zones 2 to 4 Sowing Schedule
Can be started in flats in late January if you have the space & lights: Lemongrass, Leeks. Onions, Lavender, Eucalyptus
Start cold stratification on:
Bunchberries, Boneset, Goldenrod, Woodland Sage, Wild Lowbush Blueberry, Bottle Gentian, Liatris, Milkweeds, Lavender, Delphinium, Columbines, Plantain, Sweet Cicely, Wild Yarrows, Strawberries, Maral Root, Pincushion Flower
Can also be started in flats: Luffa, Lisianthus, Artichoke, Foxglove, Columbine, Ginger, Eggplants, Strawberries, Garlic Bulbis,
Start cold stratification on:
Bunchberries, Boneset, Goldenrod, Woodland Sage, Wild Lowbush Blueberry, Bottle Gentian, Liatris, Milkweeds, Lavender, Delphinium, Columbines, Plantain, Sweet Cicely, Wild Yarrows, Strawberries, Maral Root, Pincushion Flower
Can also be started in flats: Lisianthus, Ginger, Garlic Bulbis.
Last chance to winter milk jug sow!
seed starting tips
Seeds That Prefer Darkness To Germinate
Seeds That Prefer Darkness To Germinate
- Sterilize all pots and trays before being re-used to prevent unwanted diseases and pest stowaways
- Water trays or pots from the bottom to prevent washing away tiny seeds. If the top is dry, a fine-mist sprayer works great
- Some seeds need darkness to germinate. Ensure dark-preferring seeds aren't under grow lights
- If you're ever unsure how deep to sow, a good rule of thumb is to plant the seeds at twice the depth of the seeds diameter
- Some seeds need heat to germinate. Some seeds prefer cooler temperatures. Not all seeds enjoy a toasty incubation
- Keep trays and pots from drying out. Most seeds need constant moisture to germinate
- Use a dome to increase humidity. Once seeds have germinated and seedlings emerge from the soil, remove or prop up the dome to let some airflow in, which helps prevent fungus and molds from taking over (dampening off)
- Try to keep fungus gnats from populating trays. (I know, easier said than done!) They carry and spread fungus, bacteria, and molds that may damage seedlings or prevent your seeds from germinating. Using a yellow sticky tape in and around trays can do wonders at trapping fungus gnats and putting a dent in their numbers. (One fungus gnat can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime. Times that by even a handful of gnats and things can quickly get out of hand)
Seeds That Prefer Darkness To Germinate
Seeds That Prefer Darkness To Germinate
Seeds That Prefer Darkness To Germinate
Calendula, Delphinium, Nasturtium, Onions, Sunflowers (large mammoth types)
Seed Sowing Temperature Guide
Seeds That Prefer Darkness To Germinate
Seed Sowing Temperature Guide
Seed viability
You do not have to purchase new seeds every year! If stored properly, seeds can last many years.
The below chart contains estimated dates. While guidelines have tomato longevity at 7 years, there are reports of tomato seeds 40-50 years old found at the bottom of old freezers that have germinated!
A date palm (Pheonix dactylifera) seed recovered from the Ruins of Masada Fortress germinated after lying dormant for nearly 2000 years. Other notable old germinated seeds are 30,000 mustard seeds, 600-year-old canna lily seeds, 200-year-old pincushion flower seeds, and 1300-year-old lotus seeds.
Wet & Cold Stratification basics
Supplies
Seeds, Paper towel, Sharpie, Plastic Bag (or beeswax wraps)
Step 1
Wet paper towel
Step 2
Wring out to the dampness of a sponge. You don't want excess water that will increase the chances of seeds molding, but you do want enough moisture so the seeds can absorb some moisture and stay damp throughout the stratification period. Fold paper towel neatly into a rectangle. Lay flat on a clean surface. Try to keep your surfaces, supplies, and hands as clean as possible to avoid contaminating the stratification packs.
Step 3
Sprinkle seeds on one side of the paper towel in a single layer.
Step 4
Ensure paper towel is still moist enough. If not, spray lightly with more water.
Step 5
Fold the empty side of the paper towel over, covering the seeded side completely.
Step 6
Label the plastic bag with a sharpie or other durable and waterproof marker. I like to put the variety and date the stratification started. If I have time, I will add the end date on there too.
Step 7
Place the folded paper towel into the bag gently, making sure no seeds spill out. I don't seal the bags airtight, as sometimes that leads to soggy paper towel, which can rot your seeds.
Step 8
Place the baggie in the refrigerator in a low-traffic area, where they will not be disturbed. (NOT the freezer)
Check on the seeds regularly. Weekly or bi-weekly is best
Tips for Success
I check on the baggies weekly. Some may need a little extra water. Some may need to be wrung out a little.
I also open the bags up to make sure no seeds are growing mold or getting mushy.
When Stratification Time Is Up
When it's time to remove the baggies from the fridge to germinate, take them out and allow them to come to room temperature undisturbed before opening up and removing the contents. Once room temperature, the paper towel can be removed from the bags, and you can plant seeds as you normally would. Some folks even leave the seeds in the paper towel and place into germination spot. Seeds are checked daily for germination. Once seeds have germinated they are gently removed from the paper towel and planted into potting soil and placed under lights.
growing zones
Zones
Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
