❄️ Step 1: Give the Seeds Their “Winter” (Optional)

In nature, Norway Spruce seeds fall in autumn and spend winter on the cold forest floor before waking up in spring. We copy this!

1. Put your seeds in a little plastic bag with a spoonful of slightly damp compost.

2. Seal the bag.

3. Pop it in the fridge (not freezer!) for 4–6 weeks.

   • This is called stratification, but you can call it their winter holiday.

🌤️ Step 2: Planting Day!

After their fridge-holiday, it’s time to wake them up.

1. Fill your pot with moist compost.

2. Make tiny holes with your finger—about 1 cm deep.

3. Drop one seed into each hole.

4. Cover the seeds gently with compost.

5. Water lightly so the soil is damp but not soggy.

☀️ Step 3: Find a Good Home for the Pot

Put your pot:

• On a windowsill that gets light but not hot sunshine,

• Or in a bright room away from radiators.

Norway Spruce babies like it cool—10–18°C is perfect.

💧 Step 4: Watering

Check your pot every couple of days.

• If the top of the compost looks dry, give it a little drink.

• If it still looks dark and damp, leave it alone.

Baby trees don’t like wet feet!

🌱 Step 5: Tiny Trees Arrive!

Your seeds should start to sprout in 2–6 weeks.

You’ll see:

1. A thin green shoot appear

2. Tiny “needles” forming

3. A very cute mini-tree!

🌲 Step 6: Helping Your Tree Grow Big

Once your seedling is a few centimetres tall:

• Move it to a slightly bigger pot

• Keep it in good light

• Water carefully—just enough

• After its first year, you can plant it outside in the garden
  (They love full sun but will also grow in light shade)

🕰️ How Long Until It’s a Christmas Tree?

Growing a Christmas tree is slow but magical.

• After 3 years, it will be about 30–50 cm tall

• After 5–7 years, it might reach 1 metre

• After 10–12 years, you may have a real Christmas tree!

(But many families keep them in pots for years because they look cute.)

⭐ Fun Tips for Kids

• Name your tree!

• Make a “tree journal” to draw how it changes each month

• Measure it with a ruler and see how fast it grows

• Decorate the pot at Christmas (but not the tree yet—it’s too little!)