
How to Know If Those Seeds Are Still Good
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I package my seeds in small glass or plastic containers and store them in he freezer. Most of my seeds are viable 10 years longer than the chart above mentions.
What about flower seeds like Zinnias, Sweet William or Foxglove?
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault keeps seeds viable for decades, ( maize, rice, wheat, cowpea and sorghum to European and South American varieties of eggplant, lettuce, barley, potato etc.). They are sealed in specially-designed four-ply foil packages that will be placed in sealed boxes.
Around the planet, there are nearly 1700 seed banks besides Svalbard.
As I have been able to determine, proper preparation of the seeds and their packaging, can ensure that most seeds will outlast most of their owners.
Though I am not a survivalist, I am prudent enough to keep at least 300 different seed varieties in deep freeze.... even my pine cone seeds.
You know, just in case disaster strikes.
Do I close the plastic bags completely or leave the bag open for air? Also, do I spritz with water while waiting to keep things moist?
If seeds are freeze dried (as in a Harvest Right machine) then packed in a mylar bag with an oxygen absorber, will the seeds remain viable?
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