About zucchini and other summer squash germinating, I know one avid gardner who soaks the seeds in water at room temperature for 24 hours before planting. Seems to work.

I just ordered asparagus seed because it would have cost about $200 to buy the quantity of root crowns I wanted. Seeds cost $3.49. Instructions say soak for 48 hours before planting, so there may be somthing to the soaking trick.