Like every reputable seed company, Baker Creek conducts germination testing on its seeds in accordance with the Federal Seed Act.
“Baker Creek understands the importance of seed germination. It sets the foundation of a bountiful harvest garden. Our quality control team works hard to make sure that only the highest quality seeds can be offered to customers,” said Xu Chen, a Certified Viability Technologist and the leader of Baker Creek’s germination team.
Germination tests are conducted in greenhouses on the Baker Creek farm and at a seed lab certified by the Association of Seed Analysts (AOSA). The team follows AOSA rules and standards for seed testing.
While some companies use chemical solutions (osmopriming) to improve germination, Baker Creek does it the old-fashioned way, by using only water and organic material to conduct germination tests.
“We’re testing seeds in an environment similar to home gardeners,” said Sharon Vlietstra, Quality Control specialist at Baker Creek. “These are seeds as nature intended.”
The Federal Seed Act requires companies to test all lots of seeds regularly and record the findings. Baker Creek tests every seed lot twice a year, which is more often than the federal minimum. (We also grow every variety we sell every year at our trial farm. That is more than 1,300 varieties!)
All seed lots are also inspected upon arrival. Team members look for debris, damaged seeds, bugs, and moisture, and they also plant seeds for germination testing.
“We evaluate the sprouts, give it a count – do the math – how many sprouted out of how many started, Sharon said. “If it doesn’t pass, we give it another test.”
Read our blog post with tips on seed starting!
Different crops have different minimum germination rates. For example, the minimum for watermelons is 70 percent; for beans and tomatoes it is 75 percent. Baker Creek has set its minimum germination standard slightly higher than the required minimum. Additionally, we now conduct soil germination tests for every variety we sell.
We try our best to avoid selling seeds with below-standard germination, but sometimes it is unavoidable. In that case, the packets are overpacked and clearly labeled “overpacked due to low germ.”
Heirloom varieties sometimes take longer to germinate than hybrids, because natural dormancy is part of the evolution of the seeds, so patience is required. It also behooves gardeners to learn about the dormancy of different crops, particularly flowers and herbs.
Upon arrival, seeds are immediately placed in cold, climate-controlled storage where they remain through the germination testing process. Seeds also remain in cold storage until they are packed for sale.
Germination is highly variable depending on growing conditions such as temperature and exposure to light.
Baker Creek offers a two-year, no-questions-asked replacement policy for seeds that don’t germinate.
Key Takeaways
- Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. tests the germination rates of its seed lots twice a year -- more than the federal minimum standard.
- Seed germination is tested under similar conditions to that of a home gardener.
- Baker Creek works with a top lab to evaluate and verify results.
- Baker Creek offers a two-year replacement policy on any seeds that do not germinate -- no questions asked.
About the Author
Michelle Johnson is an award-winning writer and editor and Baker Creek's unofficial seed historian.
