How to Store Your Left-Over Seeds

I’m sure you have some seeds left over every year when you get through planting your garden(s).  The way you store these seeds will determine if you are able to get the seeds to produce when you do plant them.  

Seeds that are poorly stored  - in warm, moist conditions – will most likely be diseased and they will not give you the harvest that is expected.  It is best to store your unused seed in an airtight container and put in a cool, dry place as soon as you can. 

They will last for several years if storage is done properly.

Not all seeds have the same life span.  Some seeds last a lot longer than others.

• One to Two Years – Corn, onion, leeks, rhubarb, parsnip and parsley.

• 2 to 3 Years  – Asparagus, beets, broccoli, beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, kale, lettuce, okra, peas, peppers, radish, spinach, turnip and watermelon. 

• 3 to 5 Years - Tomatoes, eggplant and cucumber.

Some of the varieties may last a little longer or not as long as the times mentioned above 

When you store your seed during the winter months, keep them in a place that has humidity of 45% or less and a mean temperature of 40° to 50° F.  If they are kept in these ideal conditions your seeds will last their assigned life span and produce plentiful harvests year after year.

Most seeds, based on the number of years they will produce, can be divided into three categories;

• Short Life – The seeds of the vegetables in this category will last for a maximum of two seasons – corn, leeks, rhubarb, parsnip and parsley.

• Medium Life – These seeds will most often last from two to three years – Asparagus, beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, kale, lettuce, okra, peas, peppers, radish, spinach, turnip and watermelon.

• Long Life - Tomatoes, eggplant and cucumber all last three to five seasons.

Some of the varieties may last a little longer or not as long as the times mentioned above.
 
Before you order your plant seeds you should have your garden planned and you should know exactly where each plant will be planted in your garden. You should already know how many seeds you would need to accomplish your well thought out garden plans. 


The more you know about your garden before you plant your first seed, the better your  entire garden will be and the better your crop will be.  


It is best if you choose plants and vegetables that are native to your part of the country.    These native seeds will produce a better crop because they have, for centuries, adapted to that particular region.