Saving Seeds? Shelf Life of seeds?

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   Hello~  I would like to save some of the seeds from our garden.  Does anyone have any helpful tips on the best process for this?

There is a sale at our local food co-op on seeds from this years stock.  Does anyone know how long they REALLY keep?  The expiration date is this year...but, I wondered if they may keep until next spring planting?

Also would like to discuss experiences with raised box gardens with lids (I think they are called "hot houses" or something to that effect)  My son wants to build one so we can try our hand at planting a garden year round...:)  We live in the Northeast....cold winter's...but, I have heard of folks having success.

Thanks all you green thumbs, 
JD

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mamasjob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Valued Member Joined: May 16 2006 Status: Offline Points: 192	Post Options Post Reply Quote mamasjob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Saving Seeds? Shelf Life of seeds? Posted: August 23 2006 at 3:27pm
	Hello~ I would like to save some of the seeds from our garden. Does anyone have any helpful tips on the best process for this? There is a sale at our local food co-op on seeds from this years stock. Does anyone know how long they REALLY keep? The expiration date is this year...but, I wondered if they may keep until next spring planting? Also would like to discuss experiences with raised box gardens with lids (I think they are called "hot houses" or something to that effect) My son wants to build one so we can try our hand at planting a garden year round...:) We live in the Northeast....cold winter's...but, I have heard of folks having success. Thanks all you green thumbs, JD

JonMccr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Experienced Member Joined: March 12 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote JonMccr Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 23 2006 at 5:12pm
	Hi Mamasjob, Put your seeds in the freezer. They will last much longer and will even come up quicker when you plant them next year. This is an old trick my grandfather taught me.
	"Don't take life too seriously, nobody gets out of it alive"

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 24 2006 at 4:14am
	The seeds on sale at your local garden center are not as great a deal as they would seem. They have been improperly stored at room temperature or greater and average summer humidity. They may still sprout, but the germination rate will be lower. The storage of seeds obtained by mail order can usually be better trusted. if you want to store seeds, seal them in a jar with a dessicant ( non-perfumed calt litter is the cheapest, but silica gel works nicely too) and either refrigerate or freeze them. From what I've read, seeds supposedly store best in air, so don't use oxygen absorbers. for more information google "seed savers" or buy the excellent book "seed to seed." there is a thread about this in gardeneing. gardener

mamasjob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Valued Member Joined: May 16 2006 Status: Offline Points: 192	Post Options Post Reply Quote mamasjob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 24 2006 at 7:32am
	Thank you, Gardener! I like the kitty litter idea...have plenty of that..:) I will hop over to that other thread right now. I should have searched the forum first. Thanks again, JD