Amy Mead
| Guest Contributor
This past summer I visited Bald Head Island for the first time, and I was charmed by drifts of prairie coneflower, Ratibida columnifera, that were blooming in the medians.
These little red and yellow perennials from the daisy family are naturalized in North Carolina, and they thrive in full sun, growing vigorously in the sandy soils on the island. As a lover of wildflowers, I wanted to introduce them to my garden, but with no plants available, I turned to seeds instead.
After studying my seed packets, I learned they require 60 days of cold stratification. This critical step ensures the tiny seeds will break dormancy and grow once planted. If you peek into my refrigerator today, you’ll find little baggies of seeds nestled in moist coffee filters, all waiting for their turn to be planted.
Seed packets are more than just pretty labels, they are the instruction manuals on how to grow the plants, what to expect, and the conditions that the plants need to thrive. Following the guidance on the packet will improve germination rates and ultimately lead to healthier plants. Here are some things you will see on your seed packet.
Decoding the Seed Packet Plant Name: Identifies both the common name (Prairie Coneflower) and Latin name (Ratibida columnifera) so you know exactly which flavor, color, or breed of plant you are growing. Days to Germination: Estimated timeframe that it takes for the seeds to sprout and poke their first leaves through the soil. Days to Maturity or Bloom: Tells you how long it will take for the plant to reach maturity, e.g. when a vegetable is ready for harvest or when you can expect flowers to bloom. Plant Characteristics: Describes the physical traits of the adult plant, such as its height at maturity, spread, growth habit (like “climbing” or “bushy”), and any unique resistances it might have. Pre-Treatment for Breaking Dormancy
If you’ve struggled to get seeds to grow, they may have required pre-treatment before planting. Many plants have evolved a “biological clock” that prevents them from germinating too early in the winter; ensuring they only grow when they are past the threat of frost. Your seed packet will indicate if your seeds need one or more of the following pre-treatments before planting:
Cold stratification: Stratification exposes seeds to a cold, moist period to mimic winter conditions. Seeds can be refrigerated in a moist medium for several weeks or be sown outdoors to provide natural stratification. Scarification: Scarification is the process of breaking, softening, or thinning a seed’s hard outer coat to start germination. Gardeners mimic natural processes by nicking the seed coat, rubbing with sandpaper, or using water soaks to improve germination.
Next time you’re browsing the seeds at the local garden shop, flip the packet over to read the instructions. By mastering the terms and techniques, you’ll be able to grow anything from veggies to wildflowers.
Amy Mead is the County Extension Director in New Hanover County. She can be reached at afmead@ncsu.edu. Visit N.C. Cooperative Extension at the New Hanover County Arboretum.
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