How to Germinate Beans With a Paper Towel

For beans to germinate and grow, three basic needs must be met: They must have sufficient water, a growing medium and light. Once a bean is placed in a growing medium -- which can be as simple as a paper towel -- and water is added, the seed will soak up enough liquid to begin to grow, eventually breaking through its shell. Not only is the germination process interesting to watch, it can also lead to higher yields by finding the best seeds to plant.

10 oz or 300 ml clear plastic glass
Roll of paper towels
Plastic wrap
Navy beans
Water
Window or other light source

Instructions

- 1
  Fold and dampen two paper towels. Use them to line the glass. They should be damp enough to stick to the glass.
- 2
  Crumple several other paper towels -- two or three should be sufficient, depending on the thickness of the towels themselves. Place them in the glass; they should be tight enough to hold the lining in place.
- 3
  Add water to the beaker so that it's 2 to 3 cm deep. This water will be gradually wicked up by the paper towels to allow a damp environment. Take several navy beans and place them between the glass and the paper-towel lining, spacing them equally.
- 4
  Cover the glass with plastic wrap and place it near a window or other light source.
- 5
  Keep the towels damp but not dripping; add additional water if necessary. The seeds should sprout within three to five days.
- 6
  Plant the sprouts in a container filled with potting soil or in your garden, ensuring the small leaf is on the top.

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