I am new to gardening and to this site. That is a question I have, too. Looking forward to reading the answer.

Ycan use nail clippers to barely pinch through an edge of the seed - or you can use an emery board to sand it - just enough to break through the hard casing on the seed.

I used to nick the seeds of morning glories but switched to this method:

Wet a double-layer paper towel and sprinkle your seeds on half. Fold over to cover the seeds and slip inside a zip-lock bag. Let sit overnight or a couple of days and check. When you see the seeds beginning to open, just plant at the proper depth and water in well.

I just drop the seeds in a short container, put a couple of inches of hot water over 'em. When the water cools put them in a small zip lock bag for a few days.

I forgot a bag of 'em & when I spotted them in the potting shed they looked awful! Some had small sprouts & water was nearly black & kinda' slimey looking, but since I had on gloves I planted them anyway. Best plants I've ever had & they are blooming already.

I'm still very confused about this. When one "Nicks" a seed, how deep should you go? Just the casing, or if you nick too far will it kill the seed? On Brugmansia seeds, they have a cork outer covering. Should I just nick the seed or remove the whole cork covering?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Go to Google and click on ''more'', usually up at the top and then find ''video'' and enter ~ methods of scarification of seed ~ .

If you just want to read about it just go to Google and search ~ methods of scarification of seed ~. One ghit Scarification is brief and not to academic.

As for how much to snip you might play with some pinto or brown beans from the supermarket.