Use a pair of baby nail clippers to nick the outside seed coat of the astragalus seed. Don't cut into it too deeply; just remove enough of the coat so you can see the white material underneath. Then soak the seed in a bowl of water for 24 hours.
Plant the astragalus seed in its permanent growing location in in the spring, after the last frost in your area. Push the seed into the soil 1/2 inch deep. If you are planting more than one seed, space them 3 inches apart.
Astragalus requires all-day sun and a well-drained soil. If you have heavy or clay soil, incorporate 3 to 4 inches of coarse sand into the planting bed or grow the astragalus in raised beds.