Growing Woody Plants from Seed

Date and Time

Saturday, Oct 18, 2025 9am - 12:30pm

Location

Details

In this hands-on class, you'll explore the fascinating science behind how woody plants reproduce from seed and how to turn that knowledge into gardening success. We'll cover everything from seed anatomy to the environmental triggers that signal a seed to wake up and grow. You'll learn how to collect, store, and prepare seeds, how to overcome dormancy, and how to give seedlings the best possible start.

Then, we'll take the learning outside. After the lecture portion, you'll head into the arboretum’s gardens to collect seeds from our diverse plant collection—yours to take home and attempt to grow out next spring.

Course Topics Include:
Seed morphology—understanding the structure and function of seeds
Best practices for collecting seeds from woody plants
Proper seed storage to maintain viability
Techniques for overcoming seed dormancy
Germination requirements for different species
Tips for nurturing seedlings into healthy young plants

$60.00 for JCRA Members, $80.00 for nonmembers.