{"license":"Text © Pollinate Happiness, free for educational use with attribution. Species ranges generalized from USDA PLANTS/BONAP; life-stage months typical for the Northeast.","items":{"common-milkweed":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Pods turn gray-brown, feel soft, and split along the seam; seeds inside are brown, not white.","collect":"Pick pods just as the seam opens. Hold the floss end, strip seeds off with a thumbnail, or shake pods in a paper bag with a coin. Store dry and cool.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow","notes":"Milkweed seed needs a cold period; winter sowing is nearly foolproof."},"swamp-milkweed":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Slender pods brown and split; seeds brown.","collect":"Same as common milkweed. Clean floss off before storing.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow"},"butterfly-weed":{"ripens":[8,9],"signs":"Upright pods turn tan and crack at the seam.","collect":"Bag pods with mesh or organza a week early; they open fast on hot days.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow","notes":"Taproot: transplant seedlings young or sow where they will grow."},"purple-coneflower":{"ripens":[9,10,11],"signs":"Cone turns black and spiny; seeds are tan, wedge-shaped, and hard when pinched.","collect":"Snip dry cones, crush in a bag with gloves (spines), winnow chaff. Leave half for the goldfinches.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow"},"black-eyed-susan":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Centers turn dark and dry; tiny black seeds shake loose.","collect":"Rub dry cones between palms over a bowl.","stratifyDays":0,"sow":"no-pretreatment","light":true,"notes":"Cold improves germination but is optional."},"scarlet-bee-balm":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Round seed heads dry and brown; tiny seeds fall when tapped.","collect":"Invert heads into a bag and shake. Sift through a fine strainer.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow","light":true},"wild-bergamot":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Heads dry and brown; seeds rattle out.","collect":"Same as bee balm.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow","light":true},"showy-goldenrod":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Plumes turn fluffy white; seeds detach with their parachute.","collect":"Strip fluff into a bag on a dry day; sow fluff and all.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow","light":true,"notes":"Collect from the clumping species you want; avoid Canada goldenrod."},"new-england-aster":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Flower heads become fluffy tan puffs.","collect":"Pinch puffs into a bag; no cleaning needed.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow","light":true},"smooth-aster":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Fluffy puffs on dried heads.","collect":"Same as New England aster.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow","light":true},"white-wood-aster":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Fluffy puffs.","collect":"Pinch into a bag.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow","light":true},"joe-pye-weed":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Flower domes turn tan and fluffy.","collect":"Strip fluff on a dry day; sow with the fluff.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow","light":true},"garden-phlox":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Small round capsules turn brown and split with a pop.","collect":"Bag stems early; capsules eject seed. Seed is short-lived, so sow the same season.","stratifyDays":60,"sow":"fall-direct"},"moss-phlox":{"ripens":[6,7],"signs":"Tiny capsules after bloom.","collect":"Not worth chasing.","stratifyDays":0,"sow":"propagate-instead","notes":"Divide or root stem cuttings in early summer."},"little-bluestem":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Seed heads turn silver-white and fluffy along the stems.","collect":"Run a gloved hand up the stem to strip fluffy seed. Sow fluff and all.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow"},"switchgrass":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Airy panicles dry tan; seeds fall when shaken.","collect":"Shake panicles into a bag.","stratifyDays":60,"sow":"winter-sow","notes":"Fresh seed is strongly dormant; year-old seed germinates better."},"dense-blazing-star":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Spikes turn fluffy tan from the top down.","collect":"Strip fluff downward into a bag.","stratifyDays":60,"sow":"winter-sow"},"foxglove-beardtongue":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Pointed brown capsules split at the top.","collect":"Snip capsules, invert and shake out dust-fine seed.","stratifyDays":60,"sow":"winter-sow","light":true},"cardinal-flower":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Capsules along the spike turn brown; seed is like fine dust.","collect":"Cut whole spikes into a paper bag and shake.","stratifyDays":60,"sow":"winter-sow","light":true,"notes":"Keep the surface constantly moist until seedlings are up."},"new-york-ironweed":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Heads become rusty, fluffy tufts.","collect":"Pinch tufts into a bag.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow"},"mountain-mint":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Dry flat heads shed tiny seed when tapped.","collect":"Shake heads into a bag; sift.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow","light":true},"golden-alexanders":{"ripens":[7,8],"signs":"Umbels turn from green to dark brown; seeds ribbed and dry.","collect":"Strip seeds from umbels when brown.","stratifyDays":60,"sow":"winter-sow"},"lanceleaf-coreopsis":{"ripens":[7,8],"signs":"Heads turn brown; flat, dark, winged seeds rattle out.","collect":"Rub dry heads over a bowl.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow"},"woodland-sunflower":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Heads dry; plump gray seeds pull free.","collect":"Collect before finches take them; rub out and winnow.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow"},"red-columbine":{"ripens":[6,7],"signs":"Upright capsules split at the top; shiny black seed pours out.","collect":"Tip capsules into an envelope. Sow soon; fresh seed germinates best.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"sow-fresh","light":true,"notes":"Scatter where you want it in July and let it self-sow after that."},"white-turtlehead":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Capsules brown and split; flat winged seeds.","collect":"Cut spikes, shake out.","stratifyDays":60,"sow":"winter-sow"},"anise-hyssop":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Spikes dry; tiny dark seed falls when rubbed.","collect":"Rub spikes over a bowl; sift.","stratifyDays":0,"sow":"no-pretreatment","light":true},"eastern-bluestar":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Long slender pods turn brown; seeds are cylindrical corky pegs.","collect":"Split pods by hand.","stratifyDays":60,"sow":"winter-sow","notes":"Nick or soak the corky seed 24 hours before stratifying."},"false-sunflower":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Cones dry and darken; wedge seeds pull free.","collect":"Rub out and winnow.","stratifyDays":0,"sow":"no-pretreatment"},"wild-geranium":{"ripens":[6,7],"signs":"Crane's-bill capsules turn brown, then fling seed several feet.","collect":"Bag developing capsules with organza a week ahead or you will get nothing.","stratifyDays":60,"sow":"fall-direct"},"foamflower":{"ripens":[6,7],"signs":"Tiny capsules after the spring spikes.","collect":"Dust-fine seed; tricky.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"propagate-instead","notes":"Divide runners in spring or fall instead."},"golden-ragwort":{"ripens":[5,6],"signs":"Dandelion-like puffs.","collect":"Pinch puffs and scatter immediately where wanted.","stratifyDays":0,"sow":"sow-fresh","notes":"Spreads readily on its own; division is easiest."},"swamp-rose-mallow":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Round capsules turn brown and split into five parts; seeds are dark and round.","collect":"Pick capsules before they shatter; shake out seed.","stratifyDays":0,"sow":"no-pretreatment","notes":"Soak seed 24 hours in warm water before sowing; nick hard seed coats."},"blue-vervain":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Spikes turn brown; small nutlets rub free.","collect":"Strip spikes into a bag.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow","light":true},"evening-primrose":{"ripens":[9,10,11],"signs":"Woody capsules split from the top; seeds are tiny and angular.","collect":"Invert stems into a bag and shake.","stratifyDays":0,"sow":"no-pretreatment","light":true},"common-blue-violet":{"ripens":[5,6,7],"signs":"Capsules split into three boats and shoot seed.","collect":"Just let it self-sow; it does not need help.","stratifyDays":60,"sow":"propagate-instead","notes":"Move plants by division in spring."},"woodland-stonecrop":{"ripens":[6],"signs":"Tiny dry follicles after bloom.","collect":"Not practical.","stratifyDays":0,"sow":"propagate-instead","notes":"Stem cuttings root in days on damp soil."},"lyreleaf-sage":{"ripens":[6,7],"signs":"Calyces dry; four nutlets per flower shake out.","collect":"Shake dry spikes into a bag.","stratifyDays":0,"sow":"no-pretreatment","light":true,"notes":"Self-sows generously."},"sweet-pepperbush":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Peppercorn-like capsules dry brown along the spike.","collect":"Cut spikes, dry indoors, crush; seed is dust-fine.","stratifyDays":30,"sow":"winter-sow","light":true,"notes":"Softwood cuttings in June are far easier."},"buttonbush":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Flower balls turn to hard brown nutlet balls.","collect":"Pick balls, dry, break apart.","stratifyDays":0,"sow":"no-pretreatment","notes":"Sow on constantly wet soil; seed also floats to new spots naturally."},"highbush-blueberry":{"ripens":[7,8],"signs":"Berries fully blue and soft.","collect":"Mash fruit in water; viable seed sinks. Dry on paper.","stratifyDays":90,"sow":"spring-after-cold","light":true,"notes":"Seedlings are slow and variable; hardwood cuttings keep the parent's traits."},"winterberry":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Berries bright red and slightly soft.","collect":"Clean pulp off in water; seed sinks.","stratifyDays":180,"sow":"propagate-instead","notes":"Double dormancy: needs a warm period then a cold one, up to 18 months. Softwood cuttings in early summer are the practical route."},"spicebush":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Drupes glossy red.","collect":"Clean pulp promptly and sow the same week; seed dies if it dries out.","stratifyDays":120,"sow":"sow-fresh","notes":"Sow outdoors in fall in a protected flat; germinates the following spring."},"serviceberry":{"ripens":[6,7],"signs":"Fruit dark purple and sweet (if the birds leave any).","collect":"Mash in water, collect sunken seed, do not let it dry.","stratifyDays":120,"sow":"sow-fresh"},"eastern-redbud":{"ripens":[10,11],"signs":"Flat brown pods hang on the branches into winter.","collect":"Pick pods, split, and shell the hard flat seeds.","stratifyDays":60,"sow":"spring-after-cold","notes":"Pour just-boiled water over seed and soak overnight to soften the coat before stratifying."},"white-oak":{"ripens":[9,10],"signs":"Acorns drop and caps come off easily; discard any with pinholes or that float.","collect":"Gather within days of dropping.","stratifyDays":0,"sow":"sow-fresh","notes":"White oak acorns sprout immediately in fall. Plant an inch deep right away under hardware cloth to foil squirrels."},"black-cherry":{"ripens":[8,9],"signs":"Cherries turn black and soft.","collect":"Clean pulp off in water; dry pits briefly.","stratifyDays":120,"sow":"fall-direct","notes":"Sow outdoors in fall; protect from rodents."}}}