Started stratified seed in the ground? I'm forced to try it this way d/t circumstances beyond my control. It seems to be working quite well! Any advice or shared experience?

I have done it for three years now, started with just a few seeds but then switched to planting all my seeds after stratification directly in the ground. There are no problems with the seeds being stratified. I would treat them as any seed planted directly in the soil. I have had excellent germination, just the normal problems with direct planted seeds, of birds, critters and heavy rains washing some of the seeds away.

Well I never. But I have done non-stratified seeds directly into the ground and been successful. Can you please let us know how it goes? The older my knees get, the less I like digging holes for hundreds of seedlings. It didn't even occur to me to stratify my seeds before planting outdoors, but it seems like it would work even better.

Also, if rabbits are a problem near you, I wonder if you want to consider them and maybe spray the area with Critter Ridder or Liquid fence to keep the young sprouts from being nibbled??? Does that sound like a good idea? I think I'd do that.

Good luck!

On YouTube search "Lewis Daylily Garden growing seeds". He (Paul) has a video that shows how he plants his seeds in the ground in 2020 and then in summer '21 he shows digging and dividing the clump of seedlings.

We are rural, so there be bunnies. But our very wicked cat is apparently a good deterrent. I never see them close to the house anymore. This time last year I would already be popping extra-strength Tylenol and slathering my bad shoulder with Aspercreme! Over 100 seeds so far, and I didn't even break a sweat. So much easier! Teaching our new 10 month old puppy to stay "out" of that area is so far successful (knock on wood). Next year I'm going to spring for some kind of portable barrier/edging/fence. But so far I'm encouraged that this old lady can continue to do what she loves.

Edited to add picture of Abby (new puppy) and the Jersey who is helping me show her the ropes.

@SummerBee thanks for steering me to the video. His way looks even easier. I don't trust our weather enough to fall plant, though. I did use a metal dibble and plant each seed individually. And planted much more shallow, probably 1/4 inch. Way easier than digging in my clay soil. I'm hoping with my spacing (4 inches) that I won't have to dig till after bloom, to cull or keep.We will see.

I planted my seeds one to two inches apart just to get as many as I could planted this year, still have lots left in the fridge. I am amazed at how they seem to just grow even when so crowded, and when they get larger by then it seems many have culled themselves and there are empty spaces all over. In a few crowded areas where it seemed the cross produced great seeds that produced great plants they grow large quickly. I don't even try to keep close tabs on them till at least the second year, then there are even more vacant spots, and the plants are large enough to easily see the separate plants. The problem then is that they start to multiply, and where there was only one now there may be two, tree or four. So without a bloom on the plant it is impossible sometimes to tell what is what.

Hi, Tina. I have started seeds directly in the ground a few time's. With varying successes. Lower germination rates usually, longer to mature, critters, but still an option. And less work.
Most of my seeds I start in a cold frame in Sept.
How ever last spring had left over seeds. Planted them directly in ground when seedling were moved from cold frame to seedling bed, in May 1st. Lower germination rate, probably 60/65%. Of course they are smaller than their counterparts that were started in cold frame the previous Sept. But growing just fine.
Have a great bloom season.!!!

@Kennysh I had always heard that germination would suffer, but not seeing that so far. Maybe cos I stratified? Or the shallow depth? Still lots to put in. It's all a big experiment at this point. Will post how it goes in case anyone is thinking of this method.

SummerBee - That's really interesting how Paul Lewis starts his seeds all in the same hole. I've never heard of that before.

Me either, Debra. He also has a very nice blog you can easily find online. But I guess dumping all the seeds in one hole is no different than one solo cup like I do it. Although I try to keep the seeds a little separated. I was surprised he could separate the seedlings out so easily.

I start mine in solo cups in late March/early April. Still cold enough outside that I don't put them in the fridge at all. They grow just fine. I don't care to have every seed germinate anyway. 😎

Ended up finding an affordable, easy to access solution for the pet/rabbit threat. The spiked posts that link the panels keep it stable. Remove a spike and the panel swings out so I can weed. Only 20 inches high, but that's enough. Amazon, actually a pen for small dogs. 503 seeds in a surprisingly small area. I did plant the last 12 crosses they way Lewis does it. They are already coming up. Now to see how they grow. Thanks to @Seedfork for all the helpful pictures of what to expect.

Looking great Tina, Hope you have many great blooms.

I like the fence. Clever idea!