Overwintering + Cold Stratifying

I’ve got some honeyberry plugs on the way and I’m also planning on cold stratifying some tree seeds outside this winter – alder, senna, Goumi, a few others. Also have a couple small potted plants like a mulberry and some hopniss.

What’s a good way to overwinter all of this?

My current plan is to use milk crates as sort of portable beds. I’ll push them together on the north side of my house to limit sun and help prevent freeze/thaw cycles. I’ll cover them each with hardware mesh to protect from rodents and then throw some dirt up next to them and lots of hay around and above them for insulation. Then I’ll just hope that enough moisture gets to them from snow etc.

Does that sound reasonable? I don’t mind failing and learning, but losing a whole year to a bad plan feels rough!