subject: Storing Garden Seeds [print this page] When you purchase your seeds, you will typically not need to plant all of them that come in the packet. Instead of throwing them out, you can store them by freezing them for use the following year.
You can also freeze seeds that are taken directly from vegetables. The best time to remove and store them is immediately after harvest.
Once the beans are thoroughly dry, you can store them in an air tight container, in a cool, dry place. Make sure the bean is completely dry, or it will rot or mold in storage
Beans can also be stored in your refrigerator short-term. Keep your vegetable beans in the packets you bought them in so you will be able to easily identify them.
If you don't have the original packet, store them in a paper envelope, labeled with the variety and year. Keeping the beans in their packet is also a beneficial way to keep the planting instructions straight.
If the packet has been opened, fold the top of it over to keep moisture from getting to the beans. It's important to store them safely in plastic bags so that you don't lose any moisture.
Place the packet of vegetable beans into a small seal-able plastic bag. Write the date on the bag with black marker.
If you want to freeze more than one type of vegetable seed, you can place all of the bagged beans into one large seal-able plastic bag. Make sure the bags are sealed well before storing them, and then place the envelopes into an air tight container, such as a canning jar
Also, make sure the temperature of your freezer is between 24 and 28 degrees. Keep your buds frozen until the next spring or longer, depending on the plant.
Check the packet for the seed's specific freezing duration. Some buds can be frozen for three years or more; onions, on the other hand, can only be frozen for one year.
Stored buds are best used the following year. While the buds are frozen, you should make sure not to open or touch the bags.
Try to keep the beans in a freezer that you never or infrequently use, if possible. If you're not sure how long your beans can be frozen, you should only freeze them for a year.
Take out the bags when you are ready to plant them. Store the buds at room temperature for at least one day before planting.
Wash your buds in cool running water and allow them to dry on a paper towel. Growing plants from your garden, will, over the years, result in plants uniquely adapted to your garden.
Saving buds is relatively easy but each type of plant might need a different method to follow. Beans are easy if you let them dry on the vine.
After it is brown and almost popping open, pick it and empty the pod. Once you store the bean, it should retain about 50% germination for 4 years.
Tomato seeds are easy too. Choose ripe fruit, more ripe than you would like for eating but not rotting yet.
Remove the seeds from inside, and once they are dry just place them into an air tight jar and save in a dark, dry location. This method also works for some squash, pepper, cucumber, and melon seeds.
Squash, cucumber, and melons sacrificed for bud saving should be left on the vine until after the first frost. Cut open the fruit and remove the buds and wash.
Lay out on a screen or paper towels to dry where the seed will not be disturbed, and then store in an airtight container in a dark, dry area. Peppers should be left on the vine to turn red before collecting seeds.
Eggplants ready for seed saving will be dull, off-colored and hard. Cut the eggplant in half and pull the flesh away from the seeded area.
Summer squash is ready to harvest when you cannot dent the squash with a fingernail. Watermelon seeds can be extracted from a slightly over ripe fruit.
Put the buds in a strainer and add a drop of dish washing liquid. This will remove any sugar from the bud and ensure they will not rot while stored.
