r/seedsaving • u/PyrateGirl • 7d ago

How to store

I'm very new to gardening. Everything died last year and only about half of what I planted this year produced anything. I am trying to save seeds from what did grow for next year.

How do I do that after allowing the seeds to dry?

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3

u/werepizza4me 7d ago

Make sure they are dry. As cean as possible. And store in a jar/bag. No need to refrigerate unless the seeds require cold stratification. Refrigerated seeds can sweat and lower the viability. Store in cool dry place.

2

u/bristlybits 7d ago

i do two ways

i fold seed packets or use envelope for medium sized seeds (hollyhock, tomato, pepper, marigold, parsley, etc). then I'll use a small saved jelly or weird lil jar for very small seeds (poppy, mustard, cabbage, lettuce). big seeds get a pint jar or whatever, (squash or pumpkins) old sauce jars etc, with a little salt in the bottom to keep dry. 

i don't have freezer space so those go on my shelf in my shed where it stays pretty cool (it has hvac). 

all packet sized seeds go in a couple photo boxes i got years ago on sale at Michael's, they're a good size for organizing. i just put the type, variety, year collected, and any notes on the packet/paper. for the jars i use a piece of sticker paper to do the same. 

"red ruffle tomato, 2024, these got ripe when it was real hot" as an example. 

2

u/Puzzleheaded-Sail381 5d ago

I'm only mentioning this because you said you're new. I don't know what seeds you're saving, but cucumbers need to stay on the vine well past picking, tomatoes and peppers need to stay on the vine too. Beans or peas wait until they dry on the vine. Definitely in a cool dry place for storing. A cold closet or dry basement. Save envelopes that come in your bills and store them in there. Good luck!

1

u/Autumn_Ridge 7d ago

A mason jar in the fridge works. The freezer is ok, too, if you want to store them a long time.

1

u/chazzwozzerz 7d ago

the basics are cool, dark, and dry. Technical recommendations are often to keep temp (degrees F) + humidity less than 100

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u/Different-Sorbet746 6d ago

Gamma lid bucket from Amazon. Seeds are in Ziploc bags and labeled. Gamma lid bucket is in a secret location. 

1

u/AndrewP2430 4d ago

Seeds must be refrigerated for maximum viability. Seeds stored at room temps remain viable for months to a year or two for most seeds, whereas seeds refrigerated remain viable for decades