Hi Panoply, Here is what works best for me. I collect sassafras fruits as mentioned earlier on this thread. Gently rub them over a metal screen with water to remove the blue covering. Sow seed either in a prepared seedbed or sow in individual pots or cells, I cover seed with sand. These can be left outside but must be protected as I mentioned earlier. I have no experience with putting seed in refridgerator. I wouldn't begin to know how to scarify sassafras seed. The seed coat is not at all hard, think of it like a tiny avocado seed. Work quickly with cleaned seed, don't allow it to dry up and shrivel. The seed will germinate April/May of next year. One thing about sassafras, it will continue to flush with growth throughout the season. Pictured here is an average seedling you might have this time next year.

I actually found a blog of someone with a 22yr. Old twin trunk peony tree. And asked him about it. I'm thinking I need to let those branches come up and let it photosynthesize a few years...then after bloom cut them back to the trunk. Keeping the twin trunk that I desired. Though...time and blooms may change my way of thinking. At this point...I think I still want that twin trunk. But...Depends on how quickly I can form a canopy on the two trunks to produce flowers. Flowers may win out...though they are short lived. So structure of the tree also plays a favor. (I also do bonsai...so the structure of it may win out...only time will tell) The response I got from the blogger: "Yes, you can absolutely keep it with two trunks. As the plant matures, it will send up more new growth from the roots. You can either keep these and allow the plant to become a full multi-stemmed shrub, its natural habit, or thin them out if you like the way it looks with just two main trunks. Next year’s buds form on this year’s new growth, so you should not cut back any of this. Tree peonies don’t require much pruning, especially when young, because they are slow growing plants, let it photosynthesize as much as possible for the first few years. Let me know if you have any other questions. Best- Dan"

I had carrot and tomato seeds which have germinated 9 months later (in same plot). Whatever the reasons for not germinating, if you have extra seeds, you can put out a few more in the same spots again. It's why some people will overplant an area and remove the unneeded plants when they reach a certain size. However, since it looks like they are growing in a pot, it's very unlikely they were washed away. As they are still in the pot with what looks like adequate drainage, they are fine and will still germinate for you as long as there was no problem with the seeds.

I'm trying potatoes for the first time this year. Growing mine in 10 gal grow bags. I planted almost 2 months ago, then layered up soil as they grew. Kept them in my small greenhouse for the first month but then I put them outside a bit too early and some got bit by frost from a cold wind one night (blackened early leaves). Most of them grew out of it though (although a few died). Started from regular grocery store potatoes that I chitted and cut in two, 4 per bag. About 3/4th of what I planted are growing.