I planted a lot of Swamp Milkweed seeds 3 weeks ago for our butteryfly garden here in Southern California. I didn't realize until now that these seeds require 1 month of stratification in the refrigerator. The temperature here has been hovering around 40F to 55F.
Is it too late to save these seeds from permanent dormancy? I was thinking about possibly spreading ice on top of the soil each evening for a week in a last attempt to allow the seeds to get the right signals to start sprouting.
I wouldn't be able to get new seeds and re-plant, I am just wondering if spreading ice would be of any help as a last chance, or a wasted effort since the seeds have already been moist in the ground for 3 weeks.