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If you have leftover vegetable seeds or want to save seeds from your heirloom open-pollinated plants in your garden this year, proper heirloom seed storage is essential to ensure good germination.
Table of Contents
10 Tips for Heirloom Seed Storage
1. Importance of Dry, Cool Storage
They need to be dry and cool no matter where you’re storing your seeds. Humidity and warmth shorten the shelf life of seeds.
2. Ideal Storage Location
The refrigerator is generally the best place for storing your seeds, or else another cool spot in your living space.
3. Recommended Storage Containers
Keep your seeds in plastic food storage bags, plastic film canisters, mason jars with a lid, or glass canisters with gasketed lids.
4. Testing Seed Dryness
You can check your bigger open-pollinated/heirloom vegetable seeds to make sure they are dry enough by smashing a couple with a hammer. If the seed shatters, then it is dry enough.
5. Keeping Seeds Dry
To keep seeds dry, wrap 2 heaping tablespoons of powdered milk in 4 layers of facial tissue, then put the milk packet inside the storage container with the seed packets, or add a packet of silica gel. Do not use oxygen absorbers or vacuum seal them, as seeds need oxygen to remain viable.
6. Organizing Seeds by Year
Store each year’s open-pollinated/heirloom vegetable seeds together and date them. Most seeds last about three years, so you’ll know at a glance which containers might be past their prime when planting season comes.
7. Preparing Seeds for Planting
When you’re ready to plant, remove seed containers from the refrigerator and keep them closed until the seeds warm to room temperature. Otherwise, moisture in the air will condense on the seeds, causing them to clump together.
8. Saving Your Own Seeds
If you’re gathering and saving seeds from your own open-pollinated/heirloom plants, spread the seeds on newspaper and let them air dry for about a week. Write seed names on the newspaper to avoid mix-ups. Pack the air-dried seeds in small paper packets or envelopes and label with plant name, date, and other pertinent information. Remember, only open-pollinated or heirloom varieties will come back true to type; hybrids won’t.
9. Alternative Seed Drying Method
You can also dry saved seeds on paper towels. They’ll stick to the towels when dry, so roll them up right in the towel to store them. When you’re ready to plant, just tear off bits of the towel, one seed at a time, and plant seed and towel right in the soil.
10. Accepting Some Seed Loss
Even with organized and careful storage, accept that some seeds won’t germinate the following year. For example, stored sweet corn and parsnip seeds often have low germination rates, and other seeds may only remain viable for a year or two.
These ten tips for storing your seeds will help you keep your seeds viable for longer!
FAQ: Heirloom Seed Storage
Why is it important to store seeds properly?
Proper storage ensures that seeds remain viable for longer, meaning they will germinate effectively when planted.
What conditions are best for storing seeds?
Seeds need to be kept dry and cool, as humidity and warmth can shorten their shelf life.
Where is the best place to store seeds?
The refrigerator is ideal for storing seeds, but any cool spot in your living space can work.
What containers are suitable for seed storage?
Plastic bags, mason jars with lids, glass canisters with gasketed lids, or even film canisters work well for storing seeds.
How can I check if my seeds are dry enough for storage?
For larger seeds, you can test dryness by smashing a couple with a hammer; if they shatter, they’re dry enough for storage.
Should I use moisture absorbers with stored seeds?
Yes, you can use packets of powdered milk or silica gel to absorb moisture. Avoid oxygen absorbers, as seeds need oxygen to stay viable.
How should I organize seeds from different years?
Keep each year’s seeds together and label them with the date. This helps track which seeds might be past their prime.
What should I do before planting seeds that have been stored in the refrigerator?
Let the containers warm up to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation forming on the seeds.
How should I prepare seeds from my own plants for storage?
Air-dry seeds on newspaper for a week, then pack them in paper packets labeled with the plant name, date, and other details.
Why might some seeds fail to germinate even if stored properly?
Some seeds, like sweet corn and parsnip, naturally have lower germination rates after storage, regardless of storage conditions.
