I have a burning question about the best way to store seeds .....
I just read an article in a gardening magazine that says:
Improperly stored seeds may have dried out and should be discarded. Be sure to store seeds in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.
So .... now I feel like a total idiot. I have never stored any seeds in the refrigerator. And some are just in paper envies.
I guess my other question is:
If not stored properly, how long would most seeds last?
Anyone know?
Seed storage
I always store my seeds in fridge in zip lock bag
Donna - How long would they be good without being in the fridge?
if you store in a cool dark place should be good for a year but not positive. Some seeds are good for 50 years Morning Glories I have read. Would really depend on the seed I guess
I just never knew. Most seeds sold at stores are in paper packets or ziplock bags. It just never ocurred to me that they should be kept in a cold, dark place. Though most of mine have been in my house (with A/C running) and in envelopes. Does that count? lol
After collecting and drying them (if necessary) it wouldn't hurt to store the seeds in the fridge if you won't use them until spring. How long seeds stay good depends on the species. Some stay good many years without that, some have to be used the next year or current year. I get confused just thinking about which is which!
How about only worrying about putting hard to find seeds or more valuable ones in the refrig? The amount of seeds that I have in this room could not fit in my refrigerator!! lol
I just do what I can do. Mine are currently in a variety of bags and containers and are now safely stuffed inside of a big plastic bin with a lid. Dark and fairly cool. Works for me!
Oops...just remembered there are still paper sacks of seeds in the garage. Oh, but they are cool and dark too. Just found an even better place for my seeds right now. lol
I store my rare yellow morning glory (ipomoea ochracea) seeds in the refrig. I also keep the bigger fleshier seeds like hyacinth beans, passion flower, tamarind etc there too. The rest are in a couple of rubbermaid boxes in the computer room - I figure since the central air keeps everything cool they will be fine. Not sure if the smaller seeds would dry out faster...but oh well...like some of ya'll said...all the seeds would never fit in the frig. However, considering how hot our summers get I don't leave them outside. Did that last year when I was trying to dry out some apple gourd seeds - a dratted mouse chewed 'em all up! UGH!!!
Got to thinking...the best place for ya'll to store your seeds is underground...so if you need that sort of storage space I'll gladly sow them underground in the back forty!!! HA! HA! Sorry...couldn't resist :o)
~ Cat
This message was edited Jan 7, 2007 10:42 AM
ROFL! Good one, Cat! Me, too! I'll take just about any seeds! LOL