Question
We always buy live trees for Christmas then plant them on our property. One of our oldest has pinecones for the first time and I thought it might be fun to grow our own. How do we do that? Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hi Diana,
Thanx for your question.  Allow the pine cones to become fully mature and ripen.  When you take the pinecone you will find little nuts inside it.  They are kind of like corn kernels.  I would plant the nuts in a pot of soil and plant about 1 inch deep.  Leave the pot outdoors for the winter and make sure it is regularly watered if it is dry in your area.  The seeds need the cold treatment to break dormancy in the spring when it warms up.  After the last frost, the seeds will begin to germinate and the seedlings will emerge once the soil temperature has warmed above 50 F.  Continue to keep the soil moist but well-drained.  When the seedlings are a couple inches tall start feeding with 1/2 strength balanced fertilizer 12-12-12 according to the directions on the package.  Gently separate the seedlings and grow on in separate pots.  After the seedlings are a year old, transplant them to their permanent homes in full sun.  I hope this helps.
Tom