Got Seeds? Now What?
You have seeds, so what’s next?
Gardeners work hard all season. When we aren't planting and transplanting, we're weeding and mulching and more.
Here are a few steps and links that even the laziest gardener can appreciate that should make planting native seeds easy.
Beebalm, Bergamot (Monarda Fistulosa): Needs cold to germinate. Put seeds in fridge for 3 months or sow through the summer for next year flowering.
Spotted Beebalm (Monarda Punctata): Direct sow after last frost.
Columbine (Aquilegia): Sow in garden, early spring to mid-summer.
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): Plant seed into soil in the fall. They will germinate in spring.
Beardtongue (Penstemon): Plant in fall or winter. They cold stratification. Put into area of the garden, or use container or milk jug overwintering technique. Transplant in spring after last frost.
Milkweeds Swamp (Asclepias incarnata), Common (Asclepias syriaca) and Orange Butterfly (Asclepias tuberosa)): Use milk jug overwintering technique. Watch this video from Joanna Giddings: https://t.ly/6ZMGi
Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum): Needs cold to germinate. Sow in fall or early spring.
Links:
Ernst Seeds: https://www.ernstseed.com/resources/planting-guides/spring-vs-fall-seeding/
CT Botanical Society: https://www.ct-botanical-society.org/gardening-with-natives/
Seed Savers: https://www.seedsavers.org/learn#seed-starting