High-quality Seed

Choose high-quality seed varieties from a trusted source. Heirloom seeds typically have a history of consistent production and are recommended for growing plants from which seed can be saved for continued planting.

High-calorie Crops

When storing seed for self-reliance purposes, be sure to include high-calorie vegetables that provide sufficient carbohydrates and proteins to sustain life. Corn, beans, and squash are good options. Vegetables that store well through the winter, such as carrots and cabbage, are also good choices.

Longevity

The USDA states that if seeds are stored at optimum conditions, they can last for hundreds, maybe thousands of years.

Commercially available seed collections that are sealed in metal cans typically offer a 10-15 year shelf life.

In general, larger seeds, such as beans and corn, have greater longevity than smaller seeds.

Humidity

Reduce humidity as much as possible by storing seeds in moisture-proof containers such as a mylar bag, glass jar, vacuum sealer bag, or Ziploc bag.

Use a desiccant (silica gel), if needed.

Be sure that seeds have been properly dried before freezing because water left inside the seed will expand when frozen and destroy the seed.

Oxygen

Remove as much air as possible from seed storage containers. Use a vacuum sealer or an oxygen absorber.

Vacuum sealing extends the life of seeds by removing the oxygen in the storage container and by keeping out moisture.

A popular myth about seed storage is that removing the oxygen from the seed container will kill the seed. However, recent research at the Centre for Genetic Resources in the Netherlands indicates that the effects of oxygen under long-term storage conditions are so severe that oxygen is the limiting factor in the longevity of seeds. See Seeds keep vital much longer when stored without oxygen, Erik Toussaint, Wageningen University, 2014 July.

Light

Avoid light. Never store seeds in direct sunlight or in a well-lit room.

Reduce light exposure by placing a transparent container, such as a plastic bag or a glass jar, into a brown paper bag.

Temperature

Store seeds at a cold temperature of 40 degrees or less.

Keeping seeds at room temperature will cause the embryo to consume its stored sugars within the seed casing and become too weak to germinate.

Freezing seed puts the embryo into suspended animation and will reduce the seed’s need to consume the sugars that are encased inside. This increases the storage life significantly. Freezing is the preferred storage method of leading farmers, agriculturalists, and national seed banks. Place storage seed in the back of the freezer, not on the door. If seed is frozen, it should sit at room temperature for a few days before it is planted.

Avoid fluctuations in temperature such as in a garage that is cold in winter but hot in summer.

When you are ready to use your seeds, keep them in their closed storage container until the seeds come to room temperature in order to prevent the formation of unwanted condensation.

Rotation

When you plant a garden, rotate your seeds.

Saving Seed

If you want to save seeds from your plants, be sure to use heirloom varieties. Hybrid or GMO (genetically-modified organism) plants will not produce reliable seed.

To store your own saved seeds, spread them out and allow them to dry. Follow the same storage guidelines as store-bought seeds.

Be sure to label your saved seeds with the variety name and the date.

Germination Test

Before you plant stored seeds, you may wish to perform a germination test to determine how viable they are.

Dampen a paper towel. Place 10 seeds on the paper towel. Fold the paper towel to fit into a plastic bag. Leave the bag open slightly and place it in a warm spot in your kitchen. Check daily until the seeds sprout. Count how many seeds sprouted and calculate the percentage, or the germination rate.