As with nearly all the Fabaceae, a small nick and cut with a sharp razor does the trick. Bring it indoors in October. Andrew San Diego >Is it a mistake to germinate them mid-summer? >(will they mature enough to overwinter? or would i bring the pots >indoors and grow under lights?) Dear Dennis, I don't think you have a chance to grow this outdoors where you live, but they make OK potted plants for wintering indoors or a GH. I bet they germinate in a VERY short time if scarified enough to expose the endosperm. Good luck. Jim -- Dr. James W. Waddick