How to Store Seeds
Seed storage. How long do seeds really last?
There is only few times in the day you can find me outside in the frigid cold. One is, if I have any bottle calves or lambs to feed, and two would be running out to my car to get it started. Yeah I know what you are thinking, what kind of farm girl are you? My husband calls me the fair-weather cowgirl. I just really really hate the bitter cold! So in the winter you can typically find me warm and toasty on the couch with a cup of tea.
When I get tired of reading or binge watching Alaska the Last Frontier, I like to skim through my Irish Eyes Garden Seeds catalog and see what I should grow in my garden this year. Once I make a list of vegetables to grow I gather all my seed jars and see what seed I can use for this year and what I should just throw away.
Containers to store your seeds in….
Plastic bins: These are inexpensive and you can keep them in there originally package with a filing system to organize your seeds by variety.
Shoe Box: This is the same idea has the plastic bins other than they are free! I like free.
Mason jar: I put everything in mason jars…I have plenty, they are reusable and you can usually find them at Goodwill.
Wooden crate: If you’re handy you could build one! This would be a really great gift for the gardener in your life.
Ideal storage conditions…
Seed stores best in a cool dark spot. So consider a cool dark basement, mudroom, or closet. Freezing seeds is not necessary but you can use a refrigerator to keep the seeds in.
Seed Viability
Beans 5+years
Beets 5+years
Broccoli 5+years
Brussels Sprouts
Carrots 3-5years
Cabbage 3-5years
Corn 5+years
Cucumber 5+years
Celery 2 years
Eggplant 2 years
Kale 5+years
Kohlrabi 3-5years
Lettuce/Greens 2-3years
Herbs 3 years
Onions/Leeks 1 year
Muskmelons 5+years
Peas 5+years
Peppers 3-4 years
Parsnips 1 year
Radish 5+years
Spinach 5+years
Summer Squash 3-4years
Swiss Chard 5+years
Winter Squash/Pumpkins 3-5years
Tomatoes 2 years
Watermelon 3-5years