Seeds are tiny plants in pause. Water wakes them, warmth speeds their enzymes, and oxygen fuels the first root. Light isn't required for most seeds until after they sprout.

Moisture: Keep the seedbed consistently damp—never let it dry out. A single dry-out can pause or kill germination.

Temperature: Most garden seeds germinate best when soil is 60–75°F. If soil is colder, seeds wait; if it's hot and dry, seedlings stress and can fail.

Soil vs. air: Soil warms and cools slower than air. Use soil temperature (not the daily high) to judge timing.

Your one job: keep your seeds wet. Mist lightly and often, cover bare soil with a thin mulch or fabric to reduce evaporation, and shield from wind and strong sun in the first week.

In winter and early spring, cold soil keeps seeds dormant. Heavy rain can move seed and cause patchy stands—wait for milder weather or protect the surface so moisture stays and seeds don't wash away.