Many forage species also require special germination-test environments not readily available to growers. Some freshly harvested species require special pre-chill treatments before they will germinate. For the most accurate results, have a reliable evaluation of fresh seed performed by a qualified laboratory.

Growers who want to test carryover seed, not fresh seed, at home may use the following procedure:
1. Wet three paper towels with tap water. Hold the towels by one corner for several seconds to allow excess water to drain.

2. Place two towels together (back to back) and smooth them on a flat surface. Put the third towel to one side.

3. Place 100 seeds on top of the two flat, moist towels, and scatter the seeds evenly so that none is touching.

4. Cover the seeds and towels with the third towel.

5. Gently roll the towels into a tube. The tube should not be too tight, for this will restrict seedling growth.

6. Place the tube in a large, clear plastic bag. Punch a few small holes in the bag to allow some air movement. Put the bag near a window.

Arrange the bag so that the towel tubes are nearly vertical. (This allows the roots to grow downward and makes counting much easier). Do not place in direct sunlight.

Too much sunlight might raise the temperature too high inside the plastic bag. Keep the towels moist, not saturated, throughout the germination period.

7. Take germination counts 7 to 14 days after planting. To be counted as germinated, the seedling should have a strong root and shoot.
Clover and alfalfa may contain dormant hard seeds, which are typically counted as germinated in the test.

To determine if seeds are dormant or dead after the allotted time in the germination towels, press the ungerminated seeds firmly into the towel with your finger. If the seed is hard, not mushy, it should be counted as germinated.

Germination, as determined by this at-home test, is the number of seeds out of the 100 tested that sprouted and had healthy seedlings (including the number of hard seeds). Compare this percentage to the germination percentage on the original seed tag, and plan the seeding rate of the carryover seeds accordingly.  FG