How do I germinate seeds in soil?

Here is a method of germinating seeds that does not resort to paper towels or plastic bags, and the risk of rot these methods bring.

Place seeds in a bowl, and fill the bowl with room temperature tap water.
Cover the bowl with card or newspaper and place in a cupboard overnight (12 - 15 hours).

Saturate the soil in your prepared pots with water, then create a small circular depression in the center of the pot. Place each seed in its own pot, in the center of the depression, pointed tip down. Cover the soil over the seed, so that is no more than 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. Repeat with all seeds.

Leave sown seeds for six hours in darkness, then switch on your lights and leave them on.

The latest time I used this method, I got 100% germination, and seedlings began erupting from the soil within 2 days. All viable seeds should germinate.