak seeds in water overnight before sowing, or nick the outer seed coating with a file to scarify it. Stratification involves providing a cold or freezing period prior to germinating in warmer temperatures. Most seeds that require stratification are planted in the garden in fall and provided the cold period over winter. Seeds can also be placed in damp potting medium and refrigerated for the requisite time prior to moving them to a warmer area to sprout.