Seed Storage/ Collecting/ Selection

Securing Long Term Survival With Seeds

Seeds are an invaluable commodity and hold the key to long term sustainability, and survival in some cases. There are many theories floating around on the correct methods to store seeds for long term use. Knowing how to properly store seeds will ensure their viability for when they are needed the most.

Seeds are Alive
Seeds are a living thing and should in all the sense of the word be treated that way. Seeds are dormant until they are introduced to natural elements such as oxygen, moisture, sunlight and warmth that create a growth reaction. Keeping these elements away from the seeds will prolong their longevity. Since seeds are alive, they can be stressed out and damaged when subjected to extreme temperature shifts.

The USDA states that if seeds are stored at optimum conditions, they can last for hundreds, maybe thousands of years…”

Over time, seeds do succumb to the aging process and begin to lose their vigor. It should be emphasized that if a person is purchasing seeds for long term sustainability, then the seeds purchased should be non-hybrid (non-GMO) and heirloom quality. These types of seeds will produce fertile seeds that can be stored and the risk of aging seeds is diminished. Typically, larger seeds such as beans and corn have a longer longevity compared to smaller seeds. Finding resources such as a Seed Longevity Chart will help determine which seeds can be stored longer than others.

Seed Storage Methods
Seeds should be stored in an airtight container where the natural elements cannot get to them. Many people use their refrigerators, freezers and basements as a storage facility for seeds. Keeping seeds at room temperature will cause the embryo to consume its stored sugars within the seed casing and will either get too weak to germinate or die altogether. There is no right or wrong method, it mainly depends on how the person plans to use their seeds and for how long. Seed packets typically have a “use by” date. Once the seed packet is opened, the seeds should be used that season.

Freezing the Seeds
Freezing seeds will put the embryo into suspended animation reducing its need to consume the sugars that are encased in the seed. This increases it’s storage life immensely. If the seeds are frozen, they should sit at room temperature for a few days before they are planted. This is the preferred method of seed storage by leading farmers and agriculturalists.

Refrigerating the Seeds
Storing seeds in the refrigerator is another method of prolonging seeds lifespans. Some put the seeds in a zip loc bag than then place it in a brown bag so that light cannot permiate through to the seeds. Another method is to use a smaller zip loc bag, add the seeds and close them up. Get a larger zip loc bag and place a moisture absorbing material such as dry milk or dry rice to the main large zip loc bag and then add the smaller bags containing the seeds. Use large bubble mailer to store the large zip loc bag into and place it in the upper back of the refrigerator and use rubber bands to keep the bubble mailer sealed.

Vacuum Sealing Seeds
Many believe that vacuum sealing the seeds is the best course for long term seed storage. However, some believe this method would harm the seeds due to the absence of the oxygen the seeds need to stay alive. Vacuum sealing does extend the life of the seeds by keeping out the natural elements such as excessive moisture and oxygen. If a person lives in a climate where there is high humidity, then this method would be the preferable one. Storing the seeds in a mylar bag or in a dark container where sunlight and moisture cannot get to it is ideal.

Paper Envelope Storage
Storing seeds in paper envelopes and then storing them in waterproof containers with gasketed lids or in mason jars is another preferred storage method. One can add desiccant (a substance that removes moisture from the air) to ensure the seeds are not exposed to moisture. Using aluminum coated plastic bags in lieu of the paper envelope can also be used. The seeds should be stored away from sunlight in a cool, dark area such as a refrigerator or dark room

Finding the perfect seeds to store takes a bit of time. Not to mention a few extra days drying them out. Essentially when a person dries out the seeds, it basically stops the growth process until it is introduced to the right elements again. In my previous entry: Seed Collecting, I discussed how to choose the seeds, when to collect the seeds, and how to appropriately prepare them for storage. The Seed Storage entry will concentrate on the storage process, different ways to store the seeds and keeping the enemy (insects) away. Different types of seeds last longer than other.

Since the beginning of time, large farms as well as micro farms have been using seed storage to create bountiful crops. Even if you do not have a farm, per se, this advice can used for a home gardening as well.

Preparing the Seeds and Storing
■Make sure the seeds are well dried before you store them. A 10-year storage life can be achieved by drying seed to less than 8 percent moisture.
■Store them in the coolest place possible. Moisture and heat will cause the seeds to spoil.
■Protect the seeds from moisture using an airtight container with a tight fitting lid to keep out moisture. To make sure the containers are airtight, you can fill up the edges around the lids with wax or grease. Mason jars are commonly used, but ammo cases can be used to store seed as well. When using this method, drop a dissicant (silica or moisture absorber) into the case and close.
Tips For Keeping the Container Airtight
■You can also melt paraffin or candle wax and turn the jars upside down and dip them in it to make an airtight seal around the lid. Or dip a piece of cloth in hot wax and drape it over the opening of the container to seal it.
■Another way to keep seeds from absorbing moisture from the air is to put something in the container with the seeds that will absorb the moisture instead. You can use freshly toasted grains of rice, wheat or maize, or toasted dried peas. Toast the rice, wheat or maize grains or dried peas by heating them slowly and moving them around continuously in a shallow pan over your stove. They should be completely dried out, but not burnt.
■You can make a cloth bag for the toasted grains so that they will not mix with the seed. Fill the cloth bag with toasted grain, and then put it in the container with the seed. Put about twice as much toasted grain in the container as seed.
■If you open the container and take out some of the seeds, but you want to store the rest of the seeds longer, take out the old toasted grain and replace it with fresh toasted grain before you seal the container again.
■You could place the airtight seed containers in a pit in the dirt floor of a shed or storage hut safe from rain or flooding. That way they will be both cool and dry.
■Make sure that labels are put on the seeds with the type of plant, growing instructions, and date. This will come in handy when using the seeds the next year.
■Paper envelopes or bags are a good way of storing seeds as well. This method allows for good air circulation and prevents “sweating.” Once the seeds are sealed in the envelopes, place them in air tight container. Add a bag of silica or powdered milk to absorb any excess moisture.
Keep Insects Out
Making sure the containers are airtights protects the seed for it’s next use as well as keeps insects from destroying the seed.

Tips On Keeping Out Insects

■Add five millilitres (one tablespoon) of vegetable oil, such as African palm oil, crude cottonseed oil, coconut palm oil, or peanut oil, to one kilogram of well-dried vegetable or grain seeds. Shake the seed and oil together in a jar for five minutes until the oil lightly covers all the seeds. Then store the seed in airtight containers in a cool place.
■Adding ashes to your seed storage is another way of reducing the insect problem. First remove all the pieces of burnt wood from the ash so that only dust remains. Mix the ash dust with the seeds so that the seeds are well coated. Add 1/5 kilogram (200 grams) of fine ash to every kilogram of seed.
Summing Things Up
In summary, storing seeds is essential for your long term preparation. Choose seeds to save for next season by taking three trips through your field to pick seeds. Collecting only the best seeds that are without abnormalties and finding characteristics in the plant that are appealing will create a nice variety crop source. Once the seeds are stored, follow the three rules of seed storage: dry the seeds well; put them in airtight containers; and store them in a cool place. Protect seeds from insect damage by mixing them with oil, ashes, or insect-repelling plants such as neem. If the best seeds and varieties are saved each season, the next year’s crop will be even more plentiful. And having a good seed collection is a great source of trading with other neighbors or locals.

Seed Collecting

I found a great article about seed collecting and storage tips from farmradio.org. It is essential to have a well stocked seed collection. Seeds not only provide dependable crops year round, but can also be used to produce edible sprouts which have an extremly high nutrient and vitamin content, as well as save money in the overall scheme of things. Traditional varieties of seeds can be saved and used, but hybrid seeds have a one time use and therefore should be overlooked for the most part. They will not grow back each year. Non-genetically modified seeds (non-GMO) or Heirloom varieties are the way to go.

Collecting the Seeds
■Collect seeds when they are mature and drying on their stalks. Lay them out in a shady spot during warm weather for 2-3 days. They should be ready to store after that time. Remember: the drier the seed the better. Some There are some seeds that might take a little longer. Listen to the sound the seeds make when you break them to decide if they are dry enough. When they are dry, large, flat seeds, like pumpkin, they make a “snapping” sound when twisted. Large, thick seeds, like maize or beans, make a “cracking” sound when bitten. And small seeds make a “cracking” sound when squeezed between fingernails.
■Make sure you choose healthy seeds that are not abnormally shaped, very small or damaged. Choose seeds from plants with special qualities (high yield, better during hot weather, etc.). By only choosing the best seeds from your crop, you are making crop improvements year to year.
■Diversifying and finding seeds with special qualities makes crops less vulnerable to disease, pests and unusual weather conditions. At times, having identical crop varieties growing will result in a crop failure. And there will be times when you will have crop failures. This is due to the seeds that are bought from companies that do not diversify their seeds. They will produce similar plants and tend to be vulnerable to bad elements (weather, insects, disease).
Choose the Seeds In Three Different Ways
■Look for seed from plants that have particular characteristics that you like. For example, you might collect seeds from plants that stayed small, because they will need less water to grow. Or you might choose plants with multiple seed heads, or plants whose pods or grain heads are large. You might also look for plants that suffered less pest damage than others. Seeds from these plants are likely to produce more plants the next season that have these same special qualities.
■Choose seeds from plants that are different from each other. Pick seeds from plants of different colors, sizes, or with differently-shaped leaves.
■Select some seed from each area of the field, from a many different plants. Just pick whatever seeds you come across, at random.
Random Seed Collection
Having a wide variety of seeds will help get a good collection of seeds with different qualities. Not all plant differences are visible to the naked eye. Some of the diversity which helps plants to resist pests and diseases or adapt to changes in climate is contained in the seed itself. That is why you should collect some seed at random. The random sample makes sure that you get a good mix of different qualities, including ones you cannot see.

Summing Things Up
In summary, finding the right seeds and storing them for the next season is a must in making long term preparations. Collecting only the best seeds that are without abnormalties and finding characteristics in the plant that are appealing will create a nice variety crop source. If the best seeds and varieties are saved each season, the next year’s crop will be even more plentiful. And having a good seed collection is a great source of trading with other neighbors or locals.