Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Winter seed sowing
Now that we’re officially in winter and many of us have snow on the ground, let’s talk about winter seed sowing! Prairie Moon Nursery encourages this method. I encourage you all to seek out native plant nurseries in your area. Prairie Moon is located in Minnesota and serves several states as does Prairie Nursery in Wisconsin!
They are a native seed and plant company out of Minnesota. I have ordered seeds and plants many times and have always had a great experience. PS, I’m not getting paid to say that!
Prairie Moon says that planting in winter gives Mother Nature time to stratify seeds through natural freeze-thaw cycles. This stratification process is needed for most wildflower seed to break dormancy and germinate in the spring.
Any day through late February on which you can walk around your prepared planting site with relative ease and comfort is potentially a great day to broadcast seed.
Do note that the site should have been prepared! Your site can be small or large… You can sow your seed right on top of the snow, but the key is to sow on the right KIND of snow. Plant your seed on fluffy, damp, packable snow. This way, the seed will slightly sink into the snow. Don’t sow seed on top of icy, crusty snow or it’ll just blow around in the wind and wind up who knows where!
Here is a link to their preparation guide for your site.
Now is a good time to ponder a prairie area. If you have space, planting prairie is so much better for the environment than a lawn! And think of all those flowers and pollinators you’ll enjoy!
