Throughout the years, I have successfully grown seeds that are more than a decade old. Much of this success can be attributed to the seed variety, but the storage method also plays a crucial role. In this post, I will share my personal tips and tricks for effective seed storage. Regardless of whether you’re saving seeds from a seed swap, your own garden, or store-bought sources, these tips will help you achieve healthy plant growth for years to come.
About Seeds
Seeds are really amazing when you think of all that can come from something that can be as small as a grain of sand. To take a seed and grow a harvest is the most rewarding thing one can do in their life. Seeds hold genetic information needed to produce a beautiful plant and or edible harvest. If you research a little in no time you won’t ever need to buy seeds again. NOW WHAT FUN WOULD THAT BE? I do love seed packages and all the different varieties available to home growers each year so until the seeds are not available I will be adding to my storing seed collection.
NOTE: One of the most important things to keep in mind about seeds is they are not all the same. We have heirloom, hybrid and GMO. As home growers GMO is not usually available nor necessary for growing success. If you know me, YOU KNOW that when I see GMO FREE on home garden seeds at the store it drive me NUTS! The seed would cost way out of any home gardeners budget to begin with not to mention you don’t know that type of seed to grow successful plants or crops in a typical home garden. Seeds I have saved from my crops are all heirloom such as peas, zinnias, beans and corn. Keep in mind that heirloom seeds come back the same as the mother plant. I shared an article years ago after interviewing a fellow gardener and seed company owner explained the 3 different seed varieties to me.
Storing Seeds
Storing Seeds
The three factors that guarantee successful germination are also the same ones that can lead to a loss of seed viability during storage. To effectively store seeds, ensure they are kept in areas free from sunlight, moisture, and excessive heat. By simply maintaining dryness, protecting them from soil, and avoiding exposure to light, you will set the stage for successful germination when the time comes. The office closet in my home is a cool, dry, and dark space. For more than 20 years, I’ve kept seeds stored in a dry container. I’ve even grown a few seed varieties that were left behind by the previous owner. Remarkably, those seeds were over 12 years old when I planted them! There are a few seeds that I have not sown successfully that were saved but most of which here hybrid that had low germination ratio.
Products that Make Storing Seeds Easy
When my family moved to the country, we discovered an old shed filled with some rusty tools. In the cool garage, I stumbled upon a red file holder containing some unique hanging pockets with a few seed packets inside. I had never considered storing seeds until I unearthed this delightful find. As my gardening hobby flourished on social media, I connected with a small company from Illinois that offered ‘seed keepers,’ which taught me essential seed storage tips, including the importance of not sealing seeds tightly in plastic! I still use my original seed keeper kit, but I’ve also crafted my own containers and filing systems to ensure my expanding seed collection remains dry, cool, and shielded from sunlight. Mentioned in the VLOG today are items I recommend and have listed below:
- Stock Paper https://amzn.to/4hoIUGC
- Seed Envelope https://amzn.to/4hoIUGC
- Sharpe China Marker https://amzn.to/4ihyOZo
- Seed Container Box https://amzn.to/4kw6T9I
Please note that I am an amazon Affiliate and if you purchase from the links provided on this content I get a small portion of the sale. I greatly appreciate your support!
Seed Storing Video
Below is the vlog feature for today. I share seed saving tips along with a fun look at the storage kits in my ‘garden shed’.
The video on this page is from my Bren Haas YouTube Channel. Please be sure to subscribe and show support if you are a YouTube user. THANK YOU!
Let’s Connect
In closing I hope you will consider leaving a comment on this blog post. IF you have questions or other thoughts on seed saving please share with me. My social media links are on my about page as well as in contact section on my BrenHaas.com blog.
Happy Gardening,
