How to Keep Seeds Fresh: the Best Way to Store Seeds

Here are my recommendations on how to keep seeds fresh. Or in other words, the best way to store seeds for better germination. 

How to Keep Seeds Fresh Without Doing Them Damage

That's right, one of the most common ways I've heard people store their seeds is to put them in the freezer. Usually in threads on Facebook, ugh.

I think this is a bad idea, because you could also damage them in a couple of different ways.

You can hear my reasons in my podcast episode on the subject of how to keep seeds fresh. I will also discuss my reasons below. 

Microgreens Podcast Episode 39

Links to Items Discussed in Episode 39 of the Microgreens Podcast

Airtight Containers

I store my seeds in these Lock & Lock Containers. The are airtight, lock securely, and don't break if dropped.

Lock & Lock Containers

They come in different sizes and groupings. Click to see the Lock & Lock Store.

Silica Gel Packets

I use these silica gel desiccant packets. They remove humidity and moisture from containers and work very will with the Lock & Lock containers to keep the relative humidity low around your seeds.

Silica Gel Desiccant Packets.

How I Store My Seeds to Keep Them Fresh

I discuss the best way to keep seeds fresh last.

Cutting to the chase, here is how I store my seeds in the house.

Store Seeds in Airtight Containers

I store them in Lock & Lock Containers. I use many different sizes, but the thing to remember is you don't need to dump the seeds out of the packets that came in to store them in the containers.

You can get a larger container and put all of our seed packets in one. Add a couple of silica gel packs and you are all set. 

Add some Silica Gel Desiccant Packs

These desiccant packs will remove moisture from the container and lower the relative humidity in the air inside the container. Even in humid environments. They work, you should use them.

Store the Containers in the Dark

I don't go crazy here, meaning that I place the containers in a closet and close the door. I don't darken or put black paper on the containers. I simply put them in a closet and close the door.

Keep Temperatures as Even as Possible

I do not have a closet on the north side of my house. That is the best place in a home without a basement or some other room with cooler temperatures. The north side does not receive any sunlight that will heat up the wall to the closet. A south side outside wall closet is not a good place to store seed.

My closet is in the interior of the home, and in a room that is kept at the most moderate temperatures. No wide temperature swings.

Cellars Work Well

If you have cellar (or other room that is cooler than the rest of the house) this is a good place to store seeds. Don't worry about the dampness, because you put desiccant packs in the containers, right? 

Garages Don't Work Well

Garages are not very good at keeping temperature swings under control. Even if the temperature extremes are not extreme, the temperature may change more rapidly than the desiccant packs can absorb the moisture due to relative humidity changes. 

A constant warmer temperature is better than cooler temperatures that fluctuate wildly.

That's It. I Don't Refrigerate or Freeze My Seed

So many people tell me they keep their seed in the refrigerator or freezer. 

I don't think it's worth the risk of condensation forming on the seeds or inside the container.

If the seeds has too much internal moisture content, above 14%, there is a risk of ice forming inside the seed and basically killing it as the seed expands or the sharp ice crystals form in the seed germ.

If you are buying so many seeds that you need to preserve them by freezing, then you are buying too many seeds at once.

The Number One Way to Keep Seeds Fresh

Don't buy too many. 

It is as simple as that. Yes, they are cheaper of you buy a larger quantity of seed. But only if they do not become damaged before you use them.

Having some reserve is excellent! Too much, well, you never know what will happen to them.

Length of Seed Viability

These data were collected from different sites and combined. if ranges differed greatly, the more conservative values are reported. The assumption is that good seed storage principals are practiced.

Some sites listed outrageous ranges like 1 to 5 years, or 2 to 6 years. There were not included in the list below.

These include garden varieties and those used as microgreens.

Note: At some point I'll put them in alphabetical order.