Without cold stratification, many native perennial seeds simply won't germinate, resulting in a disappointing spring. But knowing the right method is key.

While most gardeners start seeds in spring, winter sowing can allow you to plant vegetable, herb, and flower seeds a whole lot earlier. Not only does winter sowing extend the growing season and ...

“Cold stratification refers to a period of cold, moist conditions that certain seeds require for successful germination in spring,” explains Phillips. But, as winter temperature fluctuations become ...

Ever had trouble getting seeds to germinate in the garden in the spring? If so, it’s time to do some research to see if your seeds need to be cold stratified before you plant them. Cold stratification ...

Amanda Blum is a freelancer who writes about smart home technology, gardening, and food preservation. Previously, Amanda has worked as a technology strategist specializing in problem solving and ...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Some seeds will germinate with no help from gardeners -- for example, those from the Halloween pumpkin you tossed into your compost pile.

Monarch butterfly caterpillars only eat leaves from the milkweed genus, Asclepias spp., so it’s critical for those butterflies that we try to grow as many of these plants as we can. Collecting ...