Seed Instructions

Guide for Planting and Caring for Native Seeds

 

See here [URL embedded] for the Seed Care Guide pdf.

 

For best results, direct sow seeds during fall rains. Alternatively, plant in February or March.

Cover each seed with soil to a depth equal to the seeds widest part.

 

Visit our Native Plant Workshop page [URL embedded] for more information and handouts on how to design your native plant garden.

White fawn lily (Photo: Sherry Kirkvold)
White fawn lily (Photo: Sherry Kirkvold)

Starting Seeds in Pots

1. Prepare the Pots:

  • Use 4-inch pots with drainage holes, filling them with potting soil. Tamp the soil.

2. Sow the Seeds:

  • Five seeds per pot with the exception being tiny seeds like monkey flower which
    could be a ½ inch apart or sprinkled. Having them too close will stunt the plant.
  • Seeds should only be buried as deep as they are long.
  • Good solid contact is key: press seeds into soil with your hand.
  • Tiny seeds can be sprinkled on the surface, lightly pressed in. Optionally, a very light layer of sand can be added that can help prevent seeds from bouncing out
    during rain.

3. Outdoor Care:

  • Use 4-inch pots with drainage holes, filling them with potting soil. Tamp the soil.

4. Watering and Monitoring:

  • Keep the pots moist but not waterlogged. Check moisture levels 2-3 times a week, especially in summer.
  • If growing Camas for more than one year in the pot, STOP watering once the
    plants go into dormancy in summer. Water occasionally, very lightly, if there is an extended drought.
  • Weed as necessary to prevent competition for nutrients.

5. Transplanting:

  • In summer, if seedlings outgrow the small pots, move them to larger pots, ensuring minimal root disturbance. If overcrowded, divide the contents into quarters and transplant into separate pots.
  • Transplant seedlings into the landscape in September or when the heat of
    summer has passed.

Direct Sowing in the Garden

1. Choose the Site:

  • Select a site with minimal soil disturbance, and in compacted areas, loosen the
    soil with a rake.
  • Ensure the site receives sufficient sunlight and/or shade for the species type and is free from heavy foot traffic or frequent disruption.

2. Sow the Seeds:

  • Scatter seeds directly onto the soil surface, ensuring that small seeds are sown lightly. For very tiny seeds, you can mix them with sand to distribute them more evenly.
  • Press the seeds gently into the soil with your hands or cover them lightly with soil based on seed size. Larger seeds should be buried as deep as they are long.
  • Water lightly after sowing.

3. Protect the Seeds:

  • If wildlife are of concern, cover the seeded area with wire mesh. This prevents seeds from being displaced or eaten by animals.
  • The seeds will naturally experience winter weather fluctuations. This aids in their germination.

4. Monitoring and Maintenance:

  • Water the sowed area as needed to maintain moisture, especially during dry spells.
  • Keep an eye on the seeds, as some may germinate the first spring, while others
    may take up to two years to sprout.

 

Modified from the Wild Seed Project, Heather McCargo