I forget the germination needs of lavender. I vaguely recall a discussion here about putting them in a baggie w/ a wet paper towel and putting them somewhere warm like the top of a refrigerator -- but I could be misremembering. Search the back posts here for more info. Or google "lavender germination" to see what Dr. Google has to say.

FataMorgana

They like it warm and light. And they like to be right on top of the surface of the soil. I didn't do any stratification with my lavender and it all came up great -- but my house temp stays above 70 (usually 75-80). At lower temps, it gets fussier.

Well, I just checked a Seed Germination Database (linked below), and they had different results than I. The database does recommend cold stratification, cooler growing temps, and says germination is is 21-90 days (mine sprouted on day 7).

Might be a difference based on type of lavender. Or, maybe you just need to wait longer at lower temps -- that is how many seeds are.

Still confused about the requirement for cold stratification. The only way my seeds got that is if the nursery did it before shipping out the seeds.

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed Germination Database

Most sowings fail for one simple reason: the seed is covered too deeply. As Alan Chadwick used to say, "Over cover, and you won't get germination. Under cover and you will still get germination (providing you don't let the seeds dry out). As a general rule, cover seeds approximately three times their diameter. The website below has a good description of general sowing techniques.

Here is a link that might be useful: Alan Chadwick