Native Plant Growing Calendar (Month-by-Month Guide)

 October - November — Cleaning, Sorting & Preparation

• Help clean pots, trays, cold frames, and the greenhouse

• Process and store seeds

• Prep greenhouse (remove tarp, organize tables and work areas)

• Begin cold-stratifying the earliest seeds

December — Stratification Continues

• Cold-moist stratify C(60) seeds

• Light greenhouse tidying as needed

• No sowing yet — seeds remain in refrigeration

January — Final Seed Prep & Early Sowing

• Cold-moist stratify final batches (C(10) and C(30))

• First sowing: C(10) seeds

• Sow early slow-growing no-treatment seeds

• Weekly watering volunteers begin this month

February — Main Sowing Season

• Main sowing of C(60) and C(30)

• Sow C(90)

• Continue sowing no-treatment seeds (Code A)

• Water trays, label flats, organize benches

• Begin early up-potting as seedlings emerge

March — Up-Potting & Final Sowing

• Up-pot seedlings from cells into larger cells and quarts

• Sow last fast growers and annuals

• Pot up cuttings and bare-root shrubs/trees 

• Pot up Discovery Center plant divisions

• Weekly watering and greenhouse care continue

April — Hardening Off & Labeling

• Set up outdoor hardening-off area

• Move plants outside on mild days

• Continue up-potting late seedlings

• Label quarts with final plant tags

• Prepare greenhouse tables for transport

Late April — Seasonal Staging

• Move tables to Discovery Center deck

• Move plants from greenhouse to deck and group by category

• Set under-table signs and table labels

• Final watering and grooming

• Pick up additional plants from Pope Farm

Early May — Distribution & Cleanup

Setup Day

• Arrange tables, canopies, and payment station

• Put out plant signs and restocking indicators

Distribution Days

• Help restock tables

• Water plants as needed

• Assist customers as comfortable

Wrap-Up

• Return unsold plants to Pope Farm

• Greenhouse cleanup and supply storage