You've got the gardening itch? January is a great time to stratify your cold loving seeds!

Many of our perennial herb seeds require a period of cold stratification. Cold stratification is a process of simulating the natural conditions required for a seed to germinate. In the case of the seeds listed below, the stratification method needed is to subject them to a period of cold and moist conditions.
Here are seeds to stratify:
How should I cold stratify my seeds?
Stratify in your fridge:
Mimic these cold, winter conditions by placing seeds in a plastic bag along with a wet cloth or paper towel in your refrigerator and leaving them there for a month or more. It is wise to mark your calendar so you know when you need to take them out. Your seed growing instructions may indicate how long of a cold period the seed requires. For example, Echinacea purpurea calls for 1 week, while Echinacea angustifolia requires 3-4 weeks.
Stratify outdoors:
If you're in the Northern states, use the chilly winter weather to your advantage and sow seeds requiring cold stratification in pots or plug flats then set them outside to be exposed to the real deal. If you go the natural route, be sure to cover your pots with fine wire (like an old window screen) to let moisture in but keep hungry foraging critters out.


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