Storing Seeds for Long Term Food Storage

This is an article written by Anne Vincent in Utah for her ward - it's good information and her timing is great.

“We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property... Grow vegetables and eatthem from your own yard, Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a littlefood in pots or planters. Study the best methods of producing your own foods.”
— President Spencer W. Kimball

“We will see the day when we will live on what we produce.”
—President Marion G. Romney

How do I store seeds***?
Like all food storage products, the enemies to long term storage are heat, light,air, and humidity. Store your seeds in an envelope and then in a zip-lock bag in which the air has been removedto keep out moisture. Then, close the whole bag of seed packets in a #10 can, or in a bottle with a firm lid. Placethe closed can or bottle in a cool, dark place like your cold storage. If you don’t have a cool, dry basement,consider making room in your fridge. But remember that fridges tend to be humid, so you will want to takeextra precautions there. Some experts suggest packing your seed envelops in a closed bottle of uncooked rice, whichacts as a mild desiccant to keep out moisture, but a zip-lock bag or double bag also works. If you do not use anentire packet of seeds and want to save the rest for another year, simply fold the envelop down tightly severaltimes and tape or clip shut and then return it to your storage place. It is generally not advisable to freeze seeds for long term storage.

How long will my stored seeds last?
Most experts agree that if stored properly, you should still haveclose to 100% performance of seeds if planted after 5 years, and fairly good success of many seeds even up to 10years. Be sure to label your can or bottle with the year, so that you can easily rotate your seed supply. Store whatyou will use, and then use what you have stored!

*** It is suggested that when storing seeds, you store “heirloom” seeds. Most of the seeds we buy at thesupermarket are hybrids, which means the seeds will often produce a crop only once, or will do poorly after thefirst propagation. Our vegetables that we buy at the supermarket are usually the same: producing seeds that aresterile or will not perform well if planted. “Heirloom” seeds have not been genetically altered, and the seeds fromthese vegetables can be harvested generation after generation. Look for these “heirloom” seeds at nurseries or at the numerous on-line seed companies.***