Start Indoors or Direct Into the Ground

[Birding Bunch]

I have a few packets of native seeds and all require the cold stratification. The only one I did anything with is the butterfly weed and they have not germinated, but are again back in the fridge as someone suggested.

So I am wondering, wouldn't planting directly into the ground in the fall after the first frost do the same thing? Has any one had success in putting the seeds right into the ground?

I have read here and elsewhere that starting natives is not easy. Is this because the ground has been changed so much by our activities?

Thank you for your thoughts.

[benj1]

I think the biggest problem with direct seeding is that you are adding seeds to ground that is already well seeded by weeds. Since natives generally germinate more slowly than the common weeds, you have a good chance of losing your natives to competition.

I got around that this past winter by creating a "nursery" bed. I removed about an inch of soil, where most of the weed seeds are, and replaced it with commercially packaged seed starter mix. Then I put my seeds in that. Two of the three species of forbs that I planted did germinate, and I am still in the process of moving them to permanent locations.

[sprucetree]

Like Benji said your biggest problem will be weeds/competition but I've been pleasantly surprised by having fall seeds reach full bloom. In my case I'm working with poor draining soil and risk losing seed to being too wet for too long. I start all my flower seeds for transplant under grow lights so It's not too much more work to have tupperwares of mason sand around the kitchen spare bedroom and basement. If the seeds need innoculant it's near the seeds and not getting washed away, It's a more controlled situation but can be frustrating when after thirty days in the fridge and a few days on the counter you still see no green sprouts. All you can do is put them back in the frig for two more weeks...Let them sit on the counter for a few days, keep them moist and hope. After about three cool/warm cycles if I don't get any germination I just give up or had old seeds and put them in a nursery bed with some weed-free compost and let nature take its course.

[Birding Bunch]

Thank you for your explanations. I hadn't thought of the weeds. A nursery bed sounds like a good idea. Would the south side of the house be a good spot? We already are thinking of just clearing that area and starting from scratch, if we can get out all the day lilies and yuccas.

[benj1]

Beside the house is fine if it gets normal rain (not under the eaves) and not too much (as under a dripline). "Ya gotta start somewhere!"

[havalotta]

I fall plant in "rows' as it helps in recognizing the tiny little infants I'm not familiar with.
I also add a plant label to the area as well as onto my maps of the beds so I'll know what and where they may be come next spring.
There's nothing worse than removing something only to find out later.....That was A GOOD ONE!

Anything growing between will always be a weed and once recognized, the strays can then be pulled from the row as well.
When the plants mature a bit, you can then move them into their permanent locations.

[Birding Bunch]

Thank you for the additional info. The south side of the house gets normal rain, it's the northeast portion that gets hit with excess rain.

Sprucetree, I'm on my second round of fridge/counter top with those butterflyweed seeds. I've been thinking more about it and wonder if we have the right conditions for them outside. I think we'll do better with the Swamp Milkweed and some plugs are in the ground now.

[havalotta]

Seeds that I received from Jack, Booboo and Amelanchier are beginning to sprout. Ground finally warmed up enough!