Alternatives to paper towelling

   Just thought I'd mention that over the years I have stratified seed in several different ways including cluttering up my fridge with dozens of tiny seeded pots of soil. I tried paper towelling, which got moldy even in the fridge not to mention the root growing through the paper problem and the not being able to see them problem. So I went back to halfsized (snack sized) plastic zip-lock baggies containing a few tablespoons of pre-moistened vermiculite or potting soil and the seed. I label the exterior with indelible marker telling the name of the seed, the date of stratification, expected length of stay in fridge, the interior with the little plastic stake marked in pencil which will eventually go into the pot. All of the baggies go into a plastic box to safeguard them from accidental knocks and crushings. I can get a whole garden into two sandwich sized tupperwares. When the time comes to sow these seeds in pots, I sow it all, the vermiculite and the seed, then insert the prelabeled stake. Very easy.
   What germinated in my fridge: dictamus, certain kinds of pine and ash, and camassia.
   Happy sowing, Hannah         Zone 4
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