Seed starting isn't all that hard to do. However, the novice grower and experienced grower alike will agree that practice makes perfect. The following is more of a suggestion, not an  “etched in stone” method on how to start your seeds, we do however urge you to practice several different methods and find what works best for you . The potential loss of a “prize” seed if care is not taken while starting your seeds is greater. It is also possible that even with the utmost care, a seed will not germinate.

I like to file and soak my seed because germination and emergence take place in an 85 degree environment, within two and a half to three and a half days, give or take a day.

File the sides of the seed just until you see the color change (see image), taking care to avoid filing the tip.

The seed is soaked in an equal mixture of tap water and Hydrogen Peroxide (H202)for up to eight hours. This gives the seed an immediate drink of oxygen charged water. It also serves as a mild fungicide. The seed may now be dipped in water and totally coated with your Mycorrhiza Fungi product.

At this point, you have filed your seeds, had them in your solution, soaking for anywhere from 4 to 8 hrs, now comes time for you to decided which course of action you would like to take:

Place them in the pots that you have cut and taped and filled with a mixture of potting soil and the soil from your patch (some believe that this will lead to less shock upon transplant).

Place the seeds in a damp paper towel, inside of a Ziploc bag inside of your germination box, maintaining the 80 -90 degree temp.

Within a few days you will notice the seed crack open and the root begin to emerge, when root is approx., ½ -1 inch long, Place them in the pots that you have cut and taped and filled with your potting mixture.

 I like to use 4 inch peat pots placed in a small plastic greenhouse placed on a propagation mat with a grow light placed above it.

It's the outdoorsman's cooler and a simple heating pad. Try to keep the temp between 80 and 85 degrees. The heating pad was bought at a country auction in a box of junk for a buck. This is fine for the hobby grower.

You can substitute the heating pad for a light with a 40 -60 watt bulb; this will put out enough heat to maintain 80-85 degrees. Keep a thermometer in the container and adjust as needed.

Making the pots empty is the most fun. Peat pots this size are difficult to locate. This pot has a thin plastic film liner. Tools and Materials: Empty half gallon ice cream container, duct tape, a hole punch and cutting tools.

Cut out the bottom. Cut open a side. This moves you closer to making the bottom the top and the top the bottom.

Tape up the side slit with duct tape. Roll back a pull tab at the top. This enables easy open when you are on your knees planting the seedlings.