Whether you’ve saved your own seeds from the vegetable garden or purchased quality seeds, storing seeds properly will allow you to keep them as long as possible. Here are some tips for successfully storing seeds for the garden and how to keep them in the best condition for long-term storage.
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The Disappointment of Storing Seeds Incorrectly
We’ve all been there: We save leftover seeds over the winter (because we gardeners are a frugal bunch, and why would we throw away seeds?). As spring arrives, we excitedly plant them, anxiously awaiting the appearance of sprouts. And we wait some more.
Finally, we realize the seeds we saved appear to be duds, and just like that, a hopeful garden season starts on a disappointing note and we’re suddenly behind schedule.
The following are some tactics to help you take care of those seeds you hold so precious, so that not only do they last as long as possible, but they also store at their best quality so springtime planting is a success. (Or at least in the case of failure we can rule out seed quality as the culprit!)
Start with Completely Dry Seeds
I cannot overstate the importance of starting with dry seeds!
For example, one of my favorite seeds to save is cilantro (coriander), but I always wait a few days after a rain before harvesting the seeds, and I let them dry out for up to a month before I store them.
The two greatest enemies of stored seeds are high temperature and high moisture.”
—Suzanne Ashworth, Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners
So, if you’ve saved your own seeds, be sure that the seeds are thoroughly dried before storing.
Would you like to grow more food with less effort? Check out my mini guide, The Permaculture Inspired Vegetable Garden.
The Best Conditions for Storing Seeds
Airtight containers are important for storing seeds—the containers can be glass, metal, or plastic. I store my seeds in seed envelopes in a large, airtight, plastic container. However, I also like to use Mason jars, but I trust myself less with them when I go outside to plant. I’m always worried that I’ll drop and shatter glass in the garden!
I also save the silica gel packets that come in shoe boxes and vitamin bottles and add them to my seed-saving containers as a safeguard against moisture. If you don’t have any of these things lying around, they are inexpensive to purchase and can be reused again and again.
Here are the gel packets that I’ve purchased in the past.
Seeds should be stored in a dry, dark place with consistently cool temperatures—like a cupboard. I store my seeds in the dark basement.
Storing Seeds in the Freezer for Long-term Storage
For long-term storage—or if you don’t have a basement or cupboard with consistent temperatures—consider freezing (completely dry) seeds in a glass jar. The refrigerator is second-best, since temperatures aren’t as consistent there.
Recovering Seeds from the Freezer or Refrigerator
This part is so important for keeping the quality of seeds!
To recover seeds from the freezer for use:
- Set the jar out on a kitchen table or shelf for 12 hours so it can reach room temperature. This will prevent moisture from condensing on the seeds. (Remember, moisture = enemy #1)!
- Expose the seeds to air by opening the lid for a few days before planting.
Refrain from moving seeds from the freezer to room temperature more than once, as each transfer will reduce the viability of the seeds.
Organizing Seeds: Ensure That You Can Find & Use Those Well-Stored Seeds!
Having a system for keeping seeds organized allows you to take stock of what seeds you have, so you don’t end up buying seeds you already own. It can also help you keep track of your seeds by age, so that older seeds are used first, and expired seeds are composted instead of planted.
Each seed packet has an origination date on it, which is the date the seeds were collected. (If you collect your own seeds, be sure to date your own packets!) Using this number can help you quickly sift through seed packets and categorize them by year if you need to.
There are two ways I like to organize seeds: card catalog style and Mason jar style. Your storage organization will largely depend on your lifestyle and environment, but no matter which style you choose, be sure it is an airtight solution that keeps seeds dry and cool.
Don’t forget your silica gel packets!
Organizing Seeds with the Card Catalog Style
Are you old enough to remember library card catalogs? Use a rectangular airtight container that is deep enough to store seed packets standing up. Make sure the lid fits well when full. I love this method because all the seed packets live together in one or two containers.
Dividers can help you find things even quicker. Seeds of a certain type can be catalogued in order of their origination date, so older seeds get used first.
A plastic shoe box transforms into a card catalog style seed organization box.
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Organizing Seeds with the Mason Jar Style
Mason jars allow you to store seeds in smaller units. For example, you could store short-lived seeds in the freezer so you can ensure their viability until the next growing season, while longer-lived seeds may store okay under the bed or in a cupboard.
How you organize your Mason jars will depend on your storage needs and how many seeds you’re storing. If you’re a tomato lover, store all of your tomato varieties together in one Mason jar.
Or, try themed gardens in Mason jars (which make great gifts!). Seeds for a spring garden, a salad garden, or a salsa garden could store well together in one jar.
All of my lettuce seed varieties fit into this gallon size mason jar.
However you organize your seeds, be sure to keep track of seed origination dates.
Seed Viability
As seeds age, their germination rate naturally declines. All seeds will stay viable for at least a year, and storing seeds properly can allow many seeds to remain viable even longer. Here’s an idea of how long different types of seeds can last with optimal storage conditions:
Short-lived Seeds (1 to 2 years):
- okra
- onion
- parsley
- parsnip
- pepper
- sweet corn
Intermediate Seeds (3 to 4 years):
- bean
- beet
- cabbage family (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, etc.)
- carrot
- celery
- eggplant
- leek
- pea
- pumpkin
- spinach
- squash
- tomato
- turnip
- watermelon
Long-lived Seeds (5 to 6 years):
- cucumber
- lettuce
- radish
Getting Out Your Seeds in the Springtime
If you need some tips for getting your seeds started in the spring, check out my guide to starting seeds indoors.
TIP: Toss expired seeds into a wild section of the garden. Sometimes they produce a surprise crop!
At our community garden, we had a “Seed Toss” each year at the season kick-off party. It was fun to see what would grow in the wild area! In my home garden, I’m getting a nice little surprise crop of butternut squash!
All in all, storing storing seeds properly will allow you to make the most out of your investment and have a successful garden season with high quality seeds.
What’s your favorite method for storing seeds?
READ NEXT:
- How to Prepare for the Winter Garden
- Protect Cold Weather Crops with a Cold Frame
- When to Start Seeds: Your Guide to Fall Planting
Lady Nona Luna says
Having a small seed bank at hand has been both a bane and a source of pride… I have dealt with the loss of seeds from moisture as well as failure to germinate for unknown reasons. Its always fun to see what I can get to return year after year, for free, I would love doing permaculture but the hubby is a lawnmowin junkie LOL. I really enjoyed the info on the seed lifetime… never realized that they were different, although it makes sense… knowing some plants produce every year and some at varying intervals. Something new for me to learn about. All in all an excellent article. I like your blog very much. Thanks so much for taking the time to share. Namaste.
sara says
Do you think coffee cans work for storing seeds? My basement is old, damp and drystack stone, I am not sure if this would be a good location and there is not enough room in the fridge. I have a lot of seeds?
Amy says
My concern with the coffee cans is about the moisture getting through. I feel like the metal can “sweat” if there’s moisture in the air. As long as you use a good number of those silica gel packets in the cans to absorb the moisture, they should be okay. It’s worth an experiment, anyway. Perhaps try it with a few seed packets before betting your whole collection on it!
Cindy G says
Thanks for sharing! So informative! As a new gardener, I thought simply laying the seed packets out are totally fine! Oh, my! That would have been quite a disappointment.
Jason says
The Seed Collection advises to not store in the freezer for vegetable seed will likely be killed. I ‘d be interested in knowing your thoughts on this.
Also, rice may be an alternative to desiccants for moisture control.
Amy says
All seed banks freeze their seeds for long term storage, so even though many vegetable crops are sensitive to frosts, their seeds are not. That’s why tomato seeds can sprout up in subsequent years, even though the ground froze over winter. 🙂
However, it’s important to not expose the seeds to temperature/humidity changes, which is why they should be stored at the back of the fridge/freezer as opposed to on/near the door.
Denise says
can I use pill plastic bottle to store my seeds?
Liam says
should i use both silica gel packets and oxygen remover packets?
Amy says
You can use both if you like for longer-term storage. If the container is airtight, the oxygen removers will likely not contribute much for annual storage.
Phillip DuRousseau says
Thanks for the info. I am retiring after 27 years of Army service and plan on going all in on our produce farm. I want to buy seeds now for planting in spring; was concerned about how to save them until then. This was a big help.
Sharon says
Can you store seed packets in a air tight container with rice all around them to keep moisture from building up instead of silica packets?
Amy says
Yes, this should work. 🙂
Connie Nelson says
Im curious about saving seeds in purchased envelopes or home made ones. I’m thinking the paper might contain something harmful to the seed. Is there a safe seed packet you can recommend?
Amy says
Personally, I think any envelopes will be fine and safe.
JudyThomason says
I don’t see a reply from you where the person asked about storing seeds in pill bottles?
Amy says
Any airtight container will do.
Anthony Martin Guzik says
Will storing seeds in a cedar cigar box damage the seeds?
Amy says
A cigar box wouldn’t damage seeds per se. However, it may not sufficiently protect seeds against moisture. Be sure to store the box in a dry place.
Anita says
My Burpee Organic seed packages don’t have an origination date. They do have a “Packed for:” date, but just the year is given. Is there a way to discover their actual origination date?
Amy says
The “packed for” date should be sufficient for making decisions about seed viability.
Gene says
In a future update perhaps you could explain how to fully dry seeds. I have heard the test is that when a seed “snaps” when you break it, it’s dried for storage. But if it bends or mushes, it is not dry enough
Question is: how do we get our seeds that dry?
Thanks!
Amy says
Seeds need time to dry before being stored. I usually spread mine out on an old window screen in a dry environment for a month or so. Smaller seeds need less time, bigger seeds need more. And yes, you can use the snap test to check them.
Judy Burns says
Thank you for all that you do! Can seeds be freeze dried? All seeds?
Amy says
Since I don’t have a freeze dryer, I can’t answer from personal experience. However, this article has some great advice: https://backyardhomesteadhq.com/can-you-freeze-dry-seeds/.
Jennifer says
Can you use a dehydrator to dry the seeds? I would assume so but ??
Amy says
I wouldn’t put garden seeds in a dehydrator. The goal is to gently dry the seeds at room temperature, but not completely desiccate them. Even the lowest dehydrator temp is above normal air temps. (They’re alive!)
Christina says
GREAT information! And I appreciate your clear and concise answers as well!
I do have a question – how many seeds should you store together? For example, I saved all the seeds from 3 med size pumpkins; as you can imagine that is a lot of seeds. I’ve roasted some but still have a full cookie tray of them left to dry and store. If I use a 4.5” by 9.5” envelopes, how many per envelope? Or does it matter?
Thank you
Amy says
The only time it might matter how many seeds you store together is if the seeds weren’t truly dry and mold takes over. If you divide seeds into smaller collections, then if there’s a “bad egg”, it won’t ruin the whole lot, just the one collection.
Tonye-Marie says
If storing in freezer how would you store just the amount you want to take out for a single planting? Would you be able to store individual envelopes in plastic container then just take out the single envelope and let dry out as suggested above or would all the seeds be compromised that are in the plastic container?
Amy says
Yes, your idea would work for storing single plantings and would help to reduce temperature fluctuations for the remaining seeds.