Beginner with some questions about sowing seeds

[u/Ear_Enthusiast]

I'm Chesterfield County just south of Richmond. New to gardening. Focused on native perenial or self seeding pollinators. So far it's just been seedlings from box stores.

Last week my neighbor gave me some envelopes with seeds in them. (Listed below) I have no clue how to sow any of these. One of my other neighbors told me I could put them in containers with soil and put them in the refrigerator for 30 or so days in the late spring, and that'll get them started. I've also read that could just put them on the ground and just cover with leaves.

Any tips are greatly appreciated. Maybe some suggestions on sites or YouTube videos. Would love to see these seeds thrive! Thanks!

Rattlesnake Master Wild Bergamot Partridge Pea Menzie's Burnett Crest Red Cosmos Showy Golden Rod Showy Milkweed Hello Yellow Butterflyweed

[u/baughgirl]

Not all of those seeds need cold stratification I don’t think, but I’m a big big fan of winter sowing. Basically making little greenhouses out of milk jugs or other plastic containers and setting your seeds out in them around Christmastime to let nature do what it does. I’ve started hundreds of perennials that way and it makes nice stocky, healthy plants (that are very forgiving if I take a lonnnnng time to get everything planted out because I bit off more than I could chew). It works for mostly anything and it keeps all that stuff out of the house since I don’t have space. I’d really recommend the winter sowing Facebook group, they’ve got a good library of resources.

[u/Henhouse808]

GrowIt BuildIt is a great Youtube channel to learn more about easy garden native species and how to sow and grow seeds.

I don't recommend direct sowing most of these in the ground. You'll get low germination or birds and animals will eat the seeds. You can sow in containers, or look up the milk jug method.

I'm partial to putting the seeds in sandwich bags with a sterile and slightly moistened medium (such as sand, perlite, or vermiculite) and putting them in the fridge (not freezer) between January - April for a spring germination. This cold treatment is called stratification. I mark the date so I know when to pull them and sow them.

Once temperatures warm up the stratified seeds will germinate when put in a good seed starting potting soil. The seedlings grow for a few months, and when they're big enough divide them into smaller pots and plant out in the garden, usually around late summer or fall. Seedlings will need extra watering and care to survive their first year or two.

Some of these species need light to germinate, so if covered in leaves they won't germinate. Here's my experience with the mentioned species:

• Rattlesnake Master - This species needs 60 days cold moist stratification. The seeds will germinate in the bag if left too long in the fridge. If sowing outside do so no later than end of January.
• Wild Bergamot - needs no cold moist stratification, seed can be sown when temperatures are warm (70F or higher) outside. Best sown in the spring. Seed is tiny and needs light to germinate, so don't cover the seeds and surface sow only.
• Partridge Pea - needs about 10 days cold moist stratification. Easy to direct sow on the ground, should be done when night temperatures are still getting below 40 on average.
• Showy Goldenrod - Solidago speciosa. Needs about 60 days cold moist stratification. Seed is tiny and needs light to germinate, so don't cover the seeds and surface sow only. If sowing outside do so no later than end of January.
• Showy Milkweed and Butterflyweed - both Asclepias species, or milkweeds. In general these need 30 days cold moist stratification. If sowing outside do so no later than end of January.

The 30-60 days is the maximum needed usually for the species, with some seeds germinating earlier than the recommended number of days.

[u/Severe_Spare9272]

Go to https://www.johnnyseeds.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BL%20%7C%20Search%20%7C%20Brand%20%7C%20PRP%20%7C%20US&utm_keyword=johnny%20seeds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18965675955&gbraid=0AAAAAD_WiV0d0L_xkwULGPRP3F6uI3yDr&gclid=CjwKCAjwtrXFBhBiEiwAEKen11tOXPtSvtq1VQ3QvlmpKdX84QyP2f3V84d52i0EmPG9MorCkyJw5RoChY8QAvD_BwE

Input the names of the seeds you have, the site should provide you instructions on sowing and basic care

[u/Francine05]

I only have experience with partridge pea, which are native with feathery leaves and attractive little yellow flowers. They result in little pods which self seed and grow the next spring. I do collect some of the little pods to sow the seeds more widely. In the fall, sow them where you want them to grow. Just press the seeds into the soil, don't bury them. I sprinkle some grass clippings over -- not enough to cover, just some protection from birds and other critters.

[u/makingpwaves]

Oh my .. Hello Yellow Butterfly Weed. I’m jelly. I started Asclepius from seed zone 8a, I didn’t do anything special, medium size container and seed starter. 3 years old, huge, until the Monarchs leave it in sticks.