The recommended soaking time for seeds before planting generally ranges from 6 to 24 hours, depending on the seed size and coat thickness. Smaller seeds with thinner coats typically need about 6 hours, while larger seeds with thicker coats benefit from soaking closer to 24 hours

. Some sources suggest soaking seeds for up to 12-24 hours is sufficient to soften the seed coat and accelerate germination, but soaking should not exceed 24 hours to avoid seed rot or damage to the embryo

. For very large seeds, soaking up to 36 hours may be advised, but this is less common

. Specific soaking times by seed type include:

• Peas, beans, corn, cucumber, squash, pumpkin: 6-24 hours, longer for larger seeds

• Beet seeds: 8-12 hours due to their hard exterior

• Small seeds like mustard or kale: 20-30 minutes if using special soaking solutions like EM-1; otherwise, shorter soaking or none at all

Seeds should be soaked in warm water (not hot) and planted immediately after soaking to maximize germination benefits

. Soaking helps break dormancy by softening the seed coat and leaching germination inhibitors, thus speeding up sprouting by several days

. In summary:

• Soak seeds in warm water for 6 to 24 hours.
• Smaller, thin-coated seeds: about 6 hours or less.
• Larger, thick-coated seeds: up to 24 hours.
• Do not soak more than 24 hours to avoid rot.
• Plant seeds immediately after soaking.

This approach improves germination rates and speeds up seedling emergence for many types of seeds, especially those with tougher seed coats