I do the paper towel method. Then i take it when it's just cracking out of the shell and plant the bottom of the seed like a tiny bit into the soil but i still leave it so i can see the seed. I don't put it half and inch or a 1/4 of an inch thats b.s i just make the soil nice and moist and put the seed basically on the top of it but with the part where the root comes out into the soil. It works fine for me.