How to Germinate Seeds in the Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is a kitchen staple in our house, but did you know that you can even use it to help germinate seeds? Whether you are starting a flower garden or a vegetable garden, this will be your new go-to for germinating seeds. We will share with you the expert step-by-step guide on How to Germinate Seeds in the Instant Pot that works every time!
Germinating Seeds in an Instant Pot
One of my favorite things is gardening. I love growing my own vegetables in the garden and then bringing them inside to cook with. I love growing them from seed, but our growing season is shorter where we live which has always made it a little more difficult to do this until I discovered how easy it is to germinate seeds in the Instant Pot.
What is seed germination?
Seed germination is the first step in growing food from seed. This is the process the seed goes through when it is breaking out of its dormant stage and begins to develop into a seedling.
What do Seeds need to get out of their dormant stage?
The Instant pot works so well for germinating seeds because in order for seeds to get out of dormant sage they need to hit a certain temperature as well as moisture. This happens around 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why does the Instant Pot Work for Germinating Seeds?
The Instant Pot works perfectly for this because the Instant Pot provides a controlled environment similar to a greenhouse helping germinate in the seeds in as little as 24 hours.
What supplies do you need to germinate seeds in the Instant Pot?
You will need a handful of supplies that probably already have on hand when it comes to germinating seeds. They are
- Seeds
- Aluminum Foil
- Spray bottle
- Paper Towels
- Trivet
- Instant Pot with the yogurt button
How to Germinate Seeds in the Instant Pot
- Add a trivet to your instant pot.
- Add in 1 ½ cups of water
- Cut paper towels in half. Dampen with water.
- Lay on top of a piece of aluminum foil.
- Place about 20 seeds on top of the damp paper towel.
- Fold the paper towel over, I folded mine in 3 folds.
- Give a quick spritz of water with a spray bottle. Do not soak, just a quick little spritz.
- Fold tin foil over. You want it to fit on top of your trivet so 3 folds are probably best. I also folded up my ends to fit better.
- You can do a few packets with seeds.
- Lay on top of the trivet in your pot.
- Close the lid.
- Press the Yogurt button and press Start.
- Check after 24 hours to see if germination has started. If not, restart the yogurt setting. (double check that there is enough water still, add additional water if needed)
- Mine took about 60 hours in total.
What do I do after germination?
The first thing you want to do is expose your germinated seeds to 12 to 16 hours of light each day after they germinate. You can do this with a grow light or natural sunlight.
While exposing your seeds to the sunlight it is time to begin the hardening process, which means getting them ready to go plant them outside. This is a gradual process of exposing them to outdoor conditions so they are ready for the outside.
Do this gradually by having them outside for short spurts of time to begin and then add a bit of time each day. Be sure to protect them from harsh weather conditions during this process.
Once the seeds are hardened, they are ready to be planted in the garden.
How to Germinate Seeds in the Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is a kitchen staple in our house, but did you know that you can even use it to help germinate seeds? We will share with you the expert step-by-step guide on How to Germinate Seeds in the Instant Pot that works every time!
Ingredients
- Seeds
- Aluminum Foil
- Spray bottle
- Paper Towels
- Trivet
- Instant Pot with the yogurt button
Instructions
- Add a trivet to your instant pot.
- Add in 1 ½ cups of water
- Cut paper towels in half. Dampen with water.
- Lay on top of a piece of aluminum foil.
- Place about 20 seeds on top of the damp paper towel.
- Fold the paper towel over, I folded mine in 3 fold.
- Give a quick spritz of water with a spray bottle. Do not soak, just a quick little spritz.
- Fold tin foil over. You want it to fit on top of your trivet so 3 fold is probably best.
- You can do a few packets with seeds.
- Lay on top of the trivet in your pot.
- Close the lid.
- Press the Yogurt button and press Start.
- Check after 24 hours to see if germination has started. If not, restart the yogurt setting.
- Mine took about 60 hours in total.
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
