Term: Stratify

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This is basically a process to trick your seeds into thinking they’ve lived through the same wintry conditions that they’re used to before germination time begins in the spring. Different plants are adjusted to different stratification times and temperatures, but generally one or two months at 34–41°F should do it. Simply place seeds in a lightly moist—not too wet!—soilless media (anything from peat moss to paper towels) in an airtight container in your fridge. Most plants which require this are perennials, such as fruit trees.

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