How can i preserve vegetable seeds for future planting.?
Question:I have a quantity of seeds, that I intend to use for planting
two months apart, how must I put them up without damaging their germination.
Answers:
Hi,
How long do you need to store them for? This will help decide how to store them.
Basically, for storing seed, you need to create the opposite conditions to germination. So, if germination needs warm, moist conditions, storage needs cool, dry, dark conditions.
First dry your seeds somewhere airy (its the breeze that dries them, not the heat) for several days depending on the size of the seed. If you can dent them with your nail, they're not dry.
Then pop them in an air-tight container.
If you put them in an air-tight container before they're properly dry, they'll suffocate. So if they're not dry (which is ok if you're not storing them for long) DON'T put them in an air-tight container, a paper bag in the fridge should be ok.
Seeds prefer stable conditions while they're dormant, so a garden shed is one of the worst places to keep them.
hope this helps!
There's more info on www.dyfivalleyseedsavers.co.uk
Imogen
my mom always just stuck them in envelopes and put them in a dry spot. they always grew when planted.
You can always put them in your refrigerator for good safe dry cool conditions. Seems to always work. Put them in a like ziploc container. Some people even say freezer but frig is probably okay for a couple of months. If you do use freezer be sure to leave the container with lid out on counter unopened for a couple hours to allow seeds to acclimate to room temperature.
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