This past week I gave a presentation on starting native forbs from #seed for my local #WildOnes chapter. The summary from my talk was:
- the seeds are forgiving but only because they have so much innate intelligence that they can respond to (most) mistakes you'll make while learning
- cultivated seeds are bred to be people pleasers. Native seeds have their own agenda. Listen and learn from the seeds and the plants across seasons and years.
- my go-to method for artificial cold stratification is a wet coffee filter covered in seeds, folded, put in a container or baggie, and to alternate between fridge and freezer every 24 hrs for 10-14 days. This is for when you're a month or two from the last freeze date and need to get #plants going. It's an alternative option to sowing in pots outdoors in late fall and geminating naturally in the spring.
- and finally, don't attach yourself to the outcome. Growing natives from seed is a joy because it is challenging and therefore enormously rewarding when you succeed. Enjoy the process. Plant, sell, donate, propagate, and infect your community with the healing joy that is native #wildflowers.
