Winter sowing is a good method for germinating echinacea seeds, sowing in the late fall, as that is how they germinate natural ocurring. But to me, if you didn't get germination *artificially*, then perhaps the seeds aren't viable. Artificially to me would be sowing the seeds in a seed starting mix, moistening the mix, placing something over the container to retain moisture, then placing the container in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks; then back to 60-70 for germination. As for winter sowing (or late fall sowing), if you sow the seeds direct to the garden location (in ground), you run the risk of the seeds being washed away or eaten by birds or whatever, and not knowing the seedling ID, could be weeded out. If sowing them outdoors, I still would suggest sowing them in a large container filled with potting mix (not soil) and left where the pot gets ample moisture. Germination would be when the weather warms in spring.
