Storing And Testing Seeds

When you store seeds for safekeeping it’s very important that you make sure you place them in a container that won’t trap humidity in, grow any mold, or cause any disease. Because of this it’s important that your container allow for good air circulation and doesn’t produce any condensation. Plastic typically isn’t a good idea because it allows air to get stale and it promotes humidity as well. You also want to make sure that wherever you’re storing your seeds is cool and dry. A refrigerator will work for this if you can’t find another naturally cool place.

When you’re storing your seeds it’s important that you write the name of the plant, the date, growing instructions, and any particular strain or variety it is on the package. Don’t put it on paper and tape it to the package - it’s much better to write it directly because little bits of paper can get lost by the time you’re ready to plant next year. This is also very convenient if you ever give or trade your seeds with others.

The best route to go is to just store your seeds in paper envelopes which can be bought or made very easily. You can even decorate these or get nice labels if you plant to give them away. Make sure that all your labeling is done clearly and legibly (write on the envelopes before you put the seeds in them) and make sure that you store them in a safe place.

Its a good idea to place seeds inside a larger paper box or a glass jar or some sort along with some powdered milk or silica to absorb an excess moisture that may get trapped in there. Any easy way to do this is to reuse little bags of silica gel that come with new shoes or bags or clothing. You can just dry them in an oven for a few minutes and they’ll work just as well as they did before. Or take a bit of powdered milk and place it in a bit of breathable fabric and tie some string around it to create a small bag that will be helpful in keeping moisture out. It’s also helpful to use tightly sealed jars- like the ones that are used for canning - to prevent any damage to our seeds as you save them. If you store them properly seeds will often last a few years depending on the variety and type of plant.

When you’re ready to start using your seeds its best to sprout a few of them first to see if they’ll germinate which is easily done by placing twenty or so seeds in a damp paper towel and then covering that and placing it in a warm environment. Make sure that you follow proper instructions for sprouting specific seeds as some require light and some don’t which can determine whether or not they sprout correctly. Let your seeds sit for a week and then check to see how many have sprouted. If you have lots of seeds that sprout go ahead and plant with them - if only a few sprout then either increase the number of seeds you use per planting or don’t plant with them at all.

It can be easy and fun to store and save seeds and they also make great gifts for other gardeners especially if you take the time to make lovely labels and envelopes for your seeds. Have fun sprouting and testing your seeds!