How to Preserve Garden Seeds Long Term

Although garden seeds, such as vegetables and flowers, are available at stores, you can also harvest the seeds from existing plants. This is low-cost option to obtain and grow a variety of plants in your landscape. After harvesting seeds, you must prepare and store them properly to avoid problems such a mold and fungus. Most seeds can be stored long term for up to three years and remain viable, according to Barbara Larson with the University of Illinois Extension.

Bowl
Water
Spoon
Kitchen strainer
Paper towel
Glass jar or envelope
Pen
Freezer
Refrigerator

Instructions

- 1
  Harvest the seeds from healthy plants that are disease-free. When harvesting vegetable and fruit seeds, choose ones that are fully ripe. Harvest seed pods from flowers only when they are completely dry, which means the seeds are ripe.
- 2
  Clean any seeds removed from fruits or vegetables before storing. Scoop the seeds out of the vegetable or fruit and place them into bowl of warm water. Allow the seeds to soak for two to four days stirring frequently. Scoop out the material that floats and throw it away. Pour the remaining mixture through a strainer to collect the good seeds.
- 3
  Spread all seeds out onto paper towel, using separate sheets so as not to mix up multiple types of seeds. Place them in a warm, dry location and allow all the seeds to dry until they no longer feel moist, usually three days to one week.
- 4
  Pour each type of seed into a glass jar, or into an envelope. Write the name of the seed and the collection date on the container so that you will know when they are no longer viable.
- 5
  Insert the container into a freezer and leave it there for two days to kill any bacteria or pests that are on the seeds.
- 6
  Remove the seeds from the freezer and place them in a cool, dry location such as a refrigerator.

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