How to Test Seed on Pleated Paper

Gardeners can test last year's leftover seeds before planting them in the garden to make sure they are still viable and healthy. Giving a few of the seeds a simple germination test--sometimes called a rag doll test-- to see if they sprout will save time and heartache by preventing dead seeds from being planted. If the seeds have a 70 percent germination rate (meaning seven of 10 seeds sprouted), you can plant the old seeds with confidence that they will grow into plants.

Seeds
Paper coffee filters
Plastic zip lock bag
Water mister
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Open a paper coffee filter and dampen with water from the mist sprayer. The paper should be damp, not dripping wet. Fold the filter with accordion pleats.
- 2
  Place 10 seeds inside the folds of paper, allowing ample space between seeds. Refold paper filter if necessary.
- 3
  Place coffee filter with seeds inside a zip lock plastic bag and seal. Keep the bag someplace warm, like on top of a water heater. The seeds should stay about 70 to 80 degrees during the test.
- 4
  Check the seeds after a day or two to see if they have sprouted. It should take no more than 10 days to germinate the seeds, so if they haven't sprouted by that time, the seeds are dead.
- 5
  If fewer than seven of the 10 seeds sprout, you can still plant the seeds, but you'll want to over plant them (use more than you normally would plant). If less than four of the seeds have sprouted the seeds should be discarded.

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