If you are looking to plant in the next year’s gardening season, then you need to store your seeds well. Saving your seeds will save you a lot of time and is a good way to preserve the generation. Although every seed may have different preferences, drying and storing them properly would be enough to ensure you can use them for a longer period.
The guide below should help you properly safely keep your seeds.
Seed Collection
The best method for seed collection will vary depending on the plant. It can be done in 2 ways. When handling beans, peas, parsley, spinach, and radishes, it’s best to wait for the seed pods to completely dry on the plant.
For flowers, gather them just right before the seeds drop from the flower. A good indicator is when they have started to dry and harden. Let air dry first, then store when fully dried.
The other method is to wait for the seeds to mature by letting the vegetable overripe. This is best for squash, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and eggplants.
Storage and Catalogue
Seeds need to be fully dried first before being stored to avoid mildew or mold. Some seeds may take a week or more to dry.
You can use anything to store your seeds from coin envelopes and jars to pillboxes. Basically, any container will do. Also, make sure that you place them somewhere dark, cool, and dry. You can even put it in the refrigerator using an airtight container. After that, make sure to add labels indicating the seed’s name and the storage date.
