How to Store Leftover Garden Seeds (2024)

FAQs

How to Store Leftover Garden Seeds? ›

Store your seeds in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Exposure to temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit will greatly decrease the viability of your seed for future planting seasons. Seeds can be stored in sealed containers, plastic bags, and wax or paper envelopes.

One of the more practical methods for storing small quantities is to place leftover seed in sealable jars or other airtight containers and store in a cool, dark area such as the refrigerator (not the freezer). A layer of powdered milk or uncooked rice at the bottom of the container will absorb excess moisture.

In general, store your seeds in a cool, dry, dark place over the winter, and try to use them in the next couple of years. The longer seeds are stored, the less likely they are to germinate well.

1. Alphabetical - all types of seeds are in the same drawer(s) and organized alphabetically by common name. Ex. Beans, Cauliflower, Daisies.

Drying & Storing Seeds

Once your seeds are bare, it's time to dry them. Ideal drying temperatures are between 60 and 100°F (16 and 38°C), and your seeds should be spread out in a thin layer on a piece of parchment paper. Place them in a well-ventilated place. Stir them every day or two to ensure that they dry evenly.

Last week I blogged about the process of collecting seeds. Once gathered, the seeds will need to be cleaned and dried before they can be stored. Some seeds require only minimal cleaning while others need more attention. If you are collecting seeds from non-fruiting plants, gather the seeds on a dry day.

After seed starting, or at the end of the growing season, many gardeners find themselves with partially full seed packets. Do not throw these seeds away, as most will last more than a year after the “sell by” date. Some seeds will keep 10 years (or more!) if carefully stored.

Cool environments that are optimal for keeping seeds in dormancy are ripe for causing water to condense, so airtight containers will be your friend here. Mason jars are favorites with seed savers, while ziptop bags, freezer bags, and other plastic containers with tight-fitting lids will also do the trick.

Ziplock bags, freezer bags and other plastic containers are also great options. If you are planning on keeping your seeds in their paper envelopes for organization, it is especially important to keep them dry as the paper of the envelope can absorb water and impart that to the seeds.

Nearly all seeds remain viable (able to germinate) for at least a year, and a vast majority retain the ability to germinate for at least two years. Once the two-year mark passes, though, many seed germination rates start to decline.

Can I store seeds in ziploc bags? ›

For many years my garden seed storage system was extremely simple and homemade. I stored my seeds in zippered storage bags (think: kitchen ziploc bags). I considered this to be good enough. It got the job done.

Some seeds do not fare as well in storage. Crops like carrots, parsnip, onions, and leeks are notoriously short lived. For these, freezer storage is best as seeds from these varieties that are stored at or near room temperature will quickly lose their ability to germinate and grow.

For good seed storage, always use sealed containers.

After seed has been dried properly, store it in tin cans, metal boxes, glass jars, or plastic bags or container with lids that can be sealed (Figure 25).

Store seeds in tightly sealed glass containers. You can store different kinds of seeds in individual paper packets in one large container. Keep seeds dry and cool. A temperature between 32° and 41°F is ideal, so your refrigerator can be a good place to store seeds.

Keep 'em cold.

Storing your nuts and seeds in airtight containers is the first step, but it's even more important to keep those babies cold. If you plan to use them in the immediate future, it's fine to store the airtight containers in a cool, dark spot in your pantry.

Store seeds in tightly sealed glass containers. You can store different kinds of seeds in individual paper packets in one large container. Keep seeds dry and cool. A temperature between 32° and 41°F is ideal, so your refrigerator can be a good place to store seeds.

You want to keep the area moist, but not so wet or soggy that water runs down the hill. This would only wash away your seeds! A good rule of thumb for soil is keeping it as wet as a wrong-out sponge. Keep soil and seedlings moist until seedlings are about 6 inches tall, when they will be able to survive on rainfall.

Vegetable and flower seeds may be kept for one year without appreciable decrease in germination. Storage may be extended to 10 or more years under proper conditions. Seed moisture and storage temperature are the most important factors in determining how long seed can be stored.