Many native plant seeds need to experience cold temperatures and moist conditions to break dormancy. This is a natural process that you can either mimic by placing your seeds in the fridge for a particular amount of time —or, to keep it easy, just sprinkle directly in your garden beds!
Leave herbaceous plant stems in place for additional food for birds and habitat for stem-nesting bees. Dried plant stems are loaded with ripened seeds that feed different bird species—we often observe goldfinches this time of year : ) Plants with hollow pithy stems are habitat for many native bee species who burrow inside to overwinter.
Cut dried flowers. Your stems and seed heads also add interest throughout the winter, bringing continued life to your garden and inspiration for dried flower bouquets and other art pieces. Embrace bringing the outdoors in to help keep the winter blues away!
