How to Store Seeds
You don't have to be the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, Norway to save seeds. Too many companies put “expiration dates” on seed packets, but what's the truth? 
The truth is that seeds do not expire. They lose viability if not stored properly. While many seed companies will tell you to replace them every 1-3 years, they can last for decades and will germinate once planted, if kept in a cool, dark, dry place.
Moreover, the records of viability are multiple. In 2007, researchers in Russia discovered a squirrel burrow in permafrost with 32,000-year-old seeds of Silene stenophylla, a flower native to Siberia. In 2012, they used them to grow the flower in the lab, and it was a hit! In 2020, researchers from Israel successfully germinated 2,000-year-old date seeds. In 2015, researchers from China grew and bloomed a lotus flower using a seed that was over 600 years old! But back on topic.
Basically, if you leave your seeds lying around in a cupboard, their germination rate will decrease faster than if you store them carefully. The duration of viability also depends on the type of seed. In general, there are 3 categories for seeds left to themselves
1-2 years and over : Alliaceae such as garlic, chives, shallots, onions etc… Okra, lentils, sweet corn, parsnips, parsley and peppers.
3-4 years and over : Brassicaceae such as broccoli, cabbage etc. and most herbs. Asparagus, eggplant, Swiss chard, beetroot, wheat, carrot, celery, chicory, pumpkin, squash, spinach, fennel, bean, alfalfa, melon, turnip, leek, pea, arugula, soy and tomato.
5-6 years and over : Most flowers, artichoke, basil, celeriac, cucumber, watercress, endive, lettuce, mustard, radish and clover.
That said, that doesn't mean they're no longer viable after a fixed number of years, just as food doesn't suddenly become inedible the day after its expiration date. It just means that from then on, the germination rate will start to decrease over time.
But, there is a but! There are several factors to consider if we want to keep them for years to come, even tens, even hundreds and more!
Humidity : It is imperative to keep them completely dry, in an airtight container.
Light : Photons degrade seeds, so total darkness is preferable.
Temperature : It is not necessary to keep them at -18c like in Svalbard, but the colder they are, the longer they will keep.
If you follow these tips, your seeds can be stored for much longer, and who knows, maybe they'll be found thousands of years from now to break a new record!
The truth is that seeds do not expire. They lose viability if not stored properly. While many seed companies will tell you to replace them every 1-3 years, they can last for decades and will germinate once planted, if kept in a cool, dark, dry place.
Moreover, the records of viability are multiple. In 2007, researchers in Russia discovered a squirrel burrow in permafrost with 32,000-year-old seeds of Silene stenophylla, a flower native to Siberia. In 2012, they used them to grow the flower in the lab, and it was a hit! In 2020, researchers from Israel successfully germinated 2,000-year-old date seeds. In 2015, researchers from China grew and bloomed a lotus flower using a seed that was over 600 years old! But back on topic.
Basically, if you leave your seeds lying around in a cupboard, their germination rate will decrease faster than if you store them carefully. The duration of viability also depends on the type of seed. In general, there are 3 categories for seeds left to themselves
1-2 years and over : Alliaceae such as garlic, chives, shallots, onions etc… Okra, lentils, sweet corn, parsnips, parsley and peppers.
3-4 years and over : Brassicaceae such as broccoli, cabbage etc. and most herbs. Asparagus, eggplant, Swiss chard, beetroot, wheat, carrot, celery, chicory, pumpkin, squash, spinach, fennel, bean, alfalfa, melon, turnip, leek, pea, arugula, soy and tomato.
5-6 years and over : Most flowers, artichoke, basil, celeriac, cucumber, watercress, endive, lettuce, mustard, radish and clover.
That said, that doesn't mean they're no longer viable after a fixed number of years, just as food doesn't suddenly become inedible the day after its expiration date. It just means that from then on, the germination rate will start to decrease over time.
But, there is a but! There are several factors to consider if we want to keep them for years to come, even tens, even hundreds and more!
Humidity : It is imperative to keep them completely dry, in an airtight container.
Light : Photons degrade seeds, so total darkness is preferable.
Temperature : It is not necessary to keep them at -18c like in Svalbard, but the colder they are, the longer they will keep.
If you follow these tips, your seeds can be stored for much longer, and who knows, maybe they'll be found thousands of years from now to break a new record!
Related Posts
18
Dec
23
Nov
23
Nov
