Seed Planting Instructions – Vegetables, Flowers and Sprouting Seeds

Seed Planting Instructions – We used to mail out seed planting instructions, nicely printed in color, with each seed order; however, lately, we’ve been doing everything we can to cut costs so that we do not have to pass along to you the rise in prices due to higher fuel and commodity costs. One way we’ve been able to do this is to stop shipping physical seed planting instructions with our seeds and to direct you, via the product label, to this Seed Planting Instructions page.

If you ever get a shipment of seeds that does not have the planting instructions listed here, please use the Contact Us page to let us know, and we’ll email them to you or get them posted here.

Some of our seeds, like the Rainbow Bean Mix, utilize general sprouting instructions – the same with most of our sprouting mixes. The only mix you need to be careful with are the ones that contain gelatinous seeds, such as arugula and cress. Gelatinous seeds cannot be sprouted in the traditional sprouting jar/water method because they are gelatinous, a fancy word for “jelly.” Too much water, and you’ll have a gooey mess on your hands with gelatinous seeds.

Gelatinous seeds form a gel-like substance when soaked in water and are fascinating as they touch upon unique botanical characteristics. These seeds are often used in sprouting but require special methods due to their mucilaginous coating. Here’s a list of some common gelatinous seeds:

1. **chia seeds (Salvia hispanica)** – Well-known for their high nutritional value, chia seeds develop a thick gelatinous coating when soaked.

2. **Flaxseeds (Linum usitatissimum)** – Besides their health benefits, flaxseeds become gelatinous upon soaking, making them a popular ingredient in health foods.

3. **Basil Seeds (Ocimum basilicum)** – Similar to chia, basil seeds swell and form a gel-like layer when immersed in water.

4. **Psyllium Seeds (Plantago ovata)** – Known for their use in fiber supplements, these seeds have a highly mucilaginous coating.

5. **Cress Seeds (Lepidium sativum)** – Often used in sprouting, these tiny seeds develop a gelatinous sheath when wet.

6. **mustard seeds (Brassica spp.)** – While known for their culinary uses, some mustard seeds also exhibit gelatinous properties when soaked.

7. **Arugula Seeds (Eruca vesicaria)** – These seeds, when sprouted, produce a mucilage coating, similar to other gelatinous seeds.

8. **Fenugreek Seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum)** – Popular in cuisine and natural remedies, they turn slimy and gelatinous when soaked.

9. **Perilla Seeds (Perilla frutescens)** – Common in Asian cuisine, they develop a mucilaginous exterior upon soaking.

10. **Purslane Seeds (Portulaca oleracea)** – Though less commonly sprouted, these seeds also form a gel-like layer when in contact with water.

This unique characteristic of gelatinous seeds plays a vital role in the way they absorb water and nutrients, and in how they are used in both culinary and gardening practices.

Here are specific instructions for any gelatinous seed, or any mix that contains a gelatinous seed:

Growing Instructions:

1. **Soaking:** Soak the microgreen seeds in water for 6-8 hours or overnight.

2. **Planting:** Sprinkle the soaked seeds evenly on a shallow container filled with potting soil. Press them gently into the soil’s surface.

3. **Watering:** Mist the seeds with water and cover the container with a clear lid or plastic wrap. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged.

4. **Germination:** Place the container in a well-lit area, preferably with indirect sunlight. The microgreens will germinate in 3-4 days.

5. **Harvesting:** Once the microgreens reach a height of 2-3 inches and have developed their first true leaves, they are ready to harvest. Use scissors to cut them just above the soil line.

Seed Planting Instructions – Easy-to-Use PDF Files

We want to thank our loyal customers for your patience and understanding while we transition from printed seed-planting instructions to web-based seed planting instructions.

SEED PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS (Click to open PDF File in new window – Adobe Acrobat Reader (free program) Required for viewing): We hope you’ve enjoyed our collection of Seed Planting Instructions. This page is continually updated as we get around to posting additional Seed Planting Instructions.

*****Hey guys! As a GENERAL rule of thumb, do NOT put your seeds in your freezer. Freezing seeds (which are live little creatures), will harm germination. There are some exceptions (like wheat seed, which, when properly vacuumed and sealed, will last 30 years), but in general, unless you know what you are doing, do NOT freeze your seeds.*****

*Flower Instructions

Seed Planting Instructions – Vegetables, Flowers and Sprouting Seeds

**Growing Instructions:**

Seed Planting Instructions – Easy-to-Use PDF Files

Growing Instructions: