Seed storage: Proven ways to keep seeds at their best

Where do you store your garden seeds? Do you know if this is the right place to store them? Well, it shouldn’t be complicated to find the right place to store your seeds. Also depending on how you store your seeds your garden could be vigorous or slow to start. Here are the best practices on seed storage and proven ways to keep seeds at their best.

Finding the right place in your home

Ideally seeds should be kept cool, dry, and in a dark area. Seeds will last the longest when the temperatures are in the 50^oF-60^oF (10^oC-15^oC) range.

Usually the best place to find these conditions is in your basement. I like to use a cabinet in my basement that is on an exterior wall because it fits all the requirements.

If you are going to store them in your basement make sure that the area is dry (nothing ruins seeds faster than high humidity). Other areas that are good for seed storage is a room on the north side of your house, a cellar, or a dark closet.

What to store garden seeds in

Seeds should be kept in an airtight container for the best storage. You could use a mason jar with a tightly screwed on lid.

I use small jars with an air-tight seal for the loose seeds that I save from my own garden. I use some jars with screw on lids and other with clamps. These spice jars are perfect for storing seeds in.

Seeds bought in paper packets should also be kept airtight for the best long term storage. You could use a larger mason jar to put the packets into and then tightly screw the lid on.

Does it have to be an airtight container

The short answer is no it does not. If you know that you will use the seeds within a year of getting them or harvesting them you will be just fine without storing them in an airtight container.

The airtight container will just keep them fresher for longer. So use an airtight container for large batches of seeds that you know you will use another year.

The type of packet that your get from a seed company is usually paper and breathable. That type of storage is called open storage. This method is best for seeds that you are not sure are completely dry.

The paper will allow the moisture to leave the seeds whereas if they were in a jar they would spoil. This method is good for short-term storage.

Should I freeze my seeds

One seed storage method is freezing the seeds. Most seed banks that store seeds for the long term will freeze their seeds. This will preserve the seeds for a very long time.

If you would like to use this method at home there are a few precautions you should take. First, make sure that all your seeds are dry. If you freeze wet seeds, they will die in the freezer.

Secondly, only freeze seeds that are stored in an airtight container. This container will help to keep the humidity levels low.

Finally, when you get your seeds out of the freezer let them come to room temperature before opening them. If you open them when it is too cool condensation will form on the inside of the jar soaking your seeds.

I would not use this method if you are going to use your seeds up quickly. This method is great if you are saving seeds and have a large batch that you want to use over several years.

What to use for organizing your garden seeds

Here are some of the items I use for organizing my seeds. I use this old metal ammo box for my seed jars and packets. It has a rubber seal on the lid and it clamps tightly.

I also use this plastic stack of three organizer. Since it is not airtight I use this for seeds that will be used up soon.

Another great way to store seeds is using a picture album tote like this one. I have not used this method although I may in the future.

How long will my seeds last

Here is a chart showing how many years your seeds will last depending on the type. This is how long it is recommended for you to keep your seeds even though the seeds will last longer than the years depicted here. If you would like a more in depth look visit this article on how long vegetable seeds last.

One Year	Two to Three Years	More Than Three Years
Carrots, Celeriac, Celery, Leeks, Onions, Parsley, Parsnips, Scallions, Shallots	Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Eggplant, Lettuce, Peas, Peppers, Summer Squash, Pumpkins, Tomatoes	Cucumbers, Melons, Radishes, Spinach

Do seeds stored correctly grow better

Yes, they do! Seeds that are kept in a cool area, are kept dry, and are not allowed to see light will last longer and have more vigorous growth than improperly stored seeds.

The reason that correctly stored seeds grow better has to due with the seeds endosperm. The endosperm is basically the nutrients that the seed pulls from to germinate.

As the seed ages the endosperm and seed coat can dry up too much and get hard. This leads to either no germination or slow germination and slower growing of the plant. To keep this from happening store your seeds correctly.

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