Gardening is known to be one of the most therapeutic and fulfilling hobbies. The satisfaction that you get from harvesting fresh produce of fruits, vegetables, or spices after taking care of the plant right from germinating the seeds is unmatched. But there are certain steps to follow if the seeds you have are not ready to be planted immediately.
There can be cases when you are taking out seeds from a vegetable or fruit, letting them dry, storing them, and waiting for the perfect weather to plant them. In such cases, the most important step is to store the seed correctly to ensure its viability. If you don’t store the seeds properly, they might even lose their ability to germinate. So, to ensure you get a healthy and colourful kitchen garden, follow these seed-storing tips.
Choosing The Seeds
When it comes to proper storage, the techniques differ as per the varied types. Some seeds which are hard can last for many years if stored under the right conditions, whereas seeds from a delicate plant might lose their viability within a year. So, before making up your mind, here are some seeds and their shelf life:
Annual Seeds: These seeds can last for 2-5 years if stored properly. For example, the seeds of tomato, beans, peppers, etc.
Perennial Seeds: The seeds which can last five or more years come under this category. Some of the most common perennial seeds are lavender, sage, and oregano.
Hybrid Seeds: Hybrid seeds have not only a shorter shelf life but they also do not guarantee a plant identical to their parent.
Airtight Containers
Once you have studied your options and picked the type of seed you want to store, using airtight containers is the most important step. To keep the moisture away from the seeds which can rot them and even lead to early germination, storing them in a dry environment is a non-negotiable. You can choose glass jars, vacuum-sealed bags, or even plastic containers depending on your preference.
Temperature Of The Seeds
The ideal temperature for storing seeds ranges from 0°C to 10°C. Since high temperatures can kill the seeds or decrease their viability, you can choose to refrigerate or even freeze the seeds if you want to store them for a long time.
Labelling
If you are storing more than one seed, it is only natural to forget which seeds are which after a few months. So, before leaving the airtight containers, it is important that you label the jars with the important dates like when you purchased the seed, the date of harvesting, and so on. You can also include storage details like temperature and different environments that can help you assess their condition before germination.
Location Of Storage
Light and humidity are two important factors that can hamper the stored seeds. Just like moisture, sunlight can too damage the seeds and even trigger premature germination. So, always ensure that you are placing the container of the seeds in a low-humidity and dark place like an opaque container, cabinet, or drawer.