Although there may be snow on the ground, now’s actually a great time to start thinking about sowing the native seeds I collected late fall. The seeds I sow are native to my area, which means many wildflowers actually need to experience a winter cold period before they will germinate.

I sow my seeds in a weed-free seedbed that’s tucked out of the way in a shady location. By springtime, they’ll be ready for their new home, and I can feel good that these plants will support plant diversity.

More to learn about native-friendly gardening:

• Step up your gardening game with PlayCleanGo’s easy tips on weed-free gardening.
• The North American Invasive Species Management Association runs a program for Certified Weed Free Products, including forage, gravel, and mulch. Prevent invasive weeds from crowding out your native plants: see if there’s a local producer near you.