For several years I had stored my vegetable and flower seeds in an old ice-cream box at the back of a cupboard. After all, the guidance on the back of seed packs is pretty vague. "Store in a cool, dry place." Is it any wonder that, like me, my fellow horticultural students took this to mean the garden shed, conservatory, airing cupboard, or under the kitchen sink?
Why don't the seed companies write clear guidance? It doesn't have to be wordy. Here's my suggestion if they're really pushed for space: "Store in an air-tight container in the fridge." If they can stretch to an extra THREE words, then they could be really clear. "Store in an air-tight container in the fridge, at a constant temperature."
Now, that's not hard, is it? After all, we've paid for this product, haven't we? Success is measured in germination rates as well as in the health, taste, and abundance of the plants we grow. So why don't the companies provide clear instructions on how to look after their products?
Why don't the seed companies write clear guidance? It doesn't have to be wordy. Here's my suggestion if they're really pushed for space: "Store in an air-tight container in the fridge." If they can stretch to an extra THREE words, then they could be really clear. "Store in an air-tight container in the fridge, at a constant temperature."
Now, that's not hard, is it? After all, we've paid for this product, haven't we? Success is measured in germination rates as well as in the health, taste, and abundance of the plants we grow. So why don't the companies provide clear instructions on how to look after their products?
A glass jar is a good option for storage. To maintain dormancy and avoid using up reserves of energy, seeds need to be stored at a constant temperature below 5 degrees centigrade. They need to be kept dry, not moist, so they need to be stored in an air-tight container, like a glass jar or a close-fitting plastic container, with a silica gel pack added to absorb any moisture.
They also need to be stored in the dark, so the seed envelope, and ideally the storage container, needs to exclude light.
Kew, who run the Millenium Seed Bank Project, recommend glass jars over all other containers. Check out their advice for yourself.
They also need to be stored in the dark, so the seed envelope, and ideally the storage container, needs to exclude light.
Kew, who run the Millenium Seed Bank Project, recommend glass jars over all other containers. Check out their advice for yourself.
Trendy, but not worth the money. You've probably seen those trendy enamelware boxes marketed for storing seed, selling at £20 plus. Forget them. They're not air-tight. In any case, you'd have to store that smart little metal box in your fridge, rather than displaying it proudly in your potting shed.
Instead, buy a couple of glass jars with rubber-seal necks, or some decent lock-lid tupperware containers. Group your seeds however you choose - by season or by veg type, herb or flower - and store them in your fridge, at a constant temperature, excluding light.
Instead, buy a couple of glass jars with rubber-seal necks, or some decent lock-lid tupperware containers. Group your seeds however you choose - by season or by veg type, herb or flower - and store them in your fridge, at a constant temperature, excluding light.
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