How Long Do Heirloom Seeds Last to Regrow?

Expected Longevity

• Heritage seeds should be allowed to ripen fully in the fruit and then air dried and placed in an air- and water-tight container. Seeds expected to be viable for a year include onion, parsley and parsnip; those viable for two years include corn, okra and peppers. Seeds that remain viable for three years include beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, pea and tomato; seeds that last four years include beets, pumpkin, squash, Swiss chard and watermelon. Some seeds remain viable for up to five years, including cucumber, endive, radish and lettuce. Size does not affect viability. Large and small seeds are found throughout the range.

What Seeds Are

• Storing seeds is not only about storing the embryonic plant. It is also about storing the cotyledons, the specialized tissue that gives the signal to the embryonic plant to start growing and which supplies the needed energy to put down the first roots and send up the first shoots. The specialized tissue on which the embryonic plant depends needs protection from becoming too dry or remaining too moist. Nature provides for this by allowing the seeds to air dry, usually in the fall, and remain in the cold and dry winter environment until spring when warmth and moisture come again to germinate the seeds.

Preparation for the Harvest

• Select a plant that is healthy and free from disease or insect damage. Make sure the fruit is also clean and free of damage. Isolate the fruit from which you want to harvest the seed and allow it to ripen fully. Since animals, especially birds, are seed spreaders, cover the fruit with a paper or mesh bag or some other form of protection to keep animals away. Secure it off the ground to avoid any form of rot or decay.

Preparation for Storage

• All seed for storage should be dried. Sun drying is dangerous because seed temperatures should never exceed 100 degrees F. Drying seeds in the oven at 100 degrees F for up to six hours will ensure a moisture level of 8 percent. Drying outside in the shade is acceptable for seed to be saved a year or two. Seed should then be placed into a paper envelope, not a plastic bag, labeled and sealed in an air- and water-tight container such as a canning jar. If placed in the freezer, the seed will be in even better condition for planting next season.