Who believes it nowin JanuaryThere is nothing to do for the garden, you are completely wrong. Have you ever heard of the so-called cold germs? These are plants that not only enjoy a little cold, but actually urgently need it in order to be able to germinate. And if winter has anything to offer, it's definitely a lot of cold. So it's time to concentrate on these types of plants and make the first preparations for the coming gardening season. Today we will not only give you a few helpful tips on the topic, but will also provide you with a cold germination list so that you can quickly find exactly the plants that you want to grow this year and should prepare accordingly. This is what you should know if you want to sow cold germinators:
Sowing cold germs - What are cold and frost germs?
In addition to the cold germs, there are also frost germs. Both variants are summarized with the term “cold germinator”. In principle, the names already tell you what it is about. Both require weeks of cold stimulus in order to germinate, although the former can also germinate at milder temperatures, while the others require significantly lower temperatures. The seeds collected in the previous year are not yet fully mature and are therefore in a kind of sleep, the so-called seed dormancy. Depending on the plant, different conditions must be present in order to enable germination - some need moisture, others need heat and the cold germinators need cold.
In the latter, abscisic acid inhibits germination during the frosty season. It is a plant hormone that is supposed to protect the plant from freezing by suppressing germination. Only after weeks of exposure to cold can this hormone be broken down so that germination occurs. And then you can also sow the cold germinators.
Where should the seeds be exposed to the cold?
Since this is a natural process, it is only logical that the cold germs can also get the cold stimulus they need outdoors. This means you can also sow your cold germinators outside. But this is also possible in an artificial way in your own four walls: the seeds of the cold germinators are placed in the refrigerator or freezer. This option is particularly practical in warmer winters when you are not sure whether the cold will be enough.
Sow cold germinators – cold germinator list
You'll probably be amazed at how many of our native crops fall into this category. Fruits and herbs in particular are often cool and frost-resistant germinators. For the following plants, among others, you should be aware in advance that you want to sow cold germinators.
Types of fruit
Especially when it comes to local fruit, many representatives of cold germination can be found. These include, for example:
- Apples
- Pears
- hazelnut
- Cherries
- Kornelkirsche
- Mirabellen
- walnut
- Plums
Types of vegetables
Vegetables that require periods of cold to germinate are less common. This is mainly because most of the vegetables grown in our region originally come from warmer areas and are therefore not naturally exposed to long periods of cold. Some exceptions are the following varieties, which you should know in advance that you are going to sow cold germinators in order to take the necessary measures:
- Wild garlic
- Chervil beet
- Meerkohl
As you probably know,there are salads, which prefer and even require cool temperatures to develop good taste. And this makes some people believe that they are also cold germs, but this is not the case.
Sow cold germinators – herbs
Would you like to use the seeds of your herbs from last year again this yearHerbs growallow? Then you should know which ones are cold germinators. If you want to sow cold germinators, consider the following varieties:
- Arnica
- Dill
- hop
- Lavender
- sage
- chives
- Waldmeister
Flowers and perennials
Once you have planned the crops, you might want to sow a few beauties of cold germination here and there. Yes, of course there isalso flowers, which require a few weeks of cold to germinate. These are:
- Adonis florets
- Akelei
- Cyclamen
- Aster
- Bergenia
- Wood anemones
- Christrosen
- Clematis
- Monkshood
- Enzian
- Fetthenne
- Flame flowers
- Bluebell
- Iris
- Mulleins
- Cornflower
- Lavender
- Campion (some species)
- Lily
- Snapdragons
- Mohn
- Daffodils
- Peonies
- Primelgewächse
- Cowslips
- Bleeding heart
- violet
- Forget-me-nots
- Spurge family
Sowing cold germinators – how is it done?
You now know what cold germs are and have gotten to know a selection of representatives. Now you are probably wondering how exactly you should sow the cold germinators so that the seeds actually germinate. Although you probably got the feeling that this was a complicated matter, that is not the case at all. All you have to do is:
In the fridge
Growing potsPrepare with potting soil and sow the seeds. You can then store these containers in the refrigerator or freezer. To do this, first cover it with cling film and let it rest at room temperature for two weeks. Then put them in the fridge for four to a maximum of eight weeks. The seeds can then be moved to a warmer place, ideally even in the garden, if the weather permits (temperatures around 12 degrees).
Or you useKitchen paper and freezer bags. First, soak the seeds in water for 2 hours. Then throw away the water. You can use paper towels as a filter. Then place the wet seeds on new kitchen paper. Make sure the paper is well damp but not wetTo avoid mold formation. Place another sheet of paper on top or fold the one you're already using over once to seal the seeds. Place the paper in a freezer bag, seal it, and place it in the refrigerator for at least a month. If any of the seeds germinate in the meantime, remove them immediately and plant them in a pot until it's time to garden.
“Packed” in sandYou can also cool your seeds. To do this, mix some sand with water in a bowl, then sow your cold germinators in it. Mix well again and squeeze out the water, always taking a small amount of sand in your hand. Place everything in a freezer bag and refrigerate for a month. Remove premature seedlings and plant them directly in pots.
Or giveTorfmoosinto a bowl and gradually add water until you get a consistency that you can form into balls. Work the seeds into this mixture and put everything in the freezer bag like you did with the sand. Let the seeds rest in the refrigerator for at least four weeks, checking occasionally for seedlings and removing them immediately and planting them in a pot.
Sow cold germinators in the garden
If you want to trust nature instead, you can sow your cold germinators outside in the bed and let the low winter temperatures do the rest. Once you have completed one of the two variants, you just have to make sure that the seeds always have a certain amount of moisture. They should also be covered with a thin layer of soil. The rule applies here: the larger the seeds, the thicker the layer of soil must be. Finally, press everything down and spray the surface with water.
Tip for the garden: If you sow the cold germinators outside, there is a risk that birds will eat them over time. So if you had no or hardly any seedlings last year, it doesn't necessarily have to be due to warm weather or a mistake on your part. Maybe there were just no seeds left. You can protect the seeds by laying down a fine wire mesh.
Regardless of whether it is in the refrigerator or in the garden, if you want to sow cold germinators, the ideal time for this is Octoberuntil November, but no later than December or early January (if you use the refrigerator). The first plants should begin to germinate from March to April. Before you transplant them from the pot into the garden, a period of getting used to them is necessary.
Find out what and how you can make your own nursery potsin this article.
