Seed Starter's Guide
Seeds that need light to germinate: Alyssum, Begonia, Coleus, Columbine, Dill, Fuchsia, Glozinia, Impatiens, Lettuce, Oriental Poppy, Petunia, Salvia, Savory, Shasta Daisy, Snapdragon, Strawflower, Yarrow.
Seeds that need light to germinate should be sprinkled on the soil surface, misted with water, and exposed to sunlight or fluorescent light without a soil cover.
Seeds that need darkness to germinate: Bachelor's Button, Borage, Coriander, Delphinium, Fennel, Larkspur, Phlox, Poppy (except oriental varieties), Statice, Sweet Pea, Viola (including Pansy).
If seeds are very fine (as in poppy or viola seeds), sprinkle them on the soil surface, mist the soil with water, and keep the damp flats in a dark closet until germination is evident. For larger seeds, simply make sure the seed is covered with soil to ensure darkness.
Seeds that require soaking before sowing: Asparagus, Lupine, Morning Glory, Okra, Parsley, Parsnip, Sweet Pea.
Seeds that need cold treatment to germinate: Allium, Bleeding-Heart, Columbine, Daylily, Iris, Lavender, Lily (some species), Monkshood, Perennial Phlox, Primula, Viola (including Pansy).
Cold treatment (called stratification) involves placing the seeds in a refrigerator or freezer for a period of time ranging from days to weeks. Seeds break dormancy when they are exposed to room temperature following stratification. The time and temperature of stratification changes with the variety of seed you plant.
(Source: Rodale's Good Times Almanac)