- Mylar Bags are perfect to store seeds for long term preservation. Best stored inside a rigid container.
- The viability of the seed depends on HOW you store the seeds and the variety of
seed itself.
- I suggest purchasing a new set every few years or when financially
possible for long term storage and then use the oldest set for that
years gardening needs.
Many experts suggest that a sealed bag of seeds can last anywhere from 8 to 20 years. If these are kept cool or frozen, they very well may last for up to twenty years.
However, it is wise to use the seed more frequently than this when ever
possible.
If it were my family depending on an emergency bag of seed for food- I
would rotate it just as you would your canned goods for emergency food
storage. Just in case the storage method you were using failed.
Better to be safe on this one and the cost for my seeds are minimal.
The sealing and oxygen absorbers adds an extra layer of protection for humidity, oxygen and
light.
You can also store the seeds in a constant cool area rather than
deep freeze if necessary. Also, The Mylar foil bags are resealable by
using heat (such as a flat iron, etc.) -but make sure any new seeds
added have been properly dried or they will rot.
Conditions essential for properly storing survival garden seeds are
just the opposite of those required for good germination.
Good
germination occurs when water and oxygen are present at a favorable
temperature. Best seed storage results are obtained when seeds are kept
dry (below 8 percent moisture - 4 percent is optimal) and the
temperature is kept low (40 degrees or below).
Do vegetable seeds require air/oxygen to keep them from becoming dead food?
Research
from the National Seed Storage Laboratory in Fort Collins shows - for a majority of seeds,
grains, or beans that are sealed. If
sufficiently dried, all of these seeds are effectively dormant to the
point that the surrounding air or lack thereof, is
insignificant to storage.
If deprived of oxygen, will the foods sprout or grow after a few years?
According to the National Seed Storage Laboratory, research shows - no
measurable difference in seed/grain viability, which is the ability for
the seed to grow after storage.
Additional information on oxygen and storing survival garden seeds
The
following research data was prepared by the Science and Education
Administration's Federal Research Staff, which was formerly the
Agricultural Research Service:
Research data shows that
regardless of the kind of seeds, or the atmosphere in the sealed
container, adequately dried seeds (4 percent moisture) retained their
germination reasonably well during 8 years of storage at 89.6°F (32°C).
If stored at cooler temperatures 40 degrees or lower, the germination
rate remains good for much longer periods.
Storing
your seeds properly will achieve the longest life possible.
Remember
these important factors when storing survival garden seeds:
- Constant cool to cold temperature (40 degrees or below)
- Dark place - never in sunlight or open to a lit room
- Keep in moisture proof containers- do NOT store on a greenhouse or laundry room where it is humid
- The drier the seeds are - the longer they will store
5. Preferably store with a a desiccant (silicone) in the bottom of your jar