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# Storing seed and how long it stays viable

Seed is alive, even though it looks dormant. Inside every seed is an embryo with a store of nutrients. How you store it directly affects how much of it comes up later. Well-stored seed lasts years, so leftover packets are not waste.

## How long seed stays viable

Stored somewhere cool, dark and dry:

| Shelf life | Types |
| ---- | ---- |
| 1 to 2 years | onion, parsley, parsnip, sweet corn, spinach |
| 3 to 4 years | beans, carrots, peas, peppers |
| 5 years or more | tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, brassicas, lettuce |
| Flowers | many annuals such as marigold and zinnia 3 to 5 years; perennials vary |
| Herbs | basil and chives around 3 years; mint often longer |

What shortens it: **moisture** (triggers premature germination or mould), **heat** (speeds up deterioration), **light** (degrades quality) and **pests**.

## Preparing seed for storage

**Bought packets** are best kept in their original packet, which carries the variety, the sowing instructions and the packing date. If the packet is torn, put it in a small envelope and that inside an airtight container.

**Seed you saved yourself** needs cleaning first: remove debris, chaff or pulp. Rinse wet seed such as tomato and cucumber. Then dry it completely — in a single layer on kitchen paper or a mesh screen, somewhere cool and dry, for one to two weeks. A fully dry seed snaps cleanly instead of bending.

Always label with the name and variety, the date, and any note such as *organic*.

## What to store it in

- Airtight glass jars — keep out moisture and pests
- Plastic containers with snap lids — light and stackable
- Paper envelopes inside a larger sealed container — airflow around each type, low humidity overall
- Vacuum-sealed bags for larger quantities

Add a silica gel packet, or a spoonful of uncooked rice in a cloth bag, to absorb moisture. Replace it yearly.

## Where to store it

Follow the rule: **cool, dark, dry**.

Suitable: a pantry, drawer or cupboard in a temperature-controlled room; a basement if it is dry; the refrigerator for long-term storage, provided the seed is airtight against condensation. In a fridge, keep it towards the back where the temperature is most stable — not in the door.

Not suitable: near an oven or heating vent, on a sunny windowsill, or in a damp basement or garage.

If you buy in bulk, split it into smaller airtight containers so you only open one per season. Below 10 °C is ideal.

## Testing old seed

1. Dampen a sheet of kitchen paper — damp, not dripping.
2. Lay 10 seeds evenly on it.
3. Fold it over, put it in a plastic bag and keep it somewhere warm, around 18 to 24 °C.
4. Check daily and count how many sprout within the germination time on the packet.

| Out of 10 | What it means |
| ---- | ---- |
| 8 to 10 | strong seed, sow as normal |
| 5 to 7 | still usable, sow more thickly |
| Fewer than 5 | replace it |

## Frequently asked questions

**Can seed go in the freezer?** It can extend the life of some types, but only if the seed is bone dry. Any residual moisture damages the embryo.

**Can seed go in the fridge?** Yes, in an airtight container with a moisture absorber. Not in the door, where the temperature fluctuates.

**Does organic seed last longer?** Organic seed is untreated and often stores well, but it must be kept very dry to prevent mould.

The full version of this guide is on [seedschoice.com](https://seedschoice.com/blogs/news/how-to-store-and-preserve-seeds-for-next-season-keep-your-vegetable-flower-herb-fruit-amp-organic-seeds-viable).
## Ready to sow? What you can sow now
* [Vegetables you can sow this month](https://seedschoice.com/collections/vegetables-sow-now)
* [Flowers you can sow this month](https://seedschoice.com/collections/sow-now)
* [Herbs you can sow this month](https://seedschoice.com/collections/herbs-sow-now)
* [Vegetables to sow directly outdoors](https://seedschoice.com/collections/direct-sow-vegetables)
* [Fast-growing vegetables](https://seedschoice.com/collections/fast-growing-vegetables) — quick results, ideal for beginners
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