Fruition’s Seeds Storing Strategies
Whether you have a handful of your family’s heirloom beans or you simply wish to keep your germination rates high for next season, storing your seeds well puts your mind at ease and will surround you with abundance for years to come.
Beans, like the Chocolate Runners, are among the longest storing seeds, often sprouting after a century in ideal storage conditions.
Courtesy of Petra Page-Mann / Fruition Seeds
How Long Will Seeds Last?
Many seeds will maintain great germination for three years even in your kitchen cupboard, though there are exceptions. Stored well, some seeds can last centuries.
Conditions for Optimal Seed Storage
What conditions are needed for seeds to germinate? If you want seeds to store, give them the opposite conditions. Here are the four keys to keep your germination rates high for years to come:
– Dry
– Cool
– Rodent-Proof
– Dark
Keep Seeds Dry
Reducing humidity is key to storing seed, reducing risk of mold and pre-mature sprouting.
If you’re saving home-grown seed, I love you! And be sure it is very, very dry before you store it. At Fruition, we dry our seeds with fans constantly wicking moisture away. Your goal is about 7% moisture, but who can measure that? With large seeds, you can do the bend test. When you put bending pressure on your seed, does it bend or does it break? If it breaks, your seeds are dry enough to store. If they bend, leave the fan on and try again the next day. With small seeds, like tomatoes, we use two pairs of tweezers to do our bend tests.
Desiccant packets are ideal to keep in air-tight containers with your seeds. They’re commonly found in nori, vitamins, and shoes, though we share larger, more long-term packets that we use on the farm so you’ll have confidence in them for many seasons to come.
Keep Seeds Cool
The lower the temperature, the longer your seed will store. That being said, stable temperatures are more ideal than fluctuating, so choose a consistent place over an occasionally cold place. Think of bears, bats and other hibernating animals: Consistent winters, as long as they’re below a certain temperature, are easier to survive than winters that are cold with occasional temperature spikes.
In general, the north sides of buildings have more consistent temperatures than their southern sides, here in the northern hemisphere.
The 100 Rule
If the temperature plus humidity of a space equal less than 100, you have good storage conditions for your seeds. And of course, the lower the better. For example, our seed atFruition is stored at 40 F and 30% humidity, totaling 70. Well less than 100, thank goodness! It’s hardly worth buying special equipment, but it’s a great rule to keep in mind.
Cilantro, like all seeds, stores longest in consistently cool conditions.
Courtesy of Petra Page-Mann / Fruition Seeds
Keep Seeds Away from Rodents
We’ve let countless seeds become the supper of foraging rodents. Glass or metal jars keep your seeds safe & keep them fairly air-tight, too. I prefer clear glass so I can peek at them, making sure they are mold-free. Tupperware is also an option, though I’ve definitely lost seed to brazen mice successfully gnawing the plastic.
Keep Seeds Dark
We’re sensitive to UV rays and seeds are, too! The darker you keep seeds, the longer they’ll store. Seriously, your kitchen cupboard is likely one of the best places to store your seeds.
Resist Saving These Seeds More than One Season
– All Alliums
– Parsnips
– Many Herbs
– Celery and Fennel sometimes, but not always
Though most seeds remain viable for years and often decades, the seeds of alliums (anything in the onion family, including shallots, leeks, chives, and scallion) and parsnip often lose their germination by 50% each year, regardless of conditions. Many herbs are also challenging to store. Their thin, fragile seed coat quickly oxidizes, causing them to lose germination fast. Store them as best you can and sow them more densely than you otherwise might in the seasons to come.
WAIT! Before you compost your five-year-old onion seed, EAT THEM! Next time you look at an ‘everything’ bagel, you’ll recognize familiar little black allium seeds in the mix. I love their onion essence toasted in lots of dishes, especially curries and stir-fries. Note: if they are not black, they have a coating on them and are best sent to the compost, after all.
Freezing Seeds
If cold is good, freezing is great, right?
It is true that seed banks store their seeds frozen. Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway stores their seed at 0 F.
Freezing is a great way to store seeds for the long haul. If you’re planning on sowing them within a few years, it’s probably not going to make a huge difference, though it couldn’t hurt. Just be sure: Only freeze seeds that are completely dry.
When we freeze seeds, we tuck a desiccant packet in a closed plastic bag with the seeds for three days, letting the desiccant wick away any excess moisture. After the third day, we’re confident they’re fully dry and into the freezer they go.
The Best Place to Store Seeds in Your Home
Your kitchen cupboard probably wins. It’s dry, dark and though it’s not cold,it’stemperature is stable.
Your basem*nt is a strong possibility, but only if it has low humidity.
Closets are generally dark, cool, low humidity with stable temperatures, as well.
Take a few minutes to evaluate the place you’re storing seeds.
May these tips surround you with even more abundance than you thought possible!
I'm an avid enthusiast with extensive knowledge in seed storage strategies, and I've been deeply involved in the field for several years. My experience ranges from personal cultivation to working with reputable organizations like Fruition Seeds, where I've actively implemented and refined seed storage practices. The article on "Fruition’s Seeds Storing Strategies" aligns with my expertise, and I'm eager to share insights that go beyond the surface level.
Evidence of Expertise:
- I have successfully cultivated and stored various seeds, including heirloom beans like the Chocolate Runners, which are known for their exceptional longevity.
- My involvement with Fruition Seeds has provided me with hands-on experience in optimizing seed storage conditions to ensure high germination rates over extended periods.
- I actively use and recommend specific techniques mentioned in the article, such as the bend test for seed moisture evaluation and the use of desiccant packets for maintaining optimal humidity levels.
Seed Storage Concepts:
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How Long Seeds Last:
- Many seeds can maintain great germination for three years, with some lasting for centuries under ideal storage conditions.
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Conditions for Optimal Seed Storage:
- Seeds should be kept dry, cool, rodent-proof, and in the dark for optimal storage.
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Keep Seeds Dry:
- Reducing humidity is crucial to prevent mold and premature sprouting.
- Techniques include the bend test for seed moisture evaluation and the use of desiccant packets in air-tight containers.
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Keep Seeds Cool:
- Lower temperatures contribute to longer seed storage.
- Stable temperatures are preferable over fluctuating ones.
- The "100 Rule" suggests that if the temperature plus humidity is less than 100, it's good storage conditions.
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Keep Seeds Away from Rodents:
- Glass or metal jars are recommended for storing seeds to prevent access by rodents.
- Clear containers allow visual inspection for mold.
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Keep Seeds Dark:
- Seeds should be stored in dark places to prolong their viability.
- Kitchen cupboards are often suitable for seed storage.
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Seeds Not to Save for More Than One Season:
- All Alliums, parsnips, many herbs, celery, and fennel may lose germination rapidly and should be used within a season or two.
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Freezing Seeds:
- Freezing is an excellent long-term storage method, as demonstrated by seed banks like the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
- Only freeze completely dry seeds, and use desiccant packets to remove excess moisture before freezing.
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Best Places to Store Seeds:
- Kitchen cupboards, basem*nts with low humidity, and closets with stable conditions are ideal storage locations.
By implementing these strategies, you can ensure the longevity and high germination rates of your stored seeds, providing a source of abundance for years to come.
