Storing Seeds

While the planting season may be over, there is still some work to be done before we can sit back and relax for the winter. One of these things might be doing something with left over seeds.

If you’re anything like me, you probably have some left over seeds from this past season. Maybe you’re wondering if they will “last” and germinate after so long. The good news is, Yes! Your seeds will carry over into the next season – and beyond – with proper storage. This is great news because now you can buy seeds off the clearance rack with confidence as stores look to get rid of their stock and save some money on next years planting.

There are a few things you should know when it comes to seed storage. In order for seeds to remain viable (produce strong seedlings) and have a good germination (sprouting) rate, you need to keep them dry (low humidity), cool, and in a dark place.

My favorite way to store seeds is in a glass jar with a lid that has a rubber seal. I store seeds right in the jar if I have enough, or I store the seeds in the original packet, right in the jar. It’s perfectly fine to store different varieties together in the some container. I have also put seed packets together by type and stored them in a ziplock bag. Don’t forget to label the container. Then, store in a dark place. Light will actually break down the seed coating, which opens the ability for bacteria and fungus to break in and destroy your seed.

Seeds prefer to stay cold, so you might even store your seeds right in your refrigerator or freezer. Suggested storage temps are under 50F. A handy tip I learned is that ideal storage is the total degrees F + the % of humidity should be under 100. If you aren’t sure about your humidity, you can buy a hygrometer that will measure the humidity in the air. I bought mine right on amazon and it serves a couple of purposes around here – i also keep track of the humidity in my egg incubators with it. Very handy.

Keep your seeds dry – both before you intend to store them, and during the storage process. You can buy desiccant packs to place in each storage jar to help remove moisture and ensure your seeds stay dry. Additionally you can buy silica gel at most craft stores and make your own – or even vaccuum seal your containers. Make sure your seed packets don’t get wet – once your seeds get wet, it’s very difficult to store them with success.

Germination Test: If you are questioning whether your seeds will sprout before taking the time to plant them in your soil, you can perform a germination test. Take a few seeds and place them on a moist paper towel. Fold it up and place inside a ziplock bag, then place the bag in a temperature controlled area that matches the best temp for germination for that plant. After the number of days suggested for germination, take a look and see how many sprouted. This will give you a good idea on whether they will sprout or not – but this won’t be a good indication on viability – often, viability will decrease before germination rates will, so even though the seed will sprout, it may not grow strong.

Here is a handy chart!

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