Pinecones in potting barrel- Do I need to "process" the cones first?

For what purpose are you doing this?

Do you want them to grow....better look up how to do this.....someone told me the pine cones need to freeze before they break open and grow....Never tried it however.

Hello VDBarber; I researched this for you, and I found several interesting links, which I hope will be of help for you, with your Wine barrels!!

Have fun and Take Care!

www.blackhillsgarden.com/index.php?p=1_34_CONTAINER-GARDENING

https://food52.com/.../19186-go-pine-cone-foraging-now-be-rewarded-with-happier

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/122512052335861736

https://food52.com/blog/19186-go-pine-cone-foraging-now-be-rewarded-with-happier-potted-plants

I just put the pine cones in the bottom of my pot, cover them with soil and put my desired plants on top without ever having a problem.

If the pine cones aren't open, meaning they haven't dropped their seeds yet, you may wind up with a bunch of baby pine trees. And some pine trees need their cones to be scorched by fire to grow new trees.

Yea and thanks. The potting starts tomorrow

If you plant the whole pinecone, it won't grow. You need to get tightly closed cones and remove the seeds. If the cones are open, the seeds are probably gone. Store them in a dry place or plant them immediately upon removal in potting soil. Use well drained potting soil.

Thanks very much. The black hills garden was extensive and quite interesting.

This is an aside: I keep large pinecones on top of the soil of my potted plants to keep critters from trying to dig in the potting soil. It works.