I learned that growing native seeds is different from what I'm used to.

While transforming my yard to support pollinators and wildlife, I searched for many ways to obtain native plants. During that search, I discovered the Wild Seed Project, an organization in Maine dedicated to repopulating landscapes with native plants. One way they support their mission is by collecting native seeds and selling some of them to raise funds.

One year, I purchased seeds from them and learned an entirely new way to grow plants. Up until that point, I was used to planting seeds directly in the ground in the spring after the risk of frost had passed. However, many native seeds require a completely different approach. They need to overwinter in moist, cold conditions in order to germinate.

Following the instructions on the seed packets, I gathered my seed trays, soil, and sand and planted everything in late fall. It felt strange to leave the trays outside in the cold, exposed to snow and winter weather—but that’s exactly what happens when plants reseed themselves in nature. Then, in the spring, I was thrilled to discover that my experiment had worked, and I was rewarded with a bounty of plants ready for my gardens.