Fall Is A Great Time To Start Hardy Perennial Seeds!
Perennials are ideal for the garden as they survive winter, and continue to grow and spread each growing season!
In nature, perennial plants typically drop their seeds in summer and fall. This is their first stage of development. This exposes the seeds to a moist warm environment, and this helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. Most have evolved to also require a cool period before germinating. This is referred to as a cold stratification. This cold stratification is completed through the winter, and lasts for several weeks or months. This can be safely replicated in a fridge. Once they are removed from the cold stratification it signals spring, and time to grow!
Indoor planting allows us to control things like moisture, temperature, and protect the seeds from being eaten or washed away, ultimately providing the best chance for your seeds to grow.
Now is a perfect time to plan next years gardens, and have your seeds ready for a fall/winter start indoors so they are established plants by springtime, ready to go in the garden!
