Before Planting: Thoroughly moisten Vermiculite by spraying it and/or soaking it. To soak Vermiculite: Nest your Growing Tray inside your Drip Tray. Fill your Growing Tray 1/4 - 3/4 full with Vermiculite. (Vermiculite holds water exceedingly well, so you can get by with much less of it. Having more of it in our Heavy Duty Planting Tray will cause less of it to fall through the holes in that tray. Work with it to determine what is best for you. I usually fill the Tray, 1/2 way.) Spray the Vermiculite. When starts to float you have more than enough water (you can stop sooner - and you will, as you gain experience). Let it sit for a couple minutes (it can not sit too long). Gently lift the Growing Tray out of the Drip Tray, while at very close proximity to your sink, or other water receptacle (if growing inside). Set the Tray in your sink. Empty the Drip Tray. Put the Growing Tray back into the Drip Tray. You may - as you empty the Drip Tray - use a strainer to capture any escaped Vermiculite, and return it to the Growing Tray, if you like.