Place the roots into the hole you created and press the soil around them. Carefully pull the little trees from the dirt, allowing their roots to hang down. Remove the seedlings from their planters by gently loosening the dirt around their roots. You can use a shovel to dig a hole, or you can use a dibble bar to create an opening just large enough for the root system. Plant them in the soil as soon as the ground has thawed enough to allow you to work it. You can plant the seedlings in their permanent homes the following late winter or early spring. Bring them into a sheltered place such as a mud room or garage if the weather is going to be especially cold or stormy, but place them back outside on milder days.Īgain, they will need plenty of sunlight and moisture especially during the winter. You can keep the pots outside as long as they receive enough water, have partial shade during the hotter hours of the day, and are not exposed to weather extremes such as high winds or storms.Īpply a no-nitrogen fertilizer once sometime during midsummer.Īs the weather cools throughout the fall and winter, allow your seedlings to gradually get used to the cold. You will keep the seedlings in their pots throughout the summer months. Allow the soil to drain and partially dry between waterings. Once they grow to about 3 inches, if you have multiple seedlings in one planter, thin them down to one per container.įor the next six weeks or so, keep them in full sun to partial shade. The trees should germinate after several days. Keep them in this warm, sunny environment for about six weeks. Water regularly so the soil doesn’t dry out, but again, be careful of overwatering–you don’t want the soil to be soggy. Keep the planters in a sunny location that is at least 70 degrees during daylight hours. This is the time when the seeds would most likely begin germinating in the wild. This step should be completed sometime between late February and early March. Cover with a bit of additional soil if necessary. Press the seeds about a fourth of an inch into the soil, making sure the pointed tip faces downward. Water the soil until it is moist but not soggy. The containers should be filled with potting mix and a no-nitrogen fertilizer. You can use any size container, but be aware that if you use smaller planters, you will have to transplant the seedlings at least once as they grow over the next year. Plant one to two seeds in each container. Stratifying your seeds can improve the germination rate. This process is known as stratification, and it mimics the conditions seeds would face in the wild while lying dormant through the winter. ![]() Place the seeds in your refrigerator and leave them there for at least 4 weeks. ![]() Once the seeds are dry, place them in a resealable bag, press all the air out, and seal the bag. Allow them to soak for about 24 hours, then remove them from the water, place them in a single layer on sheets of paper towel, and allow them to dry. Next, place the seeds in a bowl of water. ![]() You can do this by carefully cutting it away or gently rubbing the seed between your thumb and finger until the husk falls away. To grow Douglas fir trees from seed, follow the steps below: Step 1: Prepare the SeedsĪfter gathering your seeds from pine cones, you will need to remove the papery material around each seed. Not only will starting your own trees from seed save you money, but you will also feel a sense of pride and accomplishment once your trees are established.
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