{ "title": "Seed sowing chart: treatment, depth and timing for every species", "page": "https://bluewhaletrees.com/tools/sowing/", "license": { "name": "Creative Commons Attribution 4.0", "short": "CC BY 4.0", "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" }, "attribution": "Blue Whale Trees, https://bluewhaletrees.com/tools/sowing/", "updated": "2026-10-22", "row": "one tree or shrub the nursery grows", "rows_count": 364, "columns": [ { "name": "slug", "means": "the plant page's address, https://bluewhaletrees.com/plants//" }, { "name": "name", "means": "the common name the page uses" }, { "name": "seed", "means": "what is sown: acorns, nuts or seed" }, { "name": "keep", "means": "how the seed keeps: never-dry when it dies if it dries or freezes, dry when it stores dry and cool" }, { "name": "route", "means": "the treatment: fresh, cold, warm-cold, scarify, surface or none. Fresh is sown as it drops, cold needs a cold spell, warm-cold a warm spell then cold, scarify a nicked hard coat, surface light to sprout, none nothing the nursery sows" }, { "name": "cold_days", "means": "the days of cold, moist treatment the route needs, where it needs one" }, { "name": "warm_days", "means": "the days of warm, moist treatment before the cold, where the route needs one" }, { "name": "scarify", "means": "true when the seed coat is nicked or soaked before sowing" }, { "name": "light", "means": "true when the seed needs light and is sown on the surface" }, { "name": "depth_in", "means": "the sowing depth in inches" }, { "name": "fall", "means": "true when fall sowing outdoors gives the seed its cold spell" }, { "name": "emerge", "means": "when seedlings come up: fall, spring, or the second spring" }, { "name": "guide", "means": "the plant page's own sowing sentence" } ], "rows": [ { "slug": "alabama-azalea", "name": "Alabama Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light but no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, under a clear cover at room temperature. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "alabama-croton", "name": "Alabama Croton", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "trial", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "We know of no tested way to sow Alabama croton seed, and seedlings are very scarce in the wild." }, { "slug": "alabama-snow-wreath", "name": "Alabama Snow-wreath", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "none", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Seeds rarely ripen in the wild. Some growers list seed among the ways to raise it. It roots easily from softwood cuttings, and a clump can be divided." }, { "slug": "alderleaf-buckthorn", "name": "Alderleaf Buckthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 150, 150 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed outdoors in late fall, just covered, so it gets about five months of cold before spring. Seedlings come up in spring, and in one nursery trial 75 percent of the seed sprouted." }, { "slug": "allegheny-chinquapin", "name": "Allegheny Chinquapin", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "Nuts root in autumn rather than spring as chestnuts do, so sow them an inch deep the fall they drop, under hardware cloth against rodents. Fall-sown seed germinates above 90 percent, seed dried over winter below 50." }, { "slug": "allegheny-plum", "name": "Allegheny Plum", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 150, 150 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the pits in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for about five months first. Only about a quarter of the seed comes up in tests, so sow plenty." }, { "slug": "allegheny-serviceberry", "name": "Allegheny Serviceberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs three to four months of cold, damp storage. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall a quarter inch deep, or chill it in the refrigerator and sow in spring. Many seeds wait until the second spring to come up." }, { "slug": "american-basswood", "name": "American Basswood (Linden)", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "file", "light": false, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Sow basswood seed outdoors in fall under hardware cloth against mice, but germination is slow and uneven, often waiting until the second or third spring." }, { "slug": "american-beautyberry", "name": "American Beautyberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow seed in fall, cleaned of pulp, a quarter inch deep in a pot or bed left outdoors for the winter. Or hold it damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days and sow it in spring. It germinates in spring, and seedlings can flower in their second year." }, { "slug": "american-beech", "name": "American Beech", "seed": "nuts", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall half an inch deep under hardware cloth, or rodents and birds take them. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 90 days first. Seedlings come up in spring." }, { "slug": "american-chestnut", "name": "American Chestnut", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The nuts die if they dry out, so keep them cool and damp until you sow. Sow them in fall an inch deep, on their sides, under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for two to three months first." }, { "slug": "american-crabapple", "name": "American Crabapple", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 120, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow crabapple seed in the fall half an inch deep in a screened bed, since it needs winter cold to sprout and mice clean out an open bed." }, { "slug": "american-fly-honeysuckle", "name": "American Fly Honeysuckle", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the seed from the red berries and sow it outdoors in fall, under an eighth to a quarter inch of soil and a light straw mulch. For a spring sowing, chill it damp in the refrigerator for two to three months first. In one germination test, all of the seed sprouted." }, { "slug": "american-hazelnut", "name": "American Hazelnut", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 180 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 2, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Nuts are sown in fall, two inches deep, and must be covered with hardware cloth, since squirrels and chipmunks dig them up." }, { "slug": "american-holly", "name": "American Holly, select line", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 360, 360 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second or third spring", "guide": "Seed has a deep dormancy. Clean it from the berries and sow it outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch. Seedlings come up in the second or even the third spring." }, { "slug": "american-hornbeam", "name": "American Hornbeam (Musclewood)", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 126 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "Pick the seed while the nutlets are still greenish and sow it outdoors that fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch. Seedlings come up the next spring. Seed gathered brown and dry needs two to four months of cold, damp storage, and some of it waits until the second spring." }, { "slug": "american-mountain-ash", "name": "American Mountain Ash", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow seed in fall a quarter inch deep in a bed screened with hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "american-persimmon", "name": "American Persimmon", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed can be sown in fall an inch deep in a screened bed." }, { "slug": "american-plum", "name": "American Plum", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 150 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 2, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow plum pits in fall, two inches deep, under hardware cloth against mice and squirrels. For a spring sowing, hold them damp in the refrigerator for three to five months first." }, { "slug": "american-smoketree", "name": "American Smoketree", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed has a hard coat and sprouts unevenly, so sow it in fall in a screened bed and wait a second spring." }, { "slug": "american-snowbell", "name": "American Snowbell", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow fresh, cleaned seed outdoors in fall. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first. Pick the seed from the shrub as it turns glossy brown, not from the ground." }, { "slug": "arkansas-oak", "name": "Arkansas Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 84 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for four to twelve weeks first." }, { "slug": "arrowwood-viburnum", "name": "Arrowwood Viburnum", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 15, 30 ], "warm_days": [ 360, 510 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "Pick fruit as soon as it turns blue-black, clean off the pulp and sow it a half inch deep in an outdoor bed under hardware cloth. Northern seed has double dormancy: the root grows in warm weather and the shoot waits for a winter, so most seedlings appear the second spring. A refrigerator alone will not do it. Stored seed is sown in spring to get a summer before its winter. Fruit picked just before it ripens and sown outdoors at once, in August, comes up the next spring. Indoors, northern seed needs 12 to 17 months damp at room temperature and then two to four weeks in the refrigerator." }, { "slug": "ashe-magnolia", "name": "Ashe's Magnolia", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the red coat off the seed, and never let it dry. Sow it outdoors in fall, half an inch deep, under hardware cloth against mice. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for at least 60 days first." }, { "slug": "atlantic-white-cedar", "name": "Atlantic White Cedar", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed needs one to three months of cold, damp storage in the refrigerator. Sow it in spring on the surface of wet peat or sand, where it gets light. Keep the mix wet until the seedlings are up." }, { "slug": "bald-cypress", "name": "Bald Cypress", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 30 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow seed in fall a quarter to half an inch deep on a bed kept constantly moist. Mulch the bed with leaves over winter." }, { "slug": "bartram-serviceberry", "name": "Bartram's Serviceberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring, some the second", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall a quarter inch deep. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days first. Many seeds wait until the second spring to come up." }, { "slug": "beach-plum", "name": "Beach Plum", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 2, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow pits in fall two inches deep under hardware cloth against mice." }, { "slug": "beaked-hazelnut", "name": "Beaked Hazelnut", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 180 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth, since squirrels and chipmunks dig them up. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for two to six months first." }, { "slug": "bear-huckleberry", "name": "Bear Huckleberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 30 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "It has been raised from seed. Treat it like black huckleberry seed, warm and damp for a month and then cool for two months, around 45 to 50 degrees. Then sow it in a damp peat and sand mix." }, { "slug": "bear-oak", "name": "Bear Oak (Scrub Oak)", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Acorns are sown the fall they ripen, an inch deep, under hardware cloth against mice, squirrels and jays." }, { "slug": "bigleaf-magnolia", "name": "Bigleaf Magnolia", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Rub the red coat off the seed, and never let it dry. Sow it outdoors in fall, half an inch deep, under hardware cloth against mice. For spring, keep it damp in the refrigerator for at least 60 days first." }, { "slug": "bigleaf-snowbell", "name": "Bigleaf Snowbell", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for about three months first." }, { "slug": "bigleaf-witch-hazel", "name": "Bigleaf Witch Hazel", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 150, 150 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "Sow it as other witch hazels are sown. Sow fresh seed outdoors in early fall, a quarter inch deep, and mulch the bed over winter. Many seedlings wait until the second spring." }, { "slug": "bitternut-hickory", "name": "Bitternut Hickory", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "soak", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up. For spring, soak them two to four days, then chill them damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days." }, { "slug": "black-cherry", "name": "Black Cherry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "Sow the cleaned pits outdoors in early fall, an inch deep under hardware cloth. Some come up the first spring and more the second. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for three to four months first." }, { "slug": "black-chokeberry", "name": "Black Chokeberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.33, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the seed well, because seed left in the pulp germinates poorly. Sow it outdoors in fall a third of an inch deep, or keep it damp in the refrigerator for three to four months before a spring sowing." }, { "slug": "black-elderberry", "name": "Black Elderberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 150 ], "warm_days": [ 60, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs a warm spell and then a winter. Clean it from the pulp and sow it outdoors in fall a quarter inch deep, and seedlings come up the second spring. For a spring sowing, keep it in a damp bag for two months at room temperature and then three to five months in the refrigerator." }, { "slug": "black-gum", "name": "Black Gum (Tupelo)", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow seed in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth; it germinates the next spring." }, { "slug": "black-hickory", "name": "Black Hickory", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 150 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "soak", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up. For spring, soak them two to four days, then chill them damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 150 days." }, { "slug": "black-huckleberry", "name": "Black Huckleberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 30 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed needs a month of warm, damp conditions and then two months cool, around 45 to 50 degrees, before it sprouts back in the warmth. Sow it on the surface of a damp peat and sand mix. Germination is slow and sparse." }, { "slug": "black-locust", "name": "Black Locust", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": "hot-water", "light": false, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed has a stony coat, so pour just-boiled water over it, soak it overnight, and sow in spring." }, { "slug": "black-maple", "name": "Black Maple", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the samaras from the tree as they turn brown in fall. Sow them outdoors at once, half an inch deep in a mulched bed. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "black-oak", "name": "Black Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 days first." }, { "slug": "black-walnut", "name": "Black Walnut", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 2, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall, husks off, two inches deep under pinned hardware cloth, or squirrels take them all." }, { "slug": "blackhaw", "name": "Blackhaw Viburnum", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 60 ], "warm_days": [ 150, 270 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed has a double dormancy. It roots in summer warmth and sends up a shoot only after the next winter. Sow it outdoors in fall, or hold it and sow by early May, and seedlings appear the second spring after you collect it." }, { "slug": "blackjack-oak", "name": "Blackjack Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "bladdernut", "name": "Bladdernut", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 90, 90 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring, some the second", "guide": "Seed is slow and must not dry out. Sow it cleaned, outdoors in fall, in a bed screened against mice, and expect part of it to sit through a second winter. For a spring sowing, hold it damp at room temperature for three months and then in the refrigerator for three months." }, { "slug": "blue-ash", "name": "Blue Ash", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 60, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring, some the second", "guide": "Sow seed outdoors in fall and leave the bed a full winter, or longer, before seedlings show." }, { "slug": "blue-ridge-st-johns-wort", "name": "Blue Ridge St. John's-wort", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Many St. John's-worts need light to sprout, so press the fine seed onto damp, gritty soil in spring without covering it." }, { "slug": "blueberry-hawthorn", "name": "Blueberry Hawthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "It is sown as other hawthorns are. Sow the cleaned seed outdoors in fall. Some seedlings may wait until the second spring." }, { "slug": "bluejack-oak", "name": "Bluejack Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 84 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.75, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout. Sow them in fall three quarters of an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for four to twelve weeks first." }, { "slug": "bluff-oak", "name": "Bluff Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "White oak acorns sprout soon after they fall. Sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "bog-spicebush", "name": "Bog Spicebush", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow it as spicebush is sown. Clean the seed from the red berries and sow it outdoors in fall, a quarter to half an inch deep under mulch, before it can dry out. For a spring sowing, keep it in damp sand in the refrigerator for three to four months." }, { "slug": "bottlebrush-buckeye", "name": "Bottlebrush Buckeye", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Buckeye seed dies if it dries out, so sow it as soon as the husks split in fall. Set each seed an inch or two deep with the pale scar down. It roots that fall, and the shoot waits for spring." }, { "slug": "box-huckleberry", "name": "Box Huckleberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 30 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Give the cleaned seed a month warm and damp, then two months in the refrigerator. Sow it in a damp peat and sand mix. Seed treated this way has come up at about 80 percent." }, { "slug": "boynton-oak", "name": "Boynton Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "White oak acorns sprout soon after they fall. Sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "bracted-arrowwood", "name": "Bracted Arrowwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "It is sown as northern viburnums are. Sow cleaned seed outdoors half an inch deep, under wire against mice, in fall or the next spring. Seedlings come up the second spring after you collect the seed." }, { "slug": "rose-locust", "name": "Bristly Locust (Rose Locust)", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "none", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "It seldom sets seed, spreading instead by root suckers, which holds a bank and overruns a border." }, { "slug": "broom-crowberry", "name": "Broom Crowberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "trial", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Broom crowberry is hard to raise from seed, and every treatment tried has given few seedlings. In the wild, seedlings come up in the year or two after a fire, and smoke may help." }, { "slug": "buckthorn-bully", "name": "Buckthorn Bully", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow it as gum bumelia is sown. Clean the seed from fruit picked as soon as it turns purplish black, and chill it damp in the refrigerator for 60 days. Sow it in spring under a light cover of soil." }, { "slug": "buckwheat-tree", "name": "Buckwheat Tree", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "", "guide": "Many of the winged fruits hold no seed, so sow them thickly. Sow them outdoors in fall, barely covered, and keep the bed moist through winter." }, { "slug": "bur-oak", "name": "Bur Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Bur oak acorns die if they dry out, and those from northern trees wait for a winter's cold before they sprout. Sow them on arrival in fall, 1 to 2 inches deep, under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 days first." }, { "slug": "butternut", "name": "Butternut", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall one to two inches deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days first. Seedlings come up in spring." }, { "slug": "buttonbush", "name": "Buttonbush", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the fruiting heads in fall once they turn reddish brown, and break them apart when dry. The seed needs no treatment. Sow it in spring on the surface of moist soil, barely covered, and keep it damp." }, { "slug": "canada-buffaloberry", "name": "Canada Buffaloberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 170 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "It is hard to raise from seed: the seed is often poor, it sprouts erratically, and it rots easily in a greenhouse. Sow fresh seed outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep, and mulch the bed over winter. Stored seed needs three to six months damp in the refrigerator before a spring sowing." }, { "slug": "canada-plum", "name": "Canada Plum", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the pits in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, keep them damp and warm for one to two months, then chill them in the refrigerator for two to three months." }, { "slug": "canada-yew", "name": "Canada Yew", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": [ 150, 210 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed has a double dormancy, so most of it waits until the second spring after a fall sowing outdoors. Indoors, keep cleaned seed damp at cool room temperature for five to seven months, then in the refrigerator for two to four more. Sow it half an inch deep and shade the seedlings through their first summer." }, { "slug": "carolina-bog-laurel", "name": "Carolina Bog Laurel", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is minute and needs no chilling. Sow it on the surface of moist peat at room temperature, uncovered, in good light. Tests of sheep laurel, its northern form, found no dormancy, and the seed of our mountain laurel needs light." }, { "slug": "carolina-buckthorn", "name": "Carolina Buckthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the pulp from the seed, sow it outdoors in fall in a screened bed, and let winter do the chilling. Seed kept until spring needs 30 to 60 days damp in the refrigerator first. Sow it barely covered." }, { "slug": "carolina-hemlock", "name": "Carolina Hemlock", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed needs one to three months of cold, damp storage in the refrigerator. Sow it in spring, barely covered, in a bed with light shade. The seedlings are small and burn in hot sun their first summer." }, { "slug": "carolina-laurelcherry", "name": "Carolina Laurelcherry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the cleaned pits in fall, half an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, keep them damp and warm for one to two months, then chill them in the refrigerator for two to three months." }, { "slug": "carolina-silverbell", "name": "Carolina Silverbell", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 60, 120 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall and be patient, since it usually needs two winters to sprout." }, { "slug": "carolina-st-johns-wort", "name": "Carolina St. John's-wort", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Many St. John's-worts need light to sprout, so press the fine seed onto damp, sandy soil in spring without covering it." }, { "slug": "catawba-rhododendron", "name": "Catawba Rhododendron", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light, with no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, at room temperature under lights and a clear cover. Most seedlings come up within about two weeks." }, { "slug": "catberry", "name": "Catberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 60, 150 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.125, "fall": true, "emerge": "second or third spring", "guide": "Seed needs a long warm, damp spell and then a winter, and cold alone does not wake it. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, an eighth of an inch deep under mulch. Seedlings come up slowly and unevenly, in the second or third spring. For a spring sowing, keep it in a damp bag at room temperature for two to five months and then in the refrigerator for two to three months." }, { "slug": "cedar-elm", "name": "Cedar Elm", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the seed outdoors in fall, no deeper than a quarter inch, and seedlings come up in spring. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "chalk-maple", "name": "Chalk Maple", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the samaras off the tree as they turn brown, since fallen seed soon dies. Sow them outdoors in fall, half an inch deep in a mulched bed. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "chapman-oak", "name": "Chapman Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "White oak acorns sprout soon after they fall. Sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "chapman-st-johns-wort", "name": "Chapman's St. John's-wort", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "In the wild its seed waits in the soil until fire or other disturbance clears the ground, and then many seeds sprout. Press the fine seed onto damp, bare, sandy soil in spring without covering it, since other St. John's-worts need light to sprout." }, { "slug": "cherrybark-oak", "name": "Cherrybark Oak, Wye Island line", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow acorns in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth weighted with stones, since squirrels and jays hunt them. Red oak acorns need a winter before they come up in spring." }, { "slug": "chestnut-oak", "name": "Chestnut Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "Chestnut oak acorns sprout soon after they fall. Sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "chickasaw-plum", "name": "Chickasaw Plum", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the pits in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for two to four months first." }, { "slug": "chinese-chestnut", "name": "Chinese Chestnut", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Nuts must never dry out, so keep them cool and damp until you sow, plant them an inch deep, and pin hardware cloth over the row against mice and squirrels." }, { "slug": "chinquapin-oak", "name": "Chinquapin Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "Chinquapin oak acorns sprout soon after they fall and do not keep. Sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "chokecherry", "name": "Chokecherry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 120, 160 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the cleaned pits in fall, half an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for four to five months first." }, { "slug": "cinnamon-clethra", "name": "Cinnamon Clethra", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is tiny and needs no chilling. Sow it on the surface of a damp mix, uncovered, at room temperature in good light under mist or a clear cover. Seedlings come up within two weeks." }, { "slug": "clammy-locust", "name": "Clammy Locust", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": "hot-water", "light": false, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed has a hard coat, so drop it into water just off the boil and let it soak overnight as it cools. Sow the swollen seed in spring, a quarter inch deep." }, { "slug": "climbing-fetterbush", "name": "Climbing Fetterbush", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed of its relative mountain fetterbush needs no chilling, so sow it on the surface of a damp, fine mix at room temperature, in daylight. The seedlings of the genus grow very slowly at first." }, { "slug": "climbing-prairie-rose", "name": "Climbing Prairie Rose", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the hips as soon as they turn red, and clean out the seed at once. Sow it outdoors in fall a quarter inch deep, and seedlings come up the next spring. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days first." }, { "slug": "clusterspike-indigobush", "name": "Clusterspike Indigobush", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Seed sprouts best when it is rubbed out of its pod first. Sow it about a quarter inch deep in spring. Cleaned seed keeps well in the freezer." }, { "slug": "coastal-azalea", "name": "Coastal Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light but no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, under a clear cover at room temperature. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "cockspur-hawthorn", "name": "Cockspur Hawthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 135 ], "warm_days": [ 90, 120 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs a warm spell and then a cold one. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in early fall, a quarter inch deep, and expect many seedlings only in the second spring. For a spring sowing, keep it damp at room temperature for three to four months, then in the refrigerator for three to four and a half months." }, { "slug": "common-hackberry", "name": "Common Hackberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed keeps for years dry and cold. In fall, clean the pulp off and sow half an inch deep in a screened bed. For spring, hold the cleaned seed damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "common-hoptree", "name": "Common Hoptree (Wafer Ash)", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 112 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed comes in the wafer: pick the clusters in fall when they turn tan and sow whole wafers a quarter inch deep in a screened, mulched bed. Winter rots the wing and chills the seed, and seedlings come up in spring. For spring sowing, break the seed out of the wafer, which blocks germination in a refrigerator, and stratify it damp and cold three to four months. Sow shallow; seed buried an inch and a half down mostly never came up." }, { "slug": "common-prickly-ash", "name": "Common Prickly Ash (Toothache Tree)", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 120, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "acid", "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed has a hard coat that keeps it dormant. Sow it in fall the week it is collected, a quarter inch deep in a screened bed outdoors, and the winter does the work; seedlings come up in spring. For spring sowing, hold the cleaned seed cold and damp for 120 days first. Even then only about a quarter of the seed sprouts in tests, and nurseries add an acid soak before the chilling." }, { "slug": "conjurers-nut", "name": "Conjurer's-nut", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "none", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "It seldom sets fruit, since most colonies are all male or all female. It spreads instead by underground stems into large colonies." }, { "slug": "corkwood", "name": "Corkwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Hold the fruit damp in the refrigerator for three months, then sow it a quarter inch deep in late September. Seedlings come up the next spring." }, { "slug": "creeping-blueberry", "name": "Creeping Blueberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is small and needs light to sprout. Keep the dry seed in the refrigerator for about 90 days. Then sow it on the surface of a moist, acid mix, uncovered, in light." }, { "slug": "creeping-juniper", "name": "Creeping Juniper", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "It is hard to raise from seed: few seeds sprout, and they sprout slowly. Sow fresh seed outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep, and mulch the bed over winter. Stored seed needs 30 to 120 days damp in the refrigerator before a spring sowing." }, { "slug": "cucumber-magnolia", "name": "Cucumber Magnolia", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the pulp from the red seed, sow it in fall, and never let it dry." }, { "slug": "cumberland-azalea", "name": "Cumberland Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light but no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, under a clear cover at room temperature. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "cumberland-rosemary", "name": "Cumberland Rosemary", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "within weeks of sowing", "guide": "Its seed sprouts poorly, about 2 in 100 in laboratory tests, because few seeds hold a full embryo. Sow it on the surface of damp sand in good light, since buried or dark seed does not sprout. Most seedlings that appear do so within three weeks, and fungi kill many." }, { "slug": "dahoon", "name": "Dahoon", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch. It may come up the next spring, but holly seed often waits two or three years. For a spring sowing, keep it damp at room temperature for one to two months and then in the refrigerator for two to three months." }, { "slug": "dangleberry", "name": "Dangleberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 30 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Treat the seed like black huckleberry seed, warm and damp for a month and then cool for two, around 45 to 50 degrees. Sow it on the surface of a damp peat and sand mix. Black huckleberry seed comes up slowly and sparsely this way." }, { "slug": "deerberry", "name": "Deerberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is small and needs light and usually a cold spell. Clean it from ripe berries in water, sow it on the surface of a flat of moist acid mix, uncovered, and leave the flat outdoors for the winter. For spring, give it 60 to 90 days in a damp bag in the refrigerator first. Keep the flat shaded and moist; it comes up in spring." }, { "slug": "delta-post-oak", "name": "Delta Post Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "Sow acorns as soon as they drop, an inch deep under pinned hardware cloth, because white oak acorns root before winter and will not keep in a dry shed." }, { "slug": "devils-walking-stick", "name": "Devil's Walking Stick", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed is ready when the fruit drops in September and October and the nutlets inside are hard. Clean off the pulp the same day, because the fruit ferments, then sow it at once a quarter inch deep in a bed outdoors for the winter. For spring, refrigerate it damp for 3 months first. Unchilled seed barely germinates. Seedlings appear in spring." }, { "slug": "devilwood", "name": "Devilwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "trial", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Devilwood is difficult to raise from seed or from cuttings." }, { "slug": "downy-arrowwood", "name": "Downy Arrowwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": [ 360, 510 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs 12 to 17 months of warm, damp conditions and then 2 to 4 months of cold. Hold cleaned seed damp at room temperature for that time, then chill it in the refrigerator before sowing it half an inch deep. Sown outdoors in fall, most seed waits at least until the second spring." }, { "slug": "downy-hawthorn", "name": "Downy Hawthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 120, 180 ], "warm_days": [ 60, 120 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs a warm spell and then a long cold one. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, and expect many seedlings only in the second spring. For a spring sowing, keep it damp at room temperature for two to four months, then in the refrigerator for four to six months." }, { "slug": "downy-serviceberry", "name": "Downy Serviceberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs three to four months of cold, damp storage. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall a quarter inch deep, or chill it in the refrigerator and sow in spring. Many seeds wait until the second spring to come up." }, { "slug": "durand-oak", "name": "Durand Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "White oak acorns sprout soon after they fall. Sow them on arrival, half an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "dwarf-chinquapin-oak", "name": "Dwarf Chinquapin Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "Sow acorns the day they drop, an inch deep under pinned hardware cloth, since they root before winter and mice hunt them." }, { "slug": "dwarf-hackberry", "name": "Dwarf Hackberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the pulp off the seed, which keeps for years dry and cold. Sow it outdoors in fall, half an inch deep under a screen. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days first." }, { "slug": "dwarf-live-oak", "name": "Dwarf Live Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "Live oak acorns sprout soon after they fall. Sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "dwarf-pawpaw", "name": "Dwarf Pawpaw", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.75, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow fresh seed outdoors in fall, three quarters of an inch deep. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first. Germination is slow and uneven." }, { "slug": "dwarf-tupelo", "name": "Dwarf Tupelo", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow it as swamp tupelo is sown. Clean the pulp off the seed and hold it damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 120 days. Sow it in spring, half an inch deep, and keep the bed moist but not flooded. Untreated seed can also go into an outdoor bed in fall." }, { "slug": "dwarf-witch-alder", "name": "Dwarf Witch Alder", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 180, 180 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs at least six months of warm, damp conditions and then three months of cold. Sow it outdoors in fall, and expect seedlings the second spring." }, { "slug": "eastern-leatherwood", "name": "Eastern Leatherwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the seed outdoors as soon as the fruit ripens in June or July, with or without its pulp, a quarter inch deep. It comes up the next spring." }, { "slug": "eastern-red-cedar", "name": "Eastern Red Cedar", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 70, 70 ], "warm_days": [ 42, 42 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed thickly outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch, since germination is often poor. Most of it comes up the second spring. For spring, keep it damp at room temperature for six weeks and then in the refrigerator for ten weeks first." }, { "slug": "eastern-redbud", "name": "Eastern Redbud", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "hot-water", "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Soak seed overnight in water just off the boil, sow it in a fall bed under screen, and let winter chill it." }, { "slug": "eastern-wahoo", "name": "Eastern Wahoo", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 180 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed is a less reliable way to raise it than cuttings. Pick the capsules just before they split. Sow the cleaned seed outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep, and mulch the bed. Stored seed needs two to six months damp in the refrigerator before a spring sowing." }, { "slug": "elliott-blueberry", "name": "Elliott's Blueberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed is hard to raise, since chilled seed barely comes up. Seed given a warm, damp spell and then the cold does sprout, but the seedlings grow very slowly. Sow it on the surface of a moist, acid mix, in light." }, { "slug": "farkleberry", "name": "Farkleberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is small and needs light, and a cold spell helps it sprout. Keep cleaned seed damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days. Then sow it on the surface of a moist, slightly acid mix, uncovered, in light." }, { "slug": "fevertree", "name": "Fevertree", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "", "guide": "The seed needs no treatment before sowing. Sow it outdoors in fall, in a moist, acid bed." }, { "slug": "flag-pawpaw", "name": "Flag Pawpaw", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 100 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.75, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow fresh seed in fall, three quarters of an inch deep, before it dries. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 100 days first. Germination is slow, and these are the figures for pawpaws in general." }, { "slug": "flame-azalea", "name": "Flame Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light, with no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, at room temperature under lights and a clear cover. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "flatwoods-plum", "name": "Flatwoods Plum", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the pits in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for several months first." }, { "slug": "florida-anise", "name": "Florida Anise", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the seed a quarter inch deep outdoors in fall, and it comes up the next spring. For spring, keep it damp in the refrigerator for two months first. Seedlings can take several months to appear." }, { "slug": "florida-bully", "name": "Florida Bully", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow it as gum bumelia is sown. Clean the seed from fruit picked as soon as it turns purplish black, and chill it damp in the refrigerator for 60 days. Sow it in spring under a light cover of soil." }, { "slug": "florida-flame-azalea", "name": "Florida Flame Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light, with no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, at room temperature under lights and a clear cover. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "florida-leucothoe", "name": "Florida Leucothoe", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "No published test gives a sowing method for this seed, so any sowing is a trial. Its heath relatives sprout on the surface of a damp, acid mix in good light, with no chilling." }, { "slug": "florida-maple", "name": "Florida Maple", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Gather the samaras from the tree as they turn brown. Sow them outdoors in fall, half an inch deep in a mulched bed. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "florida-swamp-privet", "name": "Florida Swamp Privet", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "within a week or two of sowing", "guide": "Clean the pulp from ripe fruit, sow the seed just covered with soil, and set the pot in full sun. In one test it began to sprout in a week, and 89 percent came up within seven weeks." }, { "slug": "florida-torreya", "name": "Florida Torreya", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 90, 90 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed must never dry out, and seed sown straight into an outdoor bed comes up worst. Hold it in damp peat and sand at 55 to 65 degrees F for 3 months, then in the refrigerator for 3 more, and sow it in a pot. Germination varies from year to year, and seedlings grow slowly and damp off easily." }, { "slug": "florida-willow", "name": "Florida Willow", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "within days of sowing", "guide": "Willow seed lives only a few weeks, so sow it the day the capsules open. Press it onto the surface of a wet, fine mix and do not cover it. Keep it moist and in good light, and it sprouts within a day or two." }, { "slug": "florida-yew", "name": "Florida Yew", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": [ 150, 210 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Its seed has a double dormancy, and seed sown outdoors in late summer or fall mostly comes up the second spring. Indoors, keep cleaned seed damp at 61 to 64 degrees F for five to seven months, then in the refrigerator for two to four more. Sow it half an inch deep and shade the seedlings their first summer." }, { "slug": "flowering-dogwood", "name": "Flowering Dogwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 120, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the stones from the red fruit and sow them outdoors in early fall, half an inch deep under mulch. Stones held for spring need about four months of cold, damp storage first." }, { "slug": "four-petal-pawpaw", "name": "Four-petal Pawpaw", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.75, "fall": false, "emerge": "within weeks of sowing", "guide": "Sow the seed as soon as the fruit ripens, three quarters of an inch deep, and never let it dry. About half of fresh seed sprouts, often within weeks, but seed kept longer than two weeks will not sprout." }, { "slug": "fragrant-sumac", "name": "Fragrant Sumac", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "file", "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed has a hard coat and a dormant embryo, so nick each seed with a file before sowing. Sow it a quarter inch deep outdoors in fall. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for one to three months first." }, { "slug": "franklin-tree", "name": "Franklin Tree", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow fresh seed in fall, as soon as the capsules split, and do not let it dry. Barely cover it, since it needs light to sprout. For spring, keep it damp in the refrigerator for one to two months first." }, { "slug": "fraser-fir", "name": "Fraser Fir", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow seed outdoors in fall a quarter inch deep, under a mulch of sawdust. For a spring sowing, keep it damp in the refrigerator for one to two months first." }, { "slug": "fraser-magnolia", "name": "Fraser Magnolia", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the red coat off the seed and never let it dry. Sow it outdoors in fall, half an inch deep, under hardware cloth against mice. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for at least 60 days first." }, { "slug": "georgia-bully", "name": "Georgia Bully", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow it as gum bumelia is sown. Clean the seed from fruit picked as soon as it turns black, and chill it damp in the refrigerator for 60 days. Sow it in spring under a light cover of soil." }, { "slug": "georgia-indigobush", "name": "Georgia Indigobush", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": "hot-water", "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Seed has a hard coat that the heat of a fire opens in the wild. Rub the seed out of its pod, then soak it briefly in water just off the boil. Sow it about a quarter inch deep in spring." }, { "slug": "georgia-oak", "name": "Georgia Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 84 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for four to twelve weeks first." }, { "slug": "georgia-plume", "name": "Georgia Plume", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 42, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Much of its seed is empty, and good seed needs a cold spell. Keep it damp in the refrigerator for six weeks to three months, then sow it in a warm room or greenhouse. Seedlings come up in about three weeks and damp off easily." }, { "slug": "godfrey-swamp-privet", "name": "Godfrey's Swamp Privet", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "It is sown as swamp privet is. Sow the ripe fruit as soon as it turns dark blue in late spring, pulp and all." }, { "slug": "golden-heather", "name": "Golden Heather", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Golden heather is hard to raise from seed. In one trial, seed stored cold for two years came up poorly, whether it was kept dry or damp. For its relative woolly beach heather, 60 days of cold, damp storage seems to work best so far." }, { "slug": "golden-st-johns-wort", "name": "Golden St. John's-wort", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.125, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed needs no treatment. Sow it in spring on damp soil and cover it with an eighth to a quarter inch of soil. In a warm greenhouse, seedlings come up in two to three weeks." }, { "slug": "granite-gooseberry", "name": "Granite Gooseberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "It is sown as other gooseberries are. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, an eighth to a quarter inch deep. Most currant and gooseberry seed comes up the spring after sowing." }, { "slug": "gray-birch", "name": "Gray Birch", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 56 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the cones in early fall, while they are still a little green. Sow the seed at once on the surface of moist soil, barely covered, since light helps it sprout. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 4 to 8 weeks first." }, { "slug": "gray-dogwood", "name": "Gray Dogwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 60, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring, some the second", "guide": "Clean the pulp off the stones in September or October and sow at once, a quarter to a half inch deep in an outdoor bed under hardware cloth. The stones want about two months of warmth and then three of cold, so some come up the first spring and the rest the second. Stored seed gets 60 days warm and 90 in the refrigerator before a spring sowing." }, { "slug": "green-hawthorn", "name": "Green Hawthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall so that winter can chill it, and seedlings come up in spring. Each seedling grows a long taproot in its first year, so lift it from the seedbed within a year." }, { "slug": "gum-bumelia", "name": "Gum Bumelia", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the seed from fruit picked as soon as it turns purplish black. Chill it damp in the refrigerator for 60 days, and sow it in spring under a light cover of soil. It sprouts slowly, and tested lots came up at 21 to 44 percent." }, { "slug": "hairy-blueberry", "name": "Hairy Blueberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is small and needs light to sprout. Keep the dry seed in the refrigerator for about 90 days. Then sow it on the surface of a moist, acid mix, uncovered, in light." }, { "slug": "hairy-laurel", "name": "Hairy Laurel", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed stays dormant until heated, as by a ground fire. Tests broke that dormancy by holding the damp seed at 140 to 194 degrees for 10 minutes to 19 hours, the hotter the shorter. Then sow the dust-fine seed on the surface of moist peat at room temperature, in light." }, { "slug": "harbison-hawthorn", "name": "Harbison's Hawthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 120, 140 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring, some the second", "guide": "Soften the fruit in a warm, damp bag for up to a week, then rub the seed clean. Chill the seed damp in the refrigerator for about four months, and sow it in spring. In trials only a fifth to a quarter of the seed sprouted, so sow plenty." }, { "slug": "hercules-club", "name": "Hercules' Club", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": "acid", "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed has a hard coat that keeps it dormant, and it sprouts poorly. Sow it outdoors in fall as soon as it is picked. Even acid-treated seed averaged 31 percent germination in tests." }, { "slug": "hillside-blueberry", "name": "Hillside Blueberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is small and needs light to sprout. Keep the dry seed in the refrigerator for about 90 days. Then sow it on the surface of a moist, acid mix, uncovered, in light." }, { "slug": "hobblebush", "name": "Hobblebush", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 84, 84 ], "warm_days": [ 84, 84 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed has a double dormancy, so keep cleaned seed damp at room temperature for 12 weeks and then in the refrigerator for 12 more. Sow it half an inch deep once the cold is done. Sown outdoors in fall, most of it waits until the second spring." }, { "slug": "honeycup", "name": "Honeycup", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 56, 56 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is tiny and comes up readily. Give it eight weeks of cold, damp storage in the refrigerator. Sow it shallowly in spring in a fine, moist mix." }, { "slug": "hop-hornbeam", "name": "Hop Hornbeam", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 150 ], "warm_days": [ 60, 90 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the hoplike clusters while they are pale greenish brown and sow the nutlets outdoors that fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch. Seedlings come up the next spring. Seed held for a spring sowing needs two to three months warm and damp, then three to five months cold." }, { "slug": "hortulan-plum", "name": "Hortulan Plum", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 80, 100 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the cleaned pits outdoors in early fall, an inch deep, under hardware cloth against mice. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for about three months first." }, { "slug": "indigobush", "name": "Indigobush (False Indigo)", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "file", "light": null, "depth_in": 0.33, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed is a hard-coated legume, so nick the coat, soak it overnight, and sow in fall under hardware cloth, or mice will clean out the bed." }, { "slug": "inkberry", "name": "Inkberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second or third spring", "guide": "Holly seed is slow. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch, and expect seedlings in the second or third spring. Indoors, keep fresh seed damp at about 60 degrees, and most of it sprouts within four months." }, { "slug": "kentucky-coffeetree", "name": "Kentucky Coffeetree", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": "file", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed has a stony coat. File through it, soak until the seeds swell, and sow an inch deep under screen." }, { "slug": "lanceleaf-buckthorn", "name": "Lanceleaf Buckthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the cleaned seed outdoors in fall, so winter can chill it. Seed kept until spring needs damp cold first, so give it 30 to 60 days in the refrigerator, as Carolina buckthorn seed gets." }, { "slug": "laurel-oak", "name": "Laurel Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 84 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Laurel oak acorns have only a mild dormancy, and they sprout the spring after they fall. Sow them in fall half an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for four to twelve weeks first." }, { "slug": "leadplant", "name": "Leadplant", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 14, 56 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "file", "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Nick the hard coat and sow seed in fall in a screened bed, expecting slow, uneven germination." }, { "slug": "little-walnut", "name": "Little Walnut", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall one to two inches deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days first. Never let the nuts dry out, or they will not grow." }, { "slug": "littlehip-hawthorn", "name": "Littlehip Hawthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "It is sown as other hawthorns are. Sow the cleaned seed outdoors in fall. Some seedlings may wait until the second spring." }, { "slug": "littleleaf-buckbrush", "name": "Littleleaf Buckbrush", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "hot-water", "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow it as New Jersey tea is sown. Pour water heated to 180 to 200 degrees over the seed and soak it for 24 hours as the water cools. Then hold it in damp sand in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days." }, { "slug": "live-oak", "name": "Live Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "Live oak acorns sprout soon after they fall and need no winter chill. Sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "lloyd-st-johns-wort", "name": "Lloyd's St. John's-wort", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Many St. John's-worts need light to sprout, so press the fine seed onto damp, sandy soil in spring without covering it." }, { "slug": "loblolly-bay", "name": "Loblolly Bay", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Dry the brown capsules in a paper bag until they split. The seed needs no chilling. Sow it in spring on damp, sandy soil, where it comes up within a few weeks." }, { "slug": "long-stalked-holly", "name": "Long-stalked Holly", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second or third spring", "guide": "Holly seed has a deep dormancy, so sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch. Expect seedlings in the second or third spring." }, { "slug": "longleaf-pine", "name": "Longleaf Pine", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "The seed sprouts within weeks of falling, so sow it in fall as soon as it arrives. Press it into bare, moist soil and scatter a little pine straw over it." }, { "slug": "maleberry", "name": "Maleberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust, 100 to 300 to a capsule, and needs no chilling. Pick the capsules as they turn brown in September and October and keep them dry at room temperature over winter. In spring shake the seed out and sow it on the surface of a moist peat and sand mix, pressed in and not covered. Keep it damp under a clear lid." }, { "slug": "maple-leaf-oak", "name": "Maple-leaf Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 84 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter's chill before they sprout. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for four to twelve weeks first." }, { "slug": "mapleleaf-viburnum", "name": "Mapleleaf Viburnum", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": [ 180, 510 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs 6 to 17 months of warm, damp conditions and then 2 to 4 months of cold. Sow cleaned seed outdoors by May 1, half an inch deep, and seedlings come up the next spring. Seed sown in fall waits until the second spring." }, { "slug": "may-white-azalea", "name": "May White Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light but no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, under a clear cover at room temperature. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "mayhaw", "name": "Mayhaw", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 42, 56 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed outdoors in early fall a quarter inch deep, for seedlings the next spring. For spring sowing, hold it damp in the refrigerator for six to eight weeks first." }, { "slug": "mexican-plum", "name": "Mexican Plum", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the pits and keep them damp, since dried seed soon dies. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, keep them damp and warm for one to two months, then chill them in the refrigerator for two to three months." }, { "slug": "miccosukee-gooseberry", "name": "Miccosukee Gooseberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Its seed is hard to raise, and laboratory tests with many chilling and scarifying treatments failed. Whole ripe fruits pressed partly into bare mineral soil outdoors in July have come up the next spring. Seed left in fruit to rot on potting soil in a greenhouse has also sprouted, though sparingly." }, { "slug": "michaux-sumac", "name": "Michaux's Sumac", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": "acid", "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed has a thick, hard coat. Nick each seed with a file and soak it overnight, then sow it half an inch deep in spring. Seed from wild patches is often empty or sterile, and gardens raise it mostly from pieces of the underground stems." }, { "slug": "minnie-bush", "name": "Minnie-bush", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is tiny and needs light but no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, under a clear cover at room temperature. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "mockernut-hickory", "name": "Mockernut Hickory", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 150 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "soak", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up. For spring, soak them two to four days, then hold them damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 150 days. They come up in late spring and put the first year into the root." }, { "slug": "mountain-bush-honeysuckle", "name": "Mountain Bush-honeysuckle", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow it as southern bush-honeysuckle is sown. Pick the dry capsules in fall and rub out the small seeds. Sow them shallowly in spring, with no special treatment." }, { "slug": "mountain-camellia", "name": "Mountain Camellia (Mountain Stewartia)", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 90, 150 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs a warm spell and then a cold one. Sow it fresh in fall in a protected outdoor bed under fine wire screen, and expect most seedlings the second spring. Indoors, keep it damp at room temperature for three to five months and then in the refrigerator for three months before sowing." }, { "slug": "mountain-doghobble", "name": "Mountain Doghobble", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light, with no chilling. Sow it on the surface of a damp, fine mix, uncovered, under a clear cover in good light. Warm days and cool nights speed it up, and most comes up within four weeks." }, { "slug": "mountain-fetterbush", "name": "Mountain Fetterbush", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed needs no chilling or other treatment. Sow it on the surface of a damp, fine mix at room temperature, under a clear cover in daylight. Most comes up within a month, and the seedlings grow very slowly at first." }, { "slug": "mountain-indigobush", "name": "Mountain Indigobush", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "", "guide": "Other amorphas have a hard seed coat that a winter outdoors helps to soften. Sow the seed outdoors in fall, about a quarter inch deep." }, { "slug": "mountain-laurel", "name": "Mountain Laurel", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 56, 56 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed is dust-fine and needs light. Keep it damp in the refrigerator for eight weeks, then sow it on the surface of moist peat mix, uncovered, at room temperature under lights and a clear cover. Seedlings come up within a few weeks." }, { "slug": "mountain-maple", "name": "Mountain Maple", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "Sow the samaras outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep in a mulched bed. Many of the seeds wait until the second spring to come up. For spring sowing, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days first." }, { "slug": "mountain-sweetbells", "name": "Mountain Sweetbells", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed of its relative mountain doghobble needs light and no chilling, so sow it on the surface of a damp, fine mix, uncovered, in good light." }, { "slug": "mountain-winterberry", "name": "Mountain Winterberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second or third spring", "guide": "Holly seed has a deep dormancy and comes up slowly. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch, and expect seedlings in the second or third spring." }, { "slug": "mountain-witch-alder", "name": "Mountain Witch Alder", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 180, 180 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs at least six months of warm, damp conditions and then three months of cold. Sow it outdoors in fall, and expect seedlings the second spring." }, { "slug": "myrtle-dahoon", "name": "Myrtle Dahoon", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second or third spring", "guide": "Clean the seed from the pulp and discard any that float, since they are not viable. Sow it outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch, and expect seedlings in the second or third spring. For a spring sowing, keep it damp at room temperature for one to two months and then in the refrigerator for two to three months." }, { "slug": "myrtle-oak", "name": "Myrtle Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 84 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout. Sow them in fall under hardware cloth, as deep as the acorn is wide. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for four to twelve weeks first." }, { "slug": "nannyberry", "name": "Nannyberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": [ 150, 270 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed has a double dormancy. It roots during about five months of warm, damp conditions, and then three months of cold lets the shoot grow. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in spring or early summer, half an inch deep, and seedlings come up the following spring." }, { "slug": "nantucket-serviceberry", "name": "Nantucket Serviceberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs three to four months of cold, damp storage. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall a quarter inch deep. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days first. Many seeds wait until the second spring to come up. Some of the seed forms without pollination, and those seedlings match the parent." }, { "slug": "netted-pawpaw", "name": "Netted Pawpaw", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 100 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.75, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow fresh seed in fall, three quarters of an inch deep, before it dries. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 100 days first. Germination is slow, and these are the figures for pawpaws in general." }, { "slug": "new-jersey-tea", "name": "New Jersey Tea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "hot-water", "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow seed outdoors in late fall, half an inch deep in a pot or a screened bed; it comes up in spring. For spring sowing, pour water heated to 180 to 200 degrees over the seed and soak it for 24 hours as the water cools. Then hold it in damp sand in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days." }, { "slug": "ninebark", "name": "Ninebark", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.125, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow seed outdoors in fall an eighth of an inch deep, and seedlings come up early the next spring. For a spring sowing, keep it damp in the refrigerator for two months first." }, { "slug": "northern-bayberry", "name": "Northern Bayberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "For seed, pick the fruit in September or October and rub the wax off on a screen, since seed will not germinate through it. Sow outdoors in late fall under an inch of sand and a mulch pulled off in early spring. For spring, hold it in damp sand in the refrigerator for 90 days first." }, { "slug": "northern-catalpa", "name": "Northern Catalpa", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "For seed, split the pods in late winter and sow the flat winged seeds a quarter inch deep in spring, under screen." }, { "slug": "pecan", "name": "Northern Pecan", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall an inch or two deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels will dig every one." }, { "slug": "northern-pin-oak", "name": "Northern Pin Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "northern-red-oak", "name": "Northern Red Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 45 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout, and they die if they dry out. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 days first." }, { "slug": "northern-white-cedar", "name": "Northern White Cedar", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.125, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow seed outdoors in fall, an eighth of an inch deep. For a spring sowing, keep it damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 days first. Seedlings come up in late spring." }, { "slug": "nutmeg-hickory", "name": "Nutmeg Hickory", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "soak", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up. For spring, soak them two to four days, then chill them damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 120 days. Seedlings come up from late April to early June." }, { "slug": "nuttall-oak", "name": "Nuttall Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "oconee-azalea", "name": "Oconee Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light but no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, under a clear cover at room temperature. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "odorless-bayberry", "name": "Odorless Bayberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Bayberry seed will not sprout through its wax, so rub the wax off on a screen or soak it off in warm water. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in late fall under mulch, and seedlings come up in spring. For a spring sowing, keep it damp in the refrigerator for 90 days first." }, { "slug": "ogeechee-tupelo", "name": "Ogeechee Tupelo", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, an inch deep. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 120 days first. Keep the seedbed wet, since seedlings die where the surface dries." }, { "slug": "oglethorpe-oak", "name": "Oglethorpe Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "White oak acorns sprout within weeks of dropping, so sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "ohio-buckeye", "name": "Ohio Buckeye", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 120, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Ohio buckeye seed dries out and dies quickly, so sow it fresh in fall. Set each seed an inch or two deep with the pale scar down. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for about 120 days first." }, { "slug": "ouachita-indigobush", "name": "Ouachita Indigobush", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "", "guide": "Other amorphas have a hard seed coat that a winter outdoors helps to soften. Sow the seed outdoors in fall, about a quarter inch deep." }, { "slug": "overcup-oak", "name": "Overcup Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 150, 170 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Acorns are unusual for a white oak in that they do not sprout in fall. Soak them for a day, hold them in damp peat in the refrigerator for 150 to 170 days and sow them in spring an inch deep. Or sow in fall under hardware cloth and expect germination in April or May." }, { "slug": "ozark-chinquapin", "name": "Ozark Chinquapin", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The nuts die if they dry out, so keep them cool and damp until you sow. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for two to three months first." }, { "slug": "ozark-witch-hazel", "name": "Ozark Witch Hazel", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow fresh seed outdoors in early October, a quarter inch deep, and mulch the bed. The warm fall soil and then the winter cold break its dormancy, and seedlings come up in spring. For spring sowing, hold the seed damp in the refrigerator for three months first." }, { "slug": "pagoda-dogwood", "name": "Pagoda Dogwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": [ 60, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "Sow the cleaned stones outdoors as soon as the fruit turns blue-black in summer, half an inch deep. They need two months of warmth and then two of cold, so many wait until the second spring. For spring, give stored stones 60 days warm and then 60 in the refrigerator first." }, { "slug": "painted-buckeye", "name": "Painted Buckeye", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Buckeye seed dies if it dries out, so sow it as soon as the husks split in late summer. Set each seed an inch or two deep with the pale scar down. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 90 days first." }, { "slug": "parsley-hawthorn", "name": "Parsley Hawthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 100, 300 ], "warm_days": [ 120, 120 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs a long warm spell and then a long cold one. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, and expect seedlings the second spring or later. For a spring start indoors, keep it damp at room temperature for four months, then in the refrigerator for three to ten months." }, { "slug": "pawpaw", "name": "Pawpaw", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 100, 100 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Seed must never dry out: sow it fresh in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth, or chill it damp for 100 days and sow in spring. Seedlings surface late, sometimes not until July." }, { "slug": "pear-hawthorn", "name": "Pear Hawthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "It is sown as other hawthorns are. Sow the cleaned seed outdoors in fall. Many seedlings may wait until the second spring." }, { "slug": "piedmont-azalea", "name": "Piedmont Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light, with no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, at room temperature under lights and a clear cover. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "piedmont-rhododendron", "name": "Piedmont Rhododendron", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light, with no chilling. Sow it in January on the surface of damp shredded sphagnum moss, uncovered, at room temperature in good light under a clear cover. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "pignut-hickory", "name": "Pignut Hickory", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "soak", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up. For spring, soak them two to four days, then hold them damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days. They come up in late spring and make 3 inches of top the first year while the root goes down." }, { "slug": "pin-cherry", "name": "Pin Cherry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 60, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the cleaned pits in fall, half an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, keep them damp and warm for two months, then chill them in the refrigerator for three months. Even sound seed often germinates poorly, so sow plenty." }, { "slug": "pin-oak", "name": "Pin Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 45 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout, and they die if they dry out. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 days first." }, { "slug": "pinkshell-azalea", "name": "Pinkshell Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light, with no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, at room temperature under lights and a clear cover. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "pinxterbloom-azalea", "name": "Pinxterbloom Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light. Collect the capsules in September as they turn brown, before they split. Sow in January on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, under a plastic tent or mist at about 70 to 75 degrees. It needs no pretreatment and germinates in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "piratebush", "name": "Piratebush", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed sprouts only after a damp spell, so sow it in fall, outdoors near the roots of a host tree. Seedlings live for a while on the food stored in the seed, then need a host's roots to draw on. Cover the sown seed with wire, since animals eat much of the seed in the wild." }, { "slug": "plateau-live-oak", "name": "Plateau Live Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "Plateau live oak acorns sprout soon after they fall and need no winter chill. Sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "plumleaf-azalea", "name": "Plumleaf Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light but no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, under a clear cover at room temperature. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "pond-cypress", "name": "Pond Cypress", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow seed outdoors in fall, a quarter to half an inch deep, on a bed kept moist. Mulch the bed with leaves over winter. For spring, hold the seed damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "pond-pine", "name": "Pond Pine", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 30 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed needs about a month of cold, damp storage in the refrigerator. Sow it in spring, pressed into the surface of a moist bed and covered thinly with pine straw. Keep the bed moist but never flooded." }, { "slug": "pondberry", "name": "Pondberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the seed from the red fruit and sow it outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep. For a spring sowing, chill it damp in the refrigerator for two to four months first. In a seed laboratory test, 84 to 100 percent of chilled seed sprouted. The seed will not sprout while it lies under water." }, { "slug": "pondspice", "name": "Pondspice", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow it as spicebush is sown. Clean the seed from the red fruit and sow it outdoors in fall, a quarter to half an inch deep under mulch, before it can dry out. For a spring sowing, keep it in damp sand in the refrigerator for three to four months." }, { "slug": "possumhaw", "name": "Possumhaw", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second or third spring", "guide": "Holly seed is slow. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch, and expect seedlings in the second or third spring. For a spring sowing, keep it in a damp bag at room temperature for one to two months and then in the refrigerator for two to three months." }, { "slug": "possumhaw-viburnum", "name": "Possumhaw Viburnum", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the fruit once it turns dark blue-black and clean off the pulp. The seed needs no chilling, so sow it half an inch deep in spring. Seedlings come up within a few weeks of warm weather." }, { "slug": "post-oak", "name": "Post Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "White oak acorns sprout soon after they fall. Sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "prairie-crabapple", "name": "Prairie Crabapple", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, half an inch deep. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for one to two months first. Sow early, because the seed sprouts poorly in hot weather." }, { "slug": "prairie-redroot", "name": "Prairie Redroot", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "hot-water", "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Soak the seed for 24 hours in water poured over it at 180 to 200 degrees as it cools. Then chill it damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days before sowing." }, { "slug": "pygmy-fringetree", "name": "Pygmy Fringetree", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 90, 150 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Its seed is hard to raise, with a complex dormancy that resists most treatments. Sow it as white fringetree is sown, outdoors in fall under a mouse screen. Seedlings are few, and they may take until the second spring." }, { "slug": "pyramid-magnolia", "name": "Pyramid Magnolia", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the seed fresh in fall, cleaned of its red coat, and never let it dry. Cover it half an inch deep, under hardware cloth against mice. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for at least 60 days first." }, { "slug": "rabbiteye-blueberry", "name": "Rabbiteye Blueberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Rabbiteye seed is small and needs light to sprout. Keep the dry seed in the refrigerator for about 90 days. Then sow it on the surface of a moist, acid mix, uncovered, in light." }, { "slug": "red-buckeye", "name": "Red Buckeye", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Buckeye seed dies if it dries out, so sow it as soon as the husks split in fall. Set each seed an inch or two deep with the pale scar down. It needs no chilling, and the seedlings come up in spring." }, { "slug": "red-chokeberry", "name": "Red Chokeberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.375, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the seed from the ripe fruit. Sow it outdoors in fall, three eighths of an inch deep. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 90 days first." }, { "slug": "red-elderberry", "name": "Red Elderberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 150 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Clean the seed from the pulp and sow it outdoors at once, a quarter inch deep. It needs the summer warmth and then the winter cold. Most comes up the next spring and some a year later." }, { "slug": "red-hickory", "name": "Red Hickory", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "soak", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up. For spring, soak them two to four days, then chill them damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days." }, { "slug": "red-hills-azalea", "name": "Red Hills Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is tiny and needs light but no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, under a clear cover at room temperature. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "red-mulberry", "name": "Red Mulberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed wants two to three months of cold, damp storage before spring sowing. Press it into the surface, barely cover it, and screen it from birds and mice." }, { "slug": "red-osier-dogwood", "name": "Red Osier Dogwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 120, 160 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the cleaned stones outdoors in fall, a quarter to half an inch deep, and mulch the bed over winter. Seedlings come up the next spring. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for four to five months first." }, { "slug": "red-spruce", "name": "Red Spruce", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Seed needs no chilling. Sow it in spring, barely covered, in a bed kept moist and lightly shaded. Seedlings come up in late spring and grow slowly at first." }, { "slug": "redbay", "name": "Redbay", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "scarify", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": "file", "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the fruit when it turns dark blue, before the birds take it. Sow the seed outdoors in fall as soon as it is picked, and it comes up after several months in the ground. For spring, cut a thin sliver from each seed coat first, since in one test only seed treated that way sprouted." }, { "slug": "rhodora", "name": "Rhodora", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light but no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp peat under mist or a clear cover, uncovered, at room temperature. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "river-birch", "name": "River Birch", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the cones in May or June, while they are still green enough to hold together. The seed needs no chilling. Sow it at once, or in spring, on the surface of moist soil, barely covered, since light helps it sprout." }, { "slug": "rock-elm", "name": "Rock Elm", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": false, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Pick the samaras off the tree in May or June, since chipmunks and mice take the ones that fall. The seed needs no chilling. Sow it at once, a quarter inch deep, and keep the bed moist until the seedlings are up." }, { "slug": "rosebay-rhododendron", "name": "Rosebay Rhododendron", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed is dust-fine and needs light as soon as it is wet. Sow it on the surface of moist peat mix in winter, uncovered, at room temperature under lights and a clear cover. Seedlings come up in about three weeks." }, { "slug": "roughleaf-dogwood", "name": "Roughleaf Dogwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 60 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "Clean the pulp off the stones and sow them outdoors in fall, a quarter to half an inch deep, under hardware cloth. Some seedlings come up the next spring and the rest the spring after. Stored stones need 30 to 60 days warm and damp, then 30 to 60 days in the refrigerator, before a spring sowing." }, { "slug": "roundleaf-dogwood", "name": "Roundleaf Dogwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the pulp off the stones and sow them outdoors in fall, a quarter to half an inch deep, and mulch the bed over winter. Seedlings come up the next spring. Stored stones need about three months damp in the refrigerator before a spring sowing." }, { "slug": "roundleaf-serviceberry", "name": "Roundleaf Serviceberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring, some the second", "guide": "Clean the seed from the fruit at once, before it ferments. Sow it outdoors in fall a quarter inch deep. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days first. Many seeds wait until the second spring to come up." }, { "slug": "runner-oak", "name": "Runner Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 84 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Runner oak acorns need a winter's chill before they sprout. Sow them in fall, half an inch deep, under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for four to twelve weeks first." }, { "slug": "rusty-blackhaw", "name": "Rusty Blackhaw", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": [ 180, 510 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs 6 to 17 months of warm, damp conditions and then 3 to 4 months of cold. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in late fall, an inch deep, under wire against mice. Seedlings come up the second spring, about 14 months after sowing." }, { "slug": "sand-cherry", "name": "Sand Cherry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 100, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the cleaned pits outdoors in fall, an inch or two deep. For spring, chill them damp in the refrigerator for 100 to 120 days first, and keep them damp until sowing." }, { "slug": "sand-hickory", "name": "Sand Hickory", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 150 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "soak", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up. For spring, soak them two to four days, then chill them damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 150 days." }, { "slug": "sand-myrtle", "name": "Sand Myrtle", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is tiny and wants a mist tent or a clear cover. Sow it on the surface of a moist, acid mix at room temperature, uncovered, in good light. Seed of its relative sheep laurel needs no chilling." }, { "slug": "sand-pine", "name": "Sand Pine", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 14, 21 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow seed outdoors from October to January, a quarter inch deep in bare sand. For spring, hold the seed damp in the refrigerator for two to three weeks first." }, { "slug": "sand-post-oak", "name": "Sand Post Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "White oak acorns sprout on contact with damp ground, so sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth against mice." }, { "slug": "sandhill-oak", "name": "Sandhill Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 84 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter's chill before they sprout. Sow them in fall, half an inch deep, under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for four to twelve weeks first." }, { "slug": "sarvis-holly", "name": "Sarvis Holly", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second or third spring", "guide": "Holly seed is slow to sprout. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch, and expect seedlings in the second or third spring. For a spring sowing, keep it damp at room temperature for one to two months and then in the refrigerator for two to three months." }, { "slug": "sassafras", "name": "Sassafras", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 120, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed needs about 120 days of cold, damp stratification. Clean off the pulp and sow it a quarter to half an inch deep in a screened, mulched bed late in fall, since early sowing sprouts before winter. For spring, refrigerate it in damp sand four months first. The oily seed keeps a year or two cold, not much longer." }, { "slug": "scentless-mock-orange", "name": "Scentless Mock Orange", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The small seed needs no special treatment. Sow it in spring on the surface of moist seed mix, pressed in and barely covered, and keep it moist. Shade the seedlings for their first month and do not overwater them, since they are fragile." }, { "slug": "schwerin-indigobush", "name": "Schwerin's Indigobush", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "", "guide": "Other amorphas have a hard seed coat that a winter outdoors helps to soften. Sow the seed outdoors in fall, about a quarter inch deep." }, { "slug": "scrub-hickory", "name": "Scrub Hickory", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 150 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "soak", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Soak nuts two to four days, then chill them damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 150 days. Sow them in spring an inch deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up." }, { "slug": "scrub-plum", "name": "Scrub Plum", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the cleaned pits outdoors in fall, as other plums are sown, under a thin layer of leaf litter to keep them moist. Even in field trials only about one seed in ten came up, so sow plenty." }, { "slug": "seaside-alder", "name": "Seaside Alder", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 42, 56 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.2, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed needs six to eight weeks of cold, damp storage in the refrigerator. Sow it in spring barely covered, about a fifth of an inch deep, and keep the mix wet." }, { "slug": "september-elm", "name": "September Elm", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the seed outdoors in late fall, no deeper than a quarter inch, and seedlings come up in spring. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "shadblow-serviceberry", "name": "Shadblow Serviceberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring, some the second", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall a quarter inch deep, under a mulch. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days first. Many seeds wait until the second spring to come up." }, { "slug": "shagbark-hickory", "name": "Shagbark Hickory", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 150 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 2, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall 2 inches deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels take every one." }, { "slug": "shellbark-hickory", "name": "Shellbark Hickory (Kingnut)", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "soak", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up. For spring, soak them a few days, then hold them damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days. They come up in late spring. Seedlings like light shade the first summer and put their first year into the taproot." }, { "slug": "shingle-oak", "name": "Shingle Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 days first." }, { "slug": "shining-indigobush", "name": "Shining Indigobush", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "", "guide": "Other amorphas have a hard seed coat that a winter outdoors helps to soften. Sow the seed outdoors in fall, about a quarter inch deep." }, { "slug": "shumard-oak", "name": "Shumard Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout, and they die if they dry out. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 120 days first." }, { "slug": "silky-camellia", "name": "Silky Camellia", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs a warm spell and then a cold one. Sow it fresh in fall in a sheltered outdoor bed, and expect seedlings the second spring or later. Few seeds come up, and the seedlings grow slowly." }, { "slug": "silky-dogwood", "name": "Silky Dogwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the stones from the pulp and sow them outdoors at once, while the weather is still warm, a quarter to half an inch deep. Seedlings come up the next spring. Stones kept until spring need three to four months damp in the refrigerator first." }, { "slug": "silverleaf-hydrangea", "name": "Silverleaf Hydrangea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs no chilling. Sow it indoors on the surface of moist seed mix, uncovered, under lights. Seedlings come up in one to two weeks." }, { "slug": "slimleaf-pawpaw", "name": "Slimleaf Pawpaw", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 100 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.75, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow fresh seed in fall, three quarters of an inch deep, before it dries. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 100 days first. Germination is slow, and these are the figures for pawpaws in general." }, { "slug": "smooth-alder", "name": "Smooth Alder (Swamp Alder)", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 30 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed is tiny: chill it damp for a month, then sow on the surface of wet mix in spring, uncovered, and keep it wet under a screen." }, { "slug": "smooth-winterberry", "name": "Smooth Winterberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second or third spring", "guide": "Holly seed has a deep dormancy, so sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch. Expect seedlings in the second or third spring." }, { "slug": "smooth-bark-st-johns-wort", "name": "Smooth-bark St. John's-wort", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Seed is hard to raise. In one trial only 8.5 percent of fresh seed and 21 percent of frozen seed sprouted. Press it onto damp, peaty sand without covering it, since other St. John's-worts need light to sprout." }, { "slug": "softleaf-arrowwood", "name": "Softleaf Arrowwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Sow it as northern viburnums are sown. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall or spring, half an inch deep, under wire against mice. Seedlings come up the second spring after you collect the seed." }, { "slug": "sourwood", "name": "Sourwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed is dust-fine and needs light: sow it on the surface of moist acid mix in spring, uncovered, and keep it misted under a screen." }, { "slug": "southern-bush-honeysuckle", "name": "Southern Bush-honeysuckle", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the brown capsules in fall and rub out the small seeds. Sow them shallowly in spring, with no special treatment. Softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings also root readily." }, { "slug": "southern-catalpa", "name": "Southern Catalpa", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 0.125, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Collect the pods in late winter, once they are brown and dry, since seed left in the pod over winter sprouts better. The seed needs no treatment. Sow it in spring under an eighth of an inch of soil, and seedlings start coming up in about 12 days." }, { "slug": "southern-crabapple", "name": "Southern Crabapple", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed in fall half an inch deep in a screened bed. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for two to four months first." }, { "slug": "southern-magnolia", "name": "Southern Magnolia", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "Rub the red coat off the seed, and never let it dry. Sow it outdoors in fall, half an inch deep, under hardware cloth against mice. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for two to three months first." }, { "slug": "southern-pawpaw", "name": "Southern Pawpaw", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 100 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.75, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow fresh seed in fall, three quarters of an inch deep, before it dries. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 100 days first. Germination is slow, and these are the figures for pawpaws in general." }, { "slug": "southern-red-oak", "name": "Southern Red Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout. Sow them in fall half an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "southern-shagbark-hickory", "name": "Southern Shagbark Hickory", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 150 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "soak", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up. For spring, soak them two to four days, then chill them damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 150 days." }, { "slug": "spicebush", "name": "Spicebush", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Clean the seed from the red berries and sow it outdoors in fall, a quarter to half an inch deep under mulch, before it can dry out. For a spring sowing, keep it in damp sand in the refrigerator for three to four months." }, { "slug": "spruce-pine", "name": "Spruce Pine", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 30 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed needs about four weeks of cold, damp storage in the refrigerator. Sow it in spring, pressed into the surface of a damp bed under a little pine straw." }, { "slug": "squashberry", "name": "Squashberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 90, 150 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs 3 to 5 months of warm, damp conditions and then 3 months of cold. Take it from fresh fruit and sow it before it dries, since fresh seed comes up better than stored seed. Sown outdoors in fall, half an inch deep, it comes up the second spring." }, { "slug": "staggerbush", "name": "Staggerbush", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The dust-fine seed of its relative maleberry needs no chilling. Sow it in spring on the surface of a moist peat and sand mix, uncovered, under a clear lid." }, { "slug": "staghorn-sumac", "name": "Staghorn Sumac", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 150 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "hot-water", "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed has a hard coat. Pour water just off the boil over it and let it stand a day as it cools. Then keep it damp in the refrigerator for at least a month and sow it half an inch deep in spring." }, { "slug": "strawberry-bush", "name": "Strawberry Bush", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 140 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the capsules just before they split. Sow the cleaned seed outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep, before it dries. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 140 days first." }, { "slug": "streambank-mock-orange", "name": "Streambank Mock Orange", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 20, 75 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "A western mock orange sprouts better after a cold, damp spell of 20 to 75 days. Chill the tiny seed in damp sand in the refrigerator, then press it onto the surface of moist seed mix in spring, barely covered. Shade the seedlings for their first month and do not overwater them, since they are fragile." }, { "slug": "striped-maple", "name": "Striped Maple", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "Pick the samaras while the wings are brown but the seed is still green. Sow them outdoors in fall under a quarter inch of soil, since seed left under fallen leaves waits a year. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days first." }, { "slug": "sugarberry", "name": "Sugarberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Rub the pulp off the seed, which stores dry and cold. Sow it outdoors in fall, half an inch deep under a bird screen. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "swamp-azalea", "name": "Swamp Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light, with no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, at room temperature under lights and a clear cover. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "swamp-chestnut-oak", "name": "Swamp Chestnut Oak, select line", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "The acorns sprout soon after they fall and will not keep dry, so sow them on arrival, 1 to 2 inches deep, under hardware cloth against mice and squirrels." }, { "slug": "swamp-cottonwood", "name": "Swamp Cottonwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": false, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "The cottony seed lives only a week or two, so sow it the day it arrives. Scatter it on the surface of wet, bare soil, uncovered, and keep the bed moist until the seedlings are up." }, { "slug": "swamp-doghobble", "name": "Swamp Doghobble", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed is as fine as dust. Sow it on the surface of a moist, acid peat mix, uncovered, and keep it damp under a clear lid in good light. Seedlings are tiny and slow their first season, so leave them in the pot until they are big enough to handle." }, { "slug": "swamp-privet", "name": "Swamp Privet", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "within days of sowing", "guide": "Sow the ripe fruit as soon as it falls in June, pulp and all. It sprouts within a few days. Give the seedlings sun, and in the North shelter them through their first winter." }, { "slug": "swamp-tupelo", "name": "Swamp Tupelo", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the pulp off the seed and hold it damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 120 days. Sow it in spring, half an inch deep, and keep the bed moist but not flooded. Untreated seed can also go into an outdoor bed in fall." }, { "slug": "swamp-white-oak", "name": "Swamp White Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "Swamp white oak acorns sprout soon after they fall and do not store. Sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "sweet-azalea", "name": "Sweet Azalea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light, with no chilling. Sow it in winter on the surface of damp milled sphagnum, uncovered, at room temperature under lights and a clear cover. Seedlings come up in one to three weeks." }, { "slug": "sweet-birch", "name": "Sweet Birch (Black Birch)", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 56 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed needs light. Gather the cones in September as they turn brown, and sow the seed on the surface of a flat of moist mix, barely covered, left outdoors for the winter. For spring, give it 4 to 8 weeks in a damp bag in the refrigerator first. It comes up over 4 to 6 weeks and wants light shade its first summer." }, { "slug": "sweet-pepperbush", "name": "Sweet Pepperbush (Summersweet)", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed is dust fine and needs no chilling. Scatter it on the surface of damp sand or seed mix in spring and press it in without covering it. Keep it constantly moist." }, { "slug": "sweetbay-magnolia", "name": "Sweetbay Magnolia", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the oily red coat off seed and never let it dry; chill it damp for three months, sow in spring an inch deep, and cover with hardware cloth against mice." }, { "slug": "sweetleaf", "name": "Sweetleaf", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "trial", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Sweetleaf is difficult to propagate, and no tested sowing method is published. Treat any sowing of its seed as a trial." }, { "slug": "sweetshrub", "name": "Sweetshrub", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the pods as they turn from green to brown, since seed from older pods rarely sprouts. Sow it outdoors at once, in fall. For spring, keep it in the refrigerator for three months first." }, { "slug": "table-mountain-pine", "name": "Table Mountain Pine", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed needs no chilling. Sow it in spring, a quarter to half an inch deep, and mulch the bed lightly with straw." }, { "slug": "tamarack", "name": "Tamarack", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 20, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow seed outdoors in fall a quarter inch deep. For a spring sowing, keep it damp in the refrigerator for 20 to 60 days first. Germination is often erratic and poor, even in a greenhouse." }, { "slug": "texas-red-oak", "name": "Texas Red Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 84 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for four to twelve weeks first." }, { "slug": "three-flower-hawthorn", "name": "Three-flower Hawthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the seed from the ripe fruit, and sow it outdoors in fall. It sprouts best after a winter in the cold ground." }, { "slug": "titi", "name": "Titi", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Seed needs no cold or warm treatment and can be sown directly. Most seeds do not sprout." }, { "slug": "tough-bully", "name": "Tough Bully", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "It can be grown from seed cleaned of its pulp. Chill the seed damp in the refrigerator for 60 days, as gum bumelia seed is treated. Sow it in spring under a light cover of soil." }, { "slug": "toughleaf-dogwood", "name": "Toughleaf Dogwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 60 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "Sow it as its close relative roughleaf dogwood is sown. Clean the pulp off the stones and sow them outdoors in fall, a quarter to half an inch deep, and mulch the bed over winter. Some seedlings come up the next spring and the rest the spring after. Stored stones need 30 to 60 days warm and damp, then 30 to 60 days in the refrigerator, before a spring sowing." }, { "slug": "turkey-oak", "name": "Turkey Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Turkey oak acorns need 60 to 90 days of damp cold before they sprout, and they will not sprout once they dry out. Sow them in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "two-wing-silverbell", "name": "Two-wing Silverbell", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 60, 120 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs a warm spell and then a cold one. Sow the winged fruits outdoors in fall, and expect most seedlings the second spring." }, { "slug": "umbrella-magnolia", "name": "Umbrella Magnolia", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "first or second spring", "guide": "Clean the pulp off the red seed, and never let it dry. Sow it outdoors in fall, half an inch deep, under hardware cloth against mice. Seedlings come up over one or two springs, and many seeds are empty." }, { "slug": "upland-swamp-privet", "name": "Upland Swamp Privet", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "It is sown as swamp privet is. Sow the ripe fruit in early fall, as soon as it turns blue-black, pulp and all." }, { "slug": "virginia-spiraea", "name": "Virginia Spiraea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the dust-fine seed on bare, damp mineral soil in fall, leave it uncovered, and let winter chill it. Few seeds sprout, and seed from a single wild colony is seldom viable." }, { "slug": "virginia-sweetspire", "name": "Virginia Sweetspire", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is dust-fine and needs light. It needs no chilling. Gather the capsules as they turn brown in late summer or early fall, dry them in a paper bag, and shake out the seed. Sow it in spring on the surface of moist mix, thinly and uncovered, and keep it damp under a clear lid." }, { "slug": "walter-viburnum", "name": "Walter's Viburnum", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "scarify", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "", "guide": "Pick the fruit once it turns black and clean off the pulp. The seed must be scarified, its coat scratched through, and may take several years to sprout." }, { "slug": "washington-hawthorn", "name": "Washington Hawthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 135, 135 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Clean the seed from the fruit and sow it outdoors in fall a quarter inch deep. For a spring sowing, chill it damp for about four and a half months first. Sow it within the year, because stored seed loses viability." }, { "slug": "water-elm", "name": "Water Elm", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed needs no chilling. Sow the warty fruits fresh, as soon as they ripen in spring, and keep the bed moist until the seedlings are up." }, { "slug": "water-hickory", "name": "Water Hickory", "seed": "nuts", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "soak", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow nuts in fall an inch deep under hardware cloth, or squirrels dig them up. For spring, soak them two to four days, then chill them damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 90 days. Seedlings come up from late April to early June." }, { "slug": "water-locust", "name": "Water Locust", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": "hot-water", "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed has a hard coat, so pour water just off the boil over it and let it cool until the seed swells. Sow the swollen seed right away, half an inch deep, since soaked seed does not keep." }, { "slug": "water-tupelo", "name": "Water Tupelo", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the cleaned seed outdoors in fall, an inch deep. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 120 days first. Keep the bed wet but not flooded, since the seed will not sprout under water." }, { "slug": "weeping-hawthorn", "name": "Weeping Hawthorn", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "It is sown as other southern hawthorns are. Clean the seed from the ripe fruit, and sow it outdoors in fall." }, { "slug": "western-mayhaw", "name": "Western Mayhaw", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 42, 56 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow the cleaned seed outdoors in early fall, a quarter inch deep. Seedlings come up the next spring. For a spring sowing, keep the seed damp in the refrigerator for six to eight weeks first." }, { "slug": "white-fringetree", "name": "White Fringetree", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 90, 150 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed has a double dormancy: sow it outdoors in fall under a mouse screen and expect seedlings the second spring." }, { "slug": "white-oak", "name": "White Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "fresh", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "fall", "guide": "White oak acorns sprout soon after they fall and die if they dry out. Sow them on arrival, an inch deep, under hardware cloth." }, { "slug": "white-wicky", "name": "White Wicky", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 56, 56 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "The seed is tiny and needs a cold spell. Keep it damp in the refrigerator for eight weeks, then sow it on the surface of moist peat at room temperature. Leave it uncovered in good light, which the seed of its relative mountain laurel needs." }, { "slug": "wild-black-currant", "name": "Wild Black Currant", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, an eighth to a quarter inch deep, and it comes up in spring. Fall sowing suits it best, because some seed has a hard coat. For spring sowing, keep the seed damp in the refrigerator for 90 to 120 days first." }, { "slug": "wild-hydrangea", "name": "Wild Hydrangea", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0, "fall": false, "emerge": "within a week or two of sowing", "guide": "The seed is as fine as dust and needs no chilling. Sow it indoors in winter on the surface of moist seed mix, uncovered and under lights. Seedlings come up in about ten days." }, { "slug": "willow-oak", "name": "Willow Oak", "seed": "acorns", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 30, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Red oak acorns need a winter before they sprout, and they die if they dry out. Sow them in fall half an inch deep under hardware cloth. For spring, hold them damp in the refrigerator for 30 to 90 days first." }, { "slug": "winged-elm", "name": "Winged Elm", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "plain", "cold_days": null, "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Sweep up the samaras as they fall in April or May. The seed needs no chilling. Sow it at once, no deeper than a quarter inch, and keep the bed moist until the seedlings are up." }, { "slug": "winterberry", "name": "Winterberry Holly", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": [ 60, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs a warm spell and then a winter. Sow it outdoors in fall a quarter inch deep, and seedlings come up the second spring. For a spring sowing, keep it in a damp bag for two months at room temperature and then two months in the refrigerator." }, { "slug": "witch-hazel", "name": "Witch Hazel", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 150, 150 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": true, "emerge": "second spring", "guide": "Seed needs a warm summer and then a cold winter before it sprouts: sow it outdoors in fall an inch deep, screen the bed from mice and expect seedlings the second spring." }, { "slug": "woolly-beach-heather", "name": "Woolly Beach Heather", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Give the seed 60 days cold and damp, the best of the chilling periods tried so far. Sow it in a mix of one part peat to two parts sand. It is fairly hard to raise, and one sowing gave little in the first two months." }, { "slug": "woolly-huckleberry", "name": "Woolly Huckleberry", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 60 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 30 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": null, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Treat it like black huckleberry seed, warm and damp for a month and then cool for two months, around 45 to 50 degrees. Then sow it in a damp peat and sand mix." }, { "slug": "woolly-pawpaw", "name": "Woolly Pawpaw", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 100 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.75, "fall": true, "emerge": "late spring", "guide": "Sow fresh seed in fall, three quarters of an inch deep, before it dries. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 60 to 100 days first. Germination is slow, and these are the figures for pawpaws in general." }, { "slug": "yaupon", "name": "Yaupon", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "warm-cold", "cold_days": [ 60, 90 ], "warm_days": [ 30, 60 ], "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": true, "emerge": "second or third spring", "guide": "Holly seed is slow. Sow cleaned seed outdoors in fall, a quarter inch deep under mulch, and expect seedlings in the second or third spring. For a spring sowing, keep it in a damp bag at room temperature for one to two months and then in the refrigerator for two to three months." }, { "slug": "yellow-anise", "name": "Yellow Anise", "seed": "seed", "keep": null, "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 0.25, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Ripen the pods in a paper bag, since they fling their seed. Keep the seed damp in the refrigerator for 90 days, then sow it a quarter inch deep. Seedlings appear over three weeks to five months, and untreated seed sprouts less." }, { "slug": "yellow-birch", "name": "Yellow Birch", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "surface-cold", "cold_days": [ 28, 56 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": true, "depth_in": 0, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Pick the cones in September, while they still hold together. Sow the seed at once on the surface of moist soil, barely covered, since light helps it sprout. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for 4 to 8 weeks first." }, { "slug": "yellow-buckeye", "name": "Yellow Buckeye", "seed": "seed", "keep": "never-dry", "route": "cold", "cold_days": [ 120, 120 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": null, "light": null, "depth_in": 1.5, "fall": true, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Buckeye seed dies if it dries out, so sow it fresh in fall. Set each seed an inch or two deep with the pale scar down. For spring, hold it damp in the refrigerator for about 120 days first." }, { "slug": "yellowwood", "name": "Yellowwood", "seed": "seed", "keep": "dry", "route": "scarify-cold", "cold_days": [ 90, 90 ], "warm_days": null, "scarify": "hot-water", "light": null, "depth_in": 1, "fall": false, "emerge": "spring", "guide": "Seed has a hard coat: soak it in hot water overnight, chill it damp for three months and sow in spring an inch deep under a mouse screen." } ] }