Germination

• Cress seeds are easily germinated on a moist surface.germination of cress image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
  
  Germination is the sprouting or awakening from dormancy of a seed. Seeds that do not germinate will not put forth roots to gather nourishment and water, and a plant will not grow from the seed.
  
  

Marigold Seeds

• Marigold seeds germinate easily when conditions are right.marigold details image by tomcat2170 from Fotolia.com
  
  Some flower seeds germinate easily, like the marigold. As its bloom fades and seeds are produced in place of the bloom, the stem becomes brittle and dry and the seeds fall to the surrounding ground. Marigold seeds that reach the soil will germinate and sprout new marigold plants within a week if conditions of moisture, light and temperature are favorable.
  
  

Breaking Dormancy

• Stratify at temperatures around 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.thermometer image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
  
  Other seeds need to be frozen, burnt, cut, or broken down by bacteria in their natural environment to start the germination process. You can bring seeds out of their dormancy and encourage germination by scarification -- breaking or scratching the hard outer layers of the seed, or stratification -- leaving the seeds in a very cold, moist, sealed environment such as in a Ziploc baggy in a refrigerator for 10 to 12 weeks.