Joe, Can you provide more details - controls, types and numbers of seed used? What do you think is the mechanism whereby hard water prevents absorption by seeds? I water all my seeds with hard, alkaline city tap water and have excellent results from many genera and families, not just bulbs. Like many bulbs, California weeds are also adapted to its climate, and many don't germinate in summer even if watered. T > From: plantnut@cox.net > I have experimented growing seeds with tap water and distilled and/or rain water. The difference can be amazing. It is much more difficult for seeds to absorb tap water because of its 'hardness'. > I believe this is the reason that I can water my gardens with tap water all summer with few weeds germinating. With the first rains of fall weeds are germinating everywhere!! Joe, Oceanside, CA