How to Store Unused Garden Seeds
It is very important to properly store the unused garden seeds in order to protect them from various weather changes and humidity. They are not just seeds, but a source of a successful germination to continue life on the earth.
Storing unused garden seeds is one among the simplest and most cost-effective gardening activities that you can carry out yourself. It provides you with an opportunity to recycle all those containers and jars that you clean out during household activities and set aside in case you could do with them one day.
Things Required:
– Large paper sheet, piece of cloth or a rack
– Plastic bags or envelops
– Stapler or threaded needle
– Permanent marker or mailing labels
– Main Container or Jar
– Dried Garden Seeds
– Tissue Paper
– 1 to 2 tablespoon of powdered dry milk or a decent amount of rice
– Plastic band
Instructions
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1
Dry the Garden Seeds
After bringing together the entire garden seeds from flowers, vegetables, herbs or plants, dry them properly at room temperature. All you have to do is, spread the seeds on a large paper sheet, piece of cloth or on a rack and set aside at room temperature, receiving limited sunlight. Leave the garden seeds for at least one week in order to make sure that they are completely dry and hold no moisture. Make sure not to mix up the seeds and dry them separately.
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2
Select Storing bags or envelops
In the mean time, select appropriate plastic bags or envelops to store the seeds. You can consider the given below ideas to store your garden seeds:
- Recycled paper envelopes
- Print off some paper packets
- Seed Saving Envelopes
- Paper coin envelopes
- Plastic baggies
- Plastic sandwich bags
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3
Mark the Storing Tools
Now use a permanent marker or mailing labels to print some useful information on the selected plastic bags or envelops, regarding the garden seeds. You can write the given below information:
- Name of the seeds
- Variety of the seeds
- Year when the seeds were collected
- Other information that you will need to remember later
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4
Seal the Garden Seeds
Once the garden seeds dry completely, open the selected envelop of plastic bag and add the seeds to them. Fold the opening end of the plastic bag or envelop two to three time and seal with stapler.
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5
Select a Large Container
Now select a large container or jar with a lid to store the plastic bags or envelops of the garden seeds. You can consider a wooden cigar box, coffee tin, Dry Tea Tin, Candy Jar, or Plastic shoe boxes etc to store the garden seed packs.
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6
Make a Desiccant
Any kind of moisture during the storing period can spoil your garden seeds. So make your own homemade desiccant (substance used as a drying agent) to keep your garden seeds safe from moisture. Take a tissue paper and place 1 to 2 tablespoon of powdered dry milk or a decent amount of rice in its centre. Now fold the tissue up from all side and seal it with a plastic rubber band, folding it few times. Place it in the centre of the main jar or container. It will absorb all the moisture effectively.
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7
Store the Main Container
Now place all the garden seed packets in the main jar or container and seal it completely. Place the main container or jar in a cool dark place in order to keep the garden seeds’ packets dormant. The back side of the refrigerator is a perfect position to store it.
