Storing seeds to be sown next winter?

I am buying seeds now to winter sow. I read in a magazine I should put them in an air-tight jar and keep them in the refrigerator. Will that help keep them fresh? Thanks! Cynthia

I've been putting my Echinacea seeds in zip/lock bags in the veggie drawer for years now. They always do very well for me.

I'm sure the jar would work well too.

Have fun. Don't forget I told you winter sowing is addictive. Don't do like me and plant the entire packets of seeds. You will have too many plants to plant. LOL.

I noticed some plants packages only come with 15 seeds in them,,,is that because all will sprout? Also I found some seeds that are two years in my stash should i try sowing them?

jmr

I never store my seeds in the fridge. They're in little ziplock baggies, then stored in a box at room temperature.

There are a few seeds which sprout much better if sown fresh (as in immediately after harvest), but most remain viable for years. Have you heard of the doomsday vault?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault

Karen

I've never heard of it but thinks it's pretty cool...think they will lend my some seeds when mine don't sprout? LOL

jmr

Thanks for the input - I guess it works either way with the seeds...? I just can't wait to winter sow this year and actually grow from seed. My sister in law winter sowed some coneflowers and they are huge and bloomed this year, woohooooo!

Oh, yes, you will have a ball with your wintersowing! Lots of fun.

A veteran seed sower told me to store seeds in the freezer if possible...what you you all think of that?? I had heard of the fridge recommendation before, but not the freezer.

I don't have room in the fridge so I store mine in a box in a cool room.

(I do start some of my perennial seed in damp coffee filters inside zip locks in the fridge to get the 'cold treatment' before regular sowing in pots, though, which works well, by the way.)

Tabasco, why do you put them in coffee filters before you winter sow? Is that for growing them inside under lights?
Cynthia

t.- I also just store my seeds in a box. No fridge or freezer. Works for me.

Karen

Columbine seeds do really well in the freezer. It really helps with the germination of them.

Oh, the coffee filter method (or aka 'Deno Method') is another form of seed sowing. Sometimes I forego the Wintersowing and do perennial seeds using the 'Deno method' if I am starting my seed in late summer and then will plant the little baby plants directly into the ground in fall. Then they will root and grow bigger during the winter and next summer have a chance to mature enough to blossom. You can do a search on DG or Google for details on the 'Deno Method'.

Oftentimes in our climate here, if you start perennials using the winter sowing method they may not be mature enough the first year to bloom. I still like the wintersowing method the best (for me who is forgetful and inattentive so many of my seed sowing indoors, etc., ends in failure.)

Wow, very interesting. I assumed by fall trying to grow plants to go in the ground wasn't a possibility. I will search the Deno Method and check it out. I also bought some Columbine seeds for next spring, Clint, so they are going in the freezer tonight! I learn so much on this site every day! Cynthia