Shedding those winter coats

Winter is finally here, and yes, it’s time to start thinking about planting seeds! Getting seeds to grow is usually just a matter of placing them in some good potting soil at the proper depth and keeping the soil warm and moist until the seeds germinate. But there are some seeds that benefit from a little help in getting out of their protective skins: large seeds, or those with a particular hard seed coat, or “testa,” such as nasturtiums, morning glories, and moon flowers.

To help water get into the seed, some gardeners use a process called “scarification.” Contrary to what it sounds like, this does not mean scaring seeds out of their skins! It simply means abrading or nicking just that thin outer coating, making it possible for water — a main trigger for germination — to get inside to the embryo.

Some large seeds that look like they’d need scarification, such as bean seeds, germinate easily and quickly. In fact, most vegetable seeds do not need any assistance. If you’re not sure if a seed needs scarification, a way to tell is to soak a few seeds overnight. If they plump up, water is obviously getting in and there is no need to do anything other than to plant them.

It’s important to cut only the seed coat — minor abrasion will do — to avoid damaging the tissue inside. A light scuffing with sandpaper is usually enough. Also, scarify immediately before planting, since the seeds will begin to deteriorate.

Other methods of giving hard-to-start seeds a push in the right direction are soaking the seeds and a process called “stratification.” Obviously, soaking the seeds helps get water into the seeds. Stratification — done in your refrigerator — has nothing to do with geologic time periods. It is a way of mimicking the freezing or chilling period that many seeds normally go through when they remain outdoors through the winter.

To help demystify some of the process of seed germination, the Hardy Plant Society (HPS) is holding a Seed Propagation Workshop next month, led by Alice Doering.

Here are the details: Seed Propagation Workshop with Alice Doering will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan.13, at Jenkins Arboretum, 631 Berwyn Baptist Rd., Devon, PA 19333

The workshop is open to HPS members and nonmembers. In addition to learning the techniques of scarification and stratification, participants will be planting some unusual and hard-to-find seeds. Doering will also demonstrate how to “winter sow” in milk jugs. All materials will be provided. Take home what you plant! A fee of $5 for members and $10 for non-members is payable at the

door. No credit cards accepted. Admission will be free to anyone who becomes a member of HPS at the class, and there will be a new members’ gift as well. Additional information and online registration can be made at http:// www.hardyplant.org/.

Pam Baxter is an avid organic vegetable gardener who lives in Kimberton. Direct e-mail to pcbaxter@verizon.net, or send mail to P.O. Box 80, Kimberton, PA 19442. Join the conversation at “Chester County Roots,” a Facebook page for gardeners in the Delaware Valley. Go to Facebook, search for Chester County Roots, and “like” the page. To receive notice of updates, click or hover on “Liked” to set your preferences.