Context: I’m in SE Pennsylvania, zone 7a. Ive got this mix comin in the mail which has a lot of species (grand diversity mix from prairie moon [yes i know it has some non local species, okay.]) and, ive tried years and years in a row growing these but the most success I’ve gotten is a few plants germinating. So, is it too late and should i just stratify em indoors, or do I got time? Also, any additional tips so this doesn’t become my like.. tenth waste of $50? Thank yee!! :3

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  • Winter sowing in jugs should still be okay till mid January for most of them. Check stratification codes vs your spring warm up weather.

  • I still have 1/4 acre of seeds waiting to put out because the seeds I already put out are being eaten by birds because the snow melted.

    I’d have them on the ground before mid January if I was you (I’ll be doing the same). Make sure you have the site properly prepped. The seeds just need contact with soil. If you put them down right before a snow, the freeze thaw cycle will get them into crevices of the dirt. With the proper time and site preparation, it should take care of itself.

  • Not too late, but you could do a little bit of both if you want to. Scatter some on prepared soil, artificially stratify another portion to plant out in spring. I have not done large scale direct sowing, but will often collect seeds from the grounds where I work and scatter them. I have some success, for example New England Aster and Canada goldenrod came up easily, but not Royal catchfly. This year I scattered Culver's Root and lance leaf coreopsis, so finger's crossed. Are you following the instructions for establishing the plant community? Site prep is very important, but also mowing it to 4-8 inches repeatedly over the season, and this will kill off germinating weeds, but the natives will continue to work on their roots and will com back stronger than ever. Are you providing water during the establishment period? I would be shocked if you do not get at least some germination in the first year - the mints including agastache are very easy to grow, as are the asters and Dalea. What is the rabbit/deer pressure like in your area? I had bunnies mow down the Dalea to the ground every time any green appeared. I fenced it off and it grew nicely.

    Good luck!

    I noticed the special instructions for sowing - you can even sow in spring, which will favor the grasses in the first year, with the forbs expected to germinate in the next year. Be sure to mix the seed with inert filler as described before sowing. I assume you followed the site prep instructions...if not, I would hold off until that has been done - store the seeds in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to plant.

  • Until the end of January is still fine. 

  • I tried out wintersowing native perrenials in the 3rd week of February 2025, and I'm in SE PA. Everything I winter sowed bloomed this summer except common milkweed and baptisia.

  • Winter sow in jugs. I'll be doing this until the beginning of February. You can also moisten some perlite or vermiculite, put that into plastic baggies, toss some seeds in (label your bags!), and put that in your fridge (or outside if you have a place to keep them secure) to start the moist-cold stratification process if you don't want to deal with jugs.

  • I've never had any luck direct sowing. I recommend winter sowing using milk jugs.

  • Most growers will suggest germinating indoors or covered. Sometimes even waiting a year or more to plant. A lot depends on weed pressure and birds etc. how well plants survive. Direct sowing does seem to work for some people I just don’t have advice for that.

    Right, and not all seeds will necessarily germinate in the first year.