How to store your seeds in the best possible way

Got some leftover seeds from last season’s cultivation? Don’t worry! By storing them in the correct way, you can save them and plant them as soon as it’s time again. We’ve gathered our best tips so you can store your seeds the right way.

If you’re in a rush, here’s the short version: always keep your seeds in a dark, cool and dry place. It’s crucial that you keep the seeds away from moist. If you want to find out more about storing your seeds, continue reading!

Avoid plastic bags and glass jars

The ideal temperature for storing seeds is around 14-16 degrees. It’s important that it isn’t too hot nor too cold. You should preferably keep the seeds in their designated bag, a paper bag or in an envelope. Keeping them in a plastic bag would only create condensation, which could make the seeds germinate. Storing them in a glass jar would have the same effect.

Check the expiration date

All the producers mark their seedbags with an expiration date. Vegetable seeds often expire after three years, while flower seeds expire after only two. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t grow them after the expiration date. The date only indicates that the producers can’t guarantee the same growth as before that specific date. 

Want to test your seeds to make sure they grow when you plant them? Place a damp wettex cloth with some seeds in a bowl and cover the seeds with another damp cloth. By keeping it evenly damp, you can see if the seeds start to sprout. If so, they’re ready to be planted in the soil!  

Avoid dropping or damaging the seeds

Dropping the bag of seeds on the ground or bumping it into objects could affect the seeds ability to grow. The bigger the seed, the more sensitive they are to being dropped or being damaged in other ways. 

Sort the seeds

Take your time during the colder and darker months of the year to sort your seeds. It is a great way to keep track of your seeds and will most likely save you time when it’s finally time to cultivate again. There are many different ways of sorting and it’s highly individual what you find most effective. A tip is to replace broken or opened bags of seeds with paper bags. Make sure to mark them with the necessary information about the content. You can also sort the seeds based on size, plant group or when they should be sown or harvested. 

Onion bulbs are perishable

Unfortunately, onion bulbs have to be planted right away and can’t be saved for later like seeds. However, onions that bloom in the summer can be picked out from the soil and be saved for later. Pick them up, clean them thoroughly and keep them in a cool and dark place. Placing the onions on some newspapers will help them stay dry.