Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) seeds were scarified with an 18 N H2S04 solution, then primed for one week at 10De in PEG- 6000, NaCl or natural sea water. Germination tests were carried out at 30De, which is normally inhibitory for spinach seed germination. The germination rate of scarified seeds was higher than the untreated ones. Four successive use of the acid solution did not reduce its scarifying potential; the most suitable soaking time depended on seed size. When seeds were dehydrated and stored for 10 months after scarification and NaCI priming, more than 80% germinated at 30De. Sea water, which is also effective as a priming agent, could replace either PEG - 6000 or NaCl. The priming method developed in this study may be useful especially at high temperatures in summer.