Urban Farmer Learning Center

Germination Codes, Decoded

Turn the letter codes on your seed information into a clear treatment plan—from soaking and scarification to cold stratification and surface sowing.

Decode your codeBrowse A–Q

Read before treating

The code is a sequence—not a difficulty rating

Each letter identifies a preparation method. When codes are combined, complete treatments in the order shown, then follow the product-specific planting depth and temperature.

1

Find the code

Check the product information, seed packet, or growing guide for one or more assigned codes.

2

Read left to right

For H-B-C30, scarify first, soak second, and cold-stratify for 30 days last.

3

Label everything

Record the crop, treatment, start date, and expected finish date on every bag or tray.

4

Watch the seed

Plant promptly if seed begins sprouting before the scheduled treatment is complete.

Interactive treatment planner

Enter your germination code

Use hyphens between treatments. Examples: B-C60, H-B-C30, D-C60, O-C90, E-D, or I-A.

Build the sequence

Codes are interpreted from left to right. C30, C60, and C90 include their chilling duration.

Your treatment plan

Enter a code to see the steps in order.

Complete reference

Every Urban Farmer germination code

Open a card for the purpose and procedure. Product-specific directions take priority when they differ.

ANo Pretreatment Required

Sow under the variety’s recommended temperature, light, depth, and moisture conditions.

  1. Fill with clean, moist seed-starting mix.
  2. Sow at the listed depth.
  3. Keep evenly moist, not saturated.
  4. Maintain the recommended temperature.
  5. Provide light after emergence.
BWarm-Water Soak

Softens the seed coat and improves water absorption before sowing or the next treatment.

  1. Cover seed with room-temperature or slightly warm water.
  2. Soak 12–24 hours.
  3. Drain thoroughly.
  4. Sow immediately or begin the next assigned treatment.
C30Cold, Moist Stratification — 30 Days

Imitates a short winter period at approximately 34–40°F.

  1. Mix seed with clean, damp sand, vermiculite, or milled sphagnum.
  2. Seal and label with species, start date, and completion date.
  3. Refrigerate; do not freeze.
  4. Check for mold, drying, excess water, and early germination.
  5. Sow after 30 days or when significant sprouting begins.
C60Cold, Moist Stratification — 60 Days

Imitates a moderate winter period at approximately 34–40°F.

  1. Prepare and label damp stratification medium.
  2. Refrigerate; do not freeze.
  3. Monitor regularly.
  4. Sow after 60 days or when significant sprouting begins.
C90Cold, Moist Stratification — 90 Days

Imitates a long winter period at approximately 34–40°F.

  1. Prepare and label damp stratification medium.
  2. Refrigerate; do not freeze.
  3. Monitor regularly.
  4. Sow after 90 days or when significant sprouting begins.
DSurface Sow

For very small or light-dependent seed that should not be buried.

  1. Level and moisten the growing medium.
  2. Scatter seed evenly on the surface.
  3. Press gently for firm contact; do not cover.
  4. Mist or bottom-water carefully.
  5. Do not let the surface dry during germination.
EWarm, Moist Then Cold, Moist

Allows embryo development in warmth before a cold dormancy-breaking period.

  1. Mix seed with clean, damp medium.
  2. Hold at 68–80°F for the specified warm period, often 60–90 days.
  3. Move to 34–40°F for the specified cold period, often 60–90 days.
  4. Monitor moisture and mold throughout.
  5. Sow immediately after treatment.
FCold, Warm, Cold Stratification

For deep or double dormancy requiring three sequential moist periods.

  1. Cold: refrigerate 60–90 days.
  2. Warm: hold at 68–80°F for 60–90 days.
  3. Cold again: refrigerate 60–90 days.
  4. Sow immediately after the final phase.
GCool-Soil Germination

Seed germinates best in cool conditions.

  1. Sow in late fall, early spring, or at the listed soil temperature.
  2. Avoid prolonged heat during germination.
  3. Keep the seedbed evenly moist.
  4. Protect emerging seedlings from extreme heat.
HMechanical Scarification

Lightly scratches a hard coat so water can enter.

  1. Rub gently between medium or fine sandpaper, or nick carefully with a file.
  2. Stop when the outer coat is abraded; do not injure the embryo.
  3. Soak 12–24 hours when directed.
  4. Sow immediately or begin stratification.
ILegume Inoculation Recommended

Adds a compatible rhizobium inoculant to support nitrogen fixation.

  1. Confirm the inoculant matches the crop.
  2. Lightly moisten seed.
  3. Coat according to the inoculant label.
  4. Keep shaded and cool.
  5. Plant promptly.
JDehulled or Cleaned Seed

The hull, husk, or outer structure was removed before sale.

  1. No hull-removal treatment is needed.
  2. Follow any other code assigned to the variety.
KHost Plant Required

Parasitic or hemiparasitic seed must establish near a suitable host.

  1. Establish or identify the recommended host.
  2. Sow close to the host root zone.
  3. Keep host and seed evenly moist.
  4. Control aggressive weeds.
LSow Fresh or Keep Moist

Seed may lose viability if it dries.

  1. Sow promptly after receiving or harvesting.
  2. Do not allow drying unless variety directions permit it.
  3. Store temporarily in a moist, cool environment.
  4. Monitor for mold or premature germination.
MFall Sow Recommended

Natural winter temperature and moisture changes provide dormancy treatment.

  1. Prepare a weed-free seedbed.
  2. Sow after temperatures cool.
  3. Use the recommended depth and press small seed firmly.
  4. Mark the planting area.
  5. Allow winter conditions to complete treatment.
NNick Seed Coat

Creates one small opening in an impermeable coat.

  1. Work opposite the embryo or growing point.
  2. Use a file, knife, or nail clipper to make a tiny nick.
  3. Stop when the lighter inner layer appears.
  4. Do not cut deeply.
  5. Soak when directed and sow promptly.
OHot-Water Scarification

Weakens a hard, water-resistant coat.

  1. Put seed in a heat-safe disposable container.
  2. Remove nearly boiling water from heat.
  3. Pour about four times the seed volume over the seed.
  4. Cool and soak together for 12–24 hours.
  5. Sow swollen seed immediately.
PSow Under Cover

Maintains humidity in a covered tray, dome, clear bag, or greenhouse.

  1. Use clean containers and sterile, moist mix.
  2. Sow evenly without crowding.
  3. Cover and place in bright indirect light.
  4. Bottom-water and remove standing water.
  5. After emergence, vent gradually over roughly 2–3 weeks.
QGermination Information Limited

Treatment information is limited, inconsistent, or under evaluation.

  1. Divide seed into small test groups.
  2. Try untreated sowing, cold stratification, and fall sowing.
  3. Record temperature, duration, and results.
  4. Do not apply an aggressive treatment to the entire lot.

Treatment families

Understand the purpose behind the code

Moisture & seed coatB, H, N, and O help water pass through resistant seed coats.
Seasonal dormancyC30, C60, C90, E, F, and M imitate winter or changing seasons.
Sowing environmentA, D, G, and P define depth, temperature, or protected conditions.
Special biologyI, J, K, L, and Q address inoculation, processing, hosts, storage, or uncertainty.

Cold-treatment essentials

Stratify safely and consistently

34–40°FRecommended refrigerator range. Keep seed moist but never standing in water, and do not freeze.
Damp, not soggyFine sand, vermiculite, milled sphagnum, coffee filters, or paper towels can hold moisture.
Check regularlyLook for mold, drying, standing water, damage, and early roots. Sow promptly when treatment ends.

Natural outdoor alternative

Late-fall or winter sowing can supply natural cold and moisture. Avoid giving seed a full artificial treatment and then another unnecessary winter unless the species requires multiple cycles.

General procedures

Protect viability from storage through sowing

Store dry seed well

Keep it cool, dry, and protected from temperature swings, humidity, insects, and rodents. Refrigerate airtight containers when appropriate.

Use the listed depth

Surface sow tiny or light-sensitive seed. Otherwise, use product-specific depth and avoid burying small seed too deeply.

Balance moisture

Keep germinating and stratifying seed consistently moist without standing water. Mist or bottom-water small seed.

Finish once hydrated

After moist treatment begins, complete it and sow promptly. Hydrated seed has a shorter safe storage life.

Continue learning

Use the right guide for the next step

General foundationSeed Starting GuideContainers, mix, light, moisture, timing, and hardening off.Protected startsStarting Seeds IndoorsBuild strong seedlings under controlled conditions.Dormancy mattersNative Seed Learning CenterPlan native establishment and find species-specific guidance.Seed to bloomFlower Growing GuidesFind sowing and care instructions by flower category.Field and gardenCover Crop Learning CenterChoose, sow, and terminate cover crops.Choose what to growShop All SeedsUse each product’s directions with this code reference.

Important notice

Germination treatments are recommendations rather than guarantees. Requirements can differ by species, seed lot, harvest year, storage history, and growing environment. Test uncertain treatments on a small portion of seed first.

Ready to begin?

Decode the treatment, then plant with confidence.

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