Can you go into a bit more detail? What seeds are you hoping to grow and why do you feel they need to be stratified in the fridge?

"better too late than not at all". But that only applies if they needed stratifying in the first place. For many seeds 'not at all' would be fine. And in DC for hardy stuff like shrubs, trees or perennials you could just use the temperature outside to do the work.

Good points, I collected some common milkweed and sneezeweed (h autumnale) seeds in the summer/fall and had wanted to try growing them this year. But I kind of got distracted and they are still in baggies.

i guess my question is do I still have time to mix them in moist peat moss and refrigerate, then start them inside? (Last frost here April 15 I think)

or should I just try again next year?

Thanks

Helenium autumnale has no moist chill requirement, although sometimes a brief period of 2-4 weeks may improve germination. Same is true of Asclepias syriaca, keep in mind germination may be slow.

In a Z7, I'd be tempted to sow and place outdoors where temp changes between day night might be helpful with these hardy perennials.

How would I do that? Sow in pots/flats and just put them outside until spring? Would I water or just ignore them?

Exactly. No need to water unless there is no rain or snow. You can protect the surface of the mix with a thin layer of grit plus some wire netting if birds or animals are likely to dig in the pots.