| Seed storage is an important part of anyone's | | | | Hellman's and Best Foods mayo jars or standard |
| emergency preparedness program. Storing your | | | | canning jars will take a regular size canning lid. |
| own food is very important, but being able to | | | | Before sealing the lid, you may use the silica gel |
| replenish your food supply by growing your own | | | | or other moisture removing products inside the |
| food is an even better option. It is part of an | | | | jar to keep the seeds in a 8 - 10% humidity ratio. |
| over all plan that produces food that is superior in | | | | One trick that is used by people in our area, is to |
| nutrition and will increase your self reliance ability | | | | cut off a small piece of wooden dowel, and place |
| by allowing you to keep seeds in containers for | | | | it in the jar. The wood also attracts and holds the |
| the correct planting times. | | | | moisture. |
| Let's first talk about storage just after you | | | | When your seed is at the proper moisture levels |
| receive your seeds. If you just placed the seeds | | | | it is also possible to freeze them for long periods |
| in a envelope and placed them on a shelf, you | | | | of time with no harm or damage to your seed |
| may have them last for one year. The location | | | | viability. The National Seed Storage Laboratory |
| you choose is extremely important, so you should | | | | (NSSL) has been able to keep frozen seeds for |
| select an area in your home that will provide the | | | | up to forty years with these conditions. |
| best results. | | | | Here is some information on the seed conditions |
| Some things to consider when choosing a storage | | | | and humidity |
| location for your seeds: | | | | Humidity Level |
| - Avoid sunlight. Direct sun is one of the most | | | | Activity to Seeds |
| important ingredients to germinating seeds. It is | | | | 4 - 7% |
| best to store your seeds in a dark area. | | | | Too dry for seeds. Kills germination abilities |
| - Avoid high temperatures. Seeds will degrade | | | | 8 - 10% |
| quickly in heat. Seeds should be stored in a cool | | | | Best conditions for seed storage |
| location. It is best to place them in cool rooms on | | | | 11 - 16% |
| the bottom shelves, because heat rises to the | | | | Seed molds or mildews killing seed |
| upper shelves. Temperatures between the higher | | | | 17 - 20% |
| 30's and upper 50's degree Fahrenheit are best. | | | | Causes seed to breath or respire. Seed declines |
| - Avoid humid rooms. Your laundry room, | | | | rapidly. |
| bathroom or other rooms with higher humidity | | | | 21 - 60% |
| can spell death to your seeds. | | | | Seeds rot |
| More important is the containers you use to store | | | | 40 - 60% |
| your seeds. | | | | Germination of seed begins |
| I have used a wide variety of containers to store | | | | So to recap, you need to keep your seed you |
| seeds, but common canning jars or mason jars | | | | need cool, dark and dry conditions. Fluctuations in |
| are your best bet. Using the canning lid and ring, | | | | any of these conditions will be detrimental to your |
| you can make the jar air tight thus helping shield | | | | seeds and decrease their ability to reproduce. |
| the seeds from the conditions we discussed | | | | Seeds need to be kept in these constant |
| above. A Kraft mayo jar, for example, is perfect | | | | conditions. |
| for a new wide-mouth canning lid and ring. | | | | |