Seed Starting: Scarify and Cold Stratification

Understanding two common terms on seed packets can mean more successful outcomes. Some seeds, especially wildflower seeds, need nature or a mimicked process, to germinate. Cold Stratify and Scarify were two new terms we came across in recent years while starting seeds for our Spring Plant Sale. Basically, they both mean that the seeds need to go through a process which will help break down its hard outer shell.

Cold Stratification: the seeds need to go through a cold and wet process to break down the seed’s exterior before they will germinate. Planting seeds outside in the fall before the cold winter snows works perfectly; be sure to mark the spot in your garden to remember where. If starting seeds indoors, seeds can be sprinkled in the soil medium inside of an empty milk jug or on a seed tray and kept outdoors during the wintertime for several weeks. Mimicking this natural process, seeds can also be sprinkled on a wet napkin, paper towel or coffee filter and placed inside of a plastic sandwich bag, or another type of sealed container; leave the container or bag slightly ajar to allow ventilation. Label everything before refrigerating. Each seed variety needs a different amount of time to go through the cold stratification properly.

Scarifying Seeds: some seeds need to be scarified or both scarified and cold stratified to germinate. Scarifying seeds helps break down the tough exterior and can be done with sandpaper, hot water, freezing and a couple of other methods. Sandpaper and hot water may be the most common ways to successfully scarify seeds. We opted for the hot water treatment; boil water to 180 F (80 C) and add the seeds. Allow them to set in the water until the water is room temp. Strain the seeds and continue with the cold stratification process if needed. We are starting Leadplant seeds this year which need scarifying and cold stratification. We’ve never started Leadplant from seed—more updates to come!