Tings change with time. Years ago, we just "THREW" seed on the ground, scratched a little and they grew. Now, with most everything being processed, new issues come into ply that were not a concern before.
TO be sure, we have reached the point where we:
Use a little file or sandpaper to remove some of the waxy coating inherent with seeds. You never know HOW OLD THEY ARE. The we make a solution of 30% H2O2 (peroxide) and the rest water or 50/50 milk (milk feeds the seeds if they are old and the sugar store is used up). Soak for 12 to 24 hrs...I do 12
plastic baggie, paper towel and UNBLEACHED COFFEE filter in the middle. Wet the paper towel, let it drip out...not soaking. Place the coffee filter in the middle, place the seeds in the coffee filter, fold over and seal in the plastic bag. Most homes are around 75°f and within 36 hours, they should sprout. By 48, the tails should be .5 to 1 "
If not, your seeds are not QUALITY!. My good seeds pop in 12 hrs after the 12 hr soak. By 36 hrs, they have shed their shell.
The coffee filter prevents the tails / shoot from getting tangled in the paper towel and with most paper towel being BLEACHED these days, there are contaminants (bleach / acid)
Once you plant, dome it for a few days and by 5th or 6th day, they are ready to go
I used to do the minimum but with seeds averaging $10 or better a seed, there is too much JUNK out there. Most breeders / seed house LIE about their quality...That is why the guarantee...they just send MORE seeds...throw enough crap against the walls and something will stick
I now buy from personal breeder friends and cultivate my own seeds