Standard Operating Procedure

Choosing the Right Tree: A Thoughtful Beginning

Let’s start with a simple truth: not every seed you plant will grow. That’s just part of the process. So, let’s release that expectation from the outset.

The first and most important step is selecting the type of tree you want to plant. But this isn’t just a matter of preference. It will require thoughtful consideration.

Ask yourself:

Is the species invasive?
Will it thrive in your USDA Growing Zone? (Jackson Earth is 8b)
Do you have sufficient water to support it long-term?

At Jackson Earth, we’ve conducted extensive research and identified 28 tree species that should perform well in our Zone. But our list is dynamic, shaped by ongoing learning and ecological discernment.

For instance, we initially considered the Jujube tree. It checked several boxes: drought-tolerant, food-producing, and zone-compatible. However, its invasive tendencies ultimately disqualified it. Despite its benefits, it competes aggressively for resources, undermining the health of surrounding plant life.

Restoration isn’t just about planting; it’s about choosing wisely, with the ecosystem and future generations in mind.

Seed PREPARATION Steps

Preparing Seeds with Care and Intention

When it comes to water, choose wisely. Rainwater or filtered water is ideal, free from chlorine, fluoride, and other contaminants often found in municipal sources. Avoid city water if you can.

Water & Hydrogen Peroxide Dilution for Seed Preparation

STEP 2

To prepare your soaking solution, use a one-gallon container and add hydrogen peroxide at a 1% concentration. That means you'll need approximately 1.3 ounces of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water. So, add 1.5 tablespoons of Hydrogen peroxide to your gallon

Quick reference:

1 gallon = 128 fluid ounces
1% of 128 oz = 1.28 oz (rounded to 1.3 oz for ease)

This gentle dilution helps oxygenate the water and reduce potential pathogens, supporting your seeds as they begin their journey toward life.

Scarification Seeds:

Step 3

In nature, time, weather, and wild creatures wear down the hard outer shell of seeds. There are several ways to scarify, each with its own rhythm and care:

Mechanical Scarification: Use sandpaper, a nail file, or a knife to gently nick or rub the seed coat. We use a small Dremel sanding cone. Sanding the seed until the shell interior is nearly breached.

You’re not trying to break the seed just thin the surface enough for water to enter and soak in . Hot water can also be used. See Step 4

Float Test

Step 4

Once you’ve selected and scarified your seeds, the next step is soaking. Use the water from Step 2. In a dish, bowl, or another shallow container. This simple act begins the awakening process. Place your seeds gently into the water and observe for 24 to 48 hours.

As a general rule, seeds that float are less likely to germinate. When soaking your seeds, gently remove the floaters to avoid mixing them with those that sink. Set the floating seeds aside for later this could be a teaching moment.

Ethelyne Gas

Step 5

Place the seeds in a container. Add several Bananas or Apples to a sealed container. Allow the seeds to take in natural ethylene gas for 24 to 48 hours.

That’s not just for aesthetics, it’s science.

When you buy groceries, be mindful of how you store them. Bananas release ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone that accelerates ripening. If bananas sit too close to other produce, especially ethylene-sensitive items like avocados, tomatoes, or greens, they trigger premature ripening or spoilage.

Additional information is slowly being added to this SOP. For now, you will have enough to cover your seeds before planting.

Review of Steps and Purpose: Thoughtful Preparation Leads to Resilient Growth

Take time to carefully consider steps one through five. These simple yet intentional actions can significantly improve your success rate, not just in germination, but in long-term growth and hardiness.

No one wants to spend weeks watching for a sprout that will never emerge. Anyone planting a tree carries within them a quiet hope: not just to see it grow, but to see it survive.

In our desert climate, every advantage matters.

That’s why we conducted our seed preparation experiment with care. While a few seeds were left untreated, the majority were soaked in a hydrogen peroxide solution and exposed to ethylene gas. We didn’t do this out of habit but to learn.

And what we’ve found is promising: strong evidence suggests that these treatments increase survival rates in harsh conditions. The hydrogen solution helps oxygenate and cleanse the seed, while ethylene exposure mimics natural ripening cues, nudging the seed toward readiness.

Seeds treated with ethylene gas showed a remarkable head start, sprouting nearly a full week earlier than their untreated counterparts. But the difference didn’t stop there. By day 95, our first treated trees reached an average height of 30 inches. Their foliage was noticeably fuller, with growth measuring approximately 30% greater than the control group. When placed side by side with untreated seedlings, the contrast in size, vitality, and overall health was striking.

Attempting to grow without first testing seed viability, skipping scarification, or neglecting treatment may seem like a shortcut—but it often leads to wasted time and quiet disappointment.

Yes, these steps require a bit more preparation. But that extra care is an investment. It increases your chances of germination, strengthens resilience, and ultimately saves time down the road. It also gives your trees a fighting chance. Remember, some of your trees could live well beyond your lifetime.

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