What's the best way to store annual's seeds for the winter?

eastwood2007 · Post by **eastwood2007** » Nov 07, 2007 3:49 pm

I have a number of seeds I collected from marigolds, poppies (annual and perennial), Kong Coleus, cockscomb, rudbeckia, etc. Are they okay to leave at room temp, or should they be refrigerated or frozen to keep best?

Thanks in advance!

Hapygdnr · Post by **Hapygdnr** » Nov 07, 2007 7:19 pm

I would say no to freezing. I just keep them cool & dry, use paper coin collector envelopes for storing. I have kept them in the "butter saver" section of the fridge in the past (but don't now due to issues w/other family members). They do fine w/o being refrigerated- just remember cool & dry... they'll be fine
Jeanne aka Hapygdnr

John · Post by **John** » Nov 07, 2007 7:48 pm

Cool, dry... and dark-- sounds good. I use the crisper drawer in the refrigerator for my seeds. Freezing would work for longer term storage, but then there are issues with proper drying of the seeds.

VThosta/daylilylover · Post by **VThosta/daylilylover** » Nov 07, 2007 9:25 pm

I read somewhere that seeds can be kept for years if dried and then placed in moisture-proof containers such as Ball canning jars with lids. I would keep them in cool basement temperatures.

LucyGoose · Post by **LucyGoose** » Nov 08, 2007 12:25 am

I always keep mine in the fridge.....

kHT · Post by **kHT** » Nov 08, 2007 10:49 pm

Right now ours are in the house as we fill orders but we like to keep them in the garage in all their boxes and tote.

Yes I have that many!

eastwood2007 · Post by **eastwood2007** » Nov 09, 2007 12:15 am

Thanks everyone! I don't have that many...certainly not enough for a tote...

That's great, Karma!!! Karma, is your garage unheated? I would like them to be as fresh as they can be next spring though, especially since I don't have very many...

John · Post by **John** » Nov 09, 2007 12:48 am

Charla, I think Karma's garage, whether heated or not, will remain much warmer than yours in zone 5. Probably don't want the seeds to freeze, unless very well (over-) dried for very long term storage.

kHT · Post by **kHT** » Nov 09, 2007 12:07 pm

I have to agree with John here eastwood2007, we don't get many freezing days like you would back there in the midwest. When I lived back there we kept them in a unheated basement or spareroom closet around 50ish.

eastwood2007 · Post by **eastwood2007** » Nov 13, 2007 3:32 pm

Thanks everyone! I have my seeds cleaned, dried and enveloped! Going in the crisper today!

Appreciate everyone's help...