This time of year many garden centers discount their seed packets for clearance. It seems any gardener who has “got the bug” for growing things has a stash of seeds somewhere in their home. Either for next season, for an emergency, for a rainy day, or my favorite…JUST BECAUSE!
Saving seeds, either from your heirloom plants or by purchasing extra supply, is a thrifty and smart way to garden.
We will discuss how to save your own seed here on the blog very soon. But for today, I want to tell you how to save those seed packets you’ve been watching go on sale.
Extra seeds, if stored properly, will have a decent shelf life. However, germination rates will drop naturally as time goes by. So, you will need to use and rotate your stash of seeds from year to year, if at all possible. Some seeds, such as lettuce seeds, are only viable for a year or two, even under the best of storage conditions. So make sure to do your research on the varieties you are storing so you know how to properly rotate them. (There is no financial benefit to buying extra seeds only to let them go bad in the storage process!)
How to Store Your Seed Packets
1. Store the seeds in their original packaging, or in a labeled envelope with the date of purchase clearly marked. Place the seed packets in a plastic baggie (optional) and then place in a jar or box with a tight fitting lid. This will protect them from light and moisture. Some seed saving purists will put a little rice in the bottom of the storage container to absorb excess moisture.
2. Place your seeds in a cool, dark location. (I place mine in a cool extra coat closet in our house that we hardly ever open.)
3. You can freeze your seeds, or place them in the refrigerator. However, moisture must be accounted for. Humidity becomes a concern with freezing your seed, as a blast of warm air on previously frozen seeds can damage them if you don’t take steps to prevent harm. Freeze small quantities/packets of seeds. This way you can pull out a small amount of necessary seed without exposing your entire collection of seed to temperature and humidity fluctuations.
4. Remember – you are saving seed to USE. Use your saved seed within a reasonable time frame (usually 1-2 years) and replace with more seed to save. You are not saving seed for ten years down the road. This is why buying heirloom seeds is a great idea – you can save your very own seed and you will not need to buy seeds again. (We will cover this technique in a future blog post, so stay tuned!)
