Wellness voor zaden

Seeds are nature’s tiny miracles – each one holds within it the potential for a complete mature plant. Yet they need the right conditions for this potential to unfold.
Especially with older seeds, sensitive varieties or species with hard seed coats it can be worth taking steps to help the germination process along. Soaking seeds gently before sowing them – whether in milk, a herbal infusion or a natural plant extract – can do just this: it makes the seed coat more permeable, activates enzymes and protects the seedling from pathogens.

Why soak your seeds?

Soaking seeds before sowing them is a simple but very effective method that is used in many traditional cultures. The benefits:

The moisture uptake stimulates the germination process.
Soaking can shorten germination times.
It helps to reduce germs and fungal spores on the seed coat.
Specific additions to the water can even strengthen and protect the seed.

Especially for open-pollinated seeds, which are often lovingly saved then stored for years at a time, this kind of treatment can give them a real freshness reboot.

Soaking seeds in milk

One of the oldest and best-known methods is softening seeds in fresh, untreated milk. This contains natural lactic acid bacteria, enzymes and nutrients that boost germinability and at the same time protect against germs. Seeds that can really benefit from soaking in milk include tomatoes, sweet peppers and squashes in particular.

How to do it: Soften the seeds in lukewarm raw milk for 2–6 hours, then rinse thoroughly in fresh water and sow as normal. Pasteurised milk is less suitable here as many of the valuable microorganisms will have been lost.

Herbal teas to aid germination

Some medicinal herbs can also support germination due to their natural antibacterial, revitalising and growth-promoting effects. Herbal teas can provide an excellent alternative to soaking your seeds in milk. This method is particularly recommended for tender herbs or ornamental plants.

How to do it: Pour boiling water over 1–2 teaspoons of the dried herb, leave to infuse for 10–20 minutes and then allow the water to cool completely. Soak your seeds in the herbal solution for 1-12 hours, depending on the variety, then rinse and sow.

Soaking seeds – an overview

Here’s an overview of the main soaking solutions, covering their effect, the kinds of plants they’re suitable for and the recommended soaking time:

Soaking solution	Effect	Suitable for	Soaking time
Milk (raw)	Stimulates germination, antibacterial due to lactic acid bacteria	Tomatoes, sweet pepper, squashes, aubergine	2–6 hours
Chamomile tea	Antifungal, calming	Tomatoes, lettuce, herbs	6–12 hours
Nettle tea	Energising, mineral-rich	All kinds of vegetables	4–8 hours
Garlic water	Disinfectant, stimulates growth	Cucumbers, squashes, beans	1–2 hours
Honey water (1 teaspoon / glass)	Antibacterial, energising	Herbs, flowers	2–4 hours
Coconut water (pure)	Cytokinins promote cell division	Exotics, seedlings	4–6 hours
Cinnamon infusion	Antifungal, mild germination stimulus	Ornamental plants, herbs	2–6 hours
Algae extract (diluted)	Stimulates germination, strengthens cell structure	Heavy feeders, lettuce, brassicas	1–4 hours

These simple, natural aids can be very effective, especially for older or sensitive seeds. You can experiment for yourself to find out what works best for your favourite varieties and create your personal seed wellness routine.

How to do it: Soaking in milk and herbal infusions, step by step

Fancy giving it a go? Here’s a breakdown of the process for giving your seeds their very own spa treatment – with milk and with a herbal infusion:

Soaking in milk

Use raw milk – ideally fresh and organically produced.
Bring the milk to room temperature (don’t heat it!).
Place the seeds in a dish and pour the milk over them.
Leave to soak for 2–6 hours, depending on variety.
Then rinse the seeds thoroughly with fresh water.
Sow your seeds in the usual way.

Soaking in herbal tea

Pour 200 ml of hot water over 1–2 teaspoons of dried herb (e.g. chamomile, nettle, cinnamon).
Leave to infuse for 10–20 minutes then allow to cool completely.
Place the seeds in the cold herbal infusion.
Leave to soak for 1–12 hours depending on variety.
Then rinse the seeds and sow them.

Tip: Use separate containers for different seed types, so that the active ingredients don’t get mixed up – especially if you’re experimenting with different soaking solutions.

Things to bear in mind

Not all seeds need soaking – very small seeds, in particular, such as thyme and basil, are often sensitive to excess moisture. In these cases it’s best to sow them without soaking first.

Other important points:

Soaking solutions should always be freshly prepared and used straight away if possible.
After soaking, make sure you rinse the seeds thoroughly so no residues remain (which could encourage mould formation).
Follow recommended soaking times for your variety – soaking seeds for too long can damage them.

🌙 Did you know…?

In many traditional gardening cultures seed soaking was timed in accordance with the lunar calendar.
The waxing moon was seen as the very best time for germination and growth.
Many gardeners today still follow these natural rhythms and time their sowings to align with lunar cycles.