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Mn

I have kept my seeds in my basement for three + years now. The seed packets from the growers have all been put into samwhitch size zip-locs (individualy). Now i was wondering would it hurt the seeds if i were to start storing them in a freezer. I have considered changing them over to cold storage. I have some high value seeds that i would like to keep safe. Thanks

A giere

9/26/2007 7:52:01 PM

San Jose [email protected]

the little i know cold is better for seed preservation,so freezing them now is better than not, but freezing the first year is better. there is a limit to the time the seeds will be viable,

9/26/2007 9:53:45 PM

Washington

I don't think freezing them is a good idea. We store ours in a back bedroom closet in plastic containers that are used for fishing lures. The freezer might damage the seed, plus thawing might create too much moisture and then you would have mold problems. Keeping them cool and dry seems to be the way most growers store them.
Sherry

9/27/2007 2:03:30 AM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

sl, what about keeping them in zip lock bags an a refrigerator?

9/27/2007 5:35:29 AM

Cornell, Wi

every where I read said freezin is the best way, they said the national seed savers freeze all there seeds, I freeze mine, they all grew. I just am curious on what everyone else does, Im sure Sheri knows what shes doing, Pap how do you store your seeds? Now I dont know how to store my seeds.

9/27/2007 9:52:00 AM

Washington

This is the first time I have heard of anyone freezing seeds. If you have had no problems freezing seeds then I just learned something new. (You can teach an old dog.....)I have never tried freezing them but in nature seeds freeze and then grow in spring so obviously it must work. We tried keeping them in the frige years ago but didn't like the condensation build up.

We also have soooooo many seeds that giving up freezer or frige space wouldn't work well. Rumors of a seed room are not far from the truth, they take up one whole bedroom closet. Jack is a pack rat when it comes to seeds. They are all labeled and categorized on a computer spreadsheet! Brett is not allowed in the 'seed room', LOL.
Sherry

9/27/2007 10:05:19 AM

Pembroke, New Hampshire

Seeds have a good germination viability rate for 4 or 5 years if stored cool and dry. After that, the germination rate drops off. I do recall somebody finding 40 or 50 year old pumpkin seeds (not giant) that were viable. Freezing them will prolong their viability, but I'm certain most people are not interested in Atlantic Giant seeds from 20 years ago when sizes were much smaller.

9/27/2007 10:08:01 AM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

I have thought a lot about freezing seeds and asked a lot of questions. My understanding is that freezing increases there germination rate and storage life, but if they are thawed they should not be refrozen as it will really reduce the germ. Also seeds that have been frozen then thawed will not last as long as ones that were never frozen in the first place. When I trade seeds I try to be careful to ask if they have been frozen. I do not freeze mine for storage, but I do freeze for a few weeks prior to starting them.

9/27/2007 11:30:09 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

The problem is today's Frost Free freezers.

9/27/2007 1:54:35 PM

Mn

thanks guys and gals..... i'm in a real dilema

9/27/2007 9:50:56 PM

Mn

sorry if that sounded pasive agressive or sarcastic... idin't mean it that way ....LOL

9/27/2007 9:51:53 PM

San Jose [email protected]

great point GR8PUMPKIN said, DO NOT PUT IN NEWER FROST FREE FREEZER, you could also put some rice or flour in with the seeds to absorb any extra moisture

9/28/2007 10:16:28 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Just to comment on my NO Frost Free Freezer comment. The way a frost free freezer works is it has a heating element that periodically comes on warming the frost points and contents of the freezer. This flucuates the temperature of the freezer to an above freezing point then cools again.

9/28/2007 1:35:54 PM

Cornell, Wi

In dons book freezers oscillate, but the range of oscillation is so small it does not effect the items in the freezer "the mass." What is effected is the air in the freezer which acts far quicker than the bulky mass stored. If the seeds are stored in airtight packageing than they are unaffected by the defrosting, freezing should be considered a highly effective way of storing valuable seeds over a long period of time. This is from world class giant pumpkins III. I keep mine in triple layer plastic in a new freezer. I feel the biggest thing is keeping the temp and humidity consistent, which is harder to do outside of the freezer. Besides if the oscillation was so great our foods would be greatly affected, I feel freezers are very consistent.

9/28/2007 8:36:09 PM

Maine

I read something from steve daletas I think that said the best way to store seeds was in the refrigerator in sealed containers.

9/29/2007 8:47:49 AM