get Gourmet Mc Cormick from the grocery store(cost more but never had them not germ) and lowes or walmart for hens and chicks and peony. to test germ rate for Mc Corm put a small batch sprinkled on dirt into the fridge for a few days seed should turn like a brown color. then pull them out and put in a sunny window and they should warm up and sprout. they do require cold to bring them out of dormancy that's why some overwinter them while others plant in feb. around the 14th or so.