Sow Native Seeds in Winter!

In this hands-on workshop, Linsey, native plants program curator or Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center learn how to stratify and winter sow native seeds. We will discuss how wild seeds differ from our typical agricultural crops, and how seed starting techniques can vary from species to species. We will take a closer look at seed morphology and seed dormancy, two characteristics that can help us determine how to break dormancy and successfully germinate our seeds. We will consider the ways we can further preserve genetic diversity through the growing process, and why maintaining more unpredictable traits like seed dormancy is so important for native plants. Finally, we will sow our seeds and prepare them for stratification. Everyone will leave with seed stratifying material, including local-ecotype seeds grown here at the farm, and a full tray of planted seeds. Come prepared to get your hands dirty- we will be propagating seeds of several species of native plants!