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Phone: 314-849-6114
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The Tom Terrific Company LLC
Cold Stratification |
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Some seeds are harder to germinate and need what is called “cold stratification.” This means they need winter-like conditions to germinate well. I’ve tried keeping seeds in the refrigerator and even the freezer, but with limited success. The method I’m using now is called the “Clinebell Method” which is really just the name of a fellow gardener and nursery owner (Richard Clinebell), who has “cold stratification” mastered.
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| He uses a potting mix of two parts of “Miracle Grow Indoor Potting Mix with Fertilizer,” or something similar. Buy the good stuff. He then adds one part sand. Plant perennial seeds in late fall outside in containers and water them on sunny days as they dry out. He also puts wire screens over the new seeds to keep out rabbits and birds and the screens help to break up heavy rains. When the seedlings sprout and grow larger in the spring, he transplants them directly to the outside garden soil. The method does work as Richard sells hundreds of new plants every year through his Grace Hill Native Plant Nursery. |  |
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| How do you know if a plants’ seeds need cold stratification? In general, annuals don’t need cold stratification, while many perennials and most native plants do need this cold period. If you’re not sure, save seed both ways and see which works best. | |
Tip - Two months before you would expect to see seedlings starting to sprout, bring your flats inside, water and warm them up and you'll give them a two month head start.
Also check the USDA website which is a great database for plants. |
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