Seed Saving & Lending Program

How to Save Seeds

• Gather Seeds

  • If you are collecting and saving seeds from your own plants, spread the seeds on newspaper and air-dry them for about a week
  • Write the seed names on the newspaper so that there's no mix up 
  • Once the seeds are dried, pack them into small paper packets or envelopes and label them with the plant name, the date and location of harvest. Most seeds last for three years
• Keep Seeds Dry

  • To help keep the seeds dry, place rice grains inside the storage container with the seed packets
  • You can also add a packet of silica gel in with the seeds but replace them every six months
• How to Store

  • Keep seed packets in plastic food storage bags, plastic film canisters, mason jars with tight lids or paper envelopes
  • Once you have your container, find a cool, dry place to you store the seeds
  • Because humidity and warmth shorten a seed's shelf life, the refrigerator is generally the best place to store seeds, but make sure to keep the seed-storage containers well away from the freezer section of the refrigerator
• Ready to Go

  • When you're ready to plant, remove seed containers from the refrigerator and keep them closed until the seeds warm to room temperature, otherwise, moisture in the air will condense on the seeds, causing them to clump and stick together
  • It is important to remember that even if you are very careful about storing seeds, some will not germinate the following year