How to Properly Store & Save Heirloom Seeds

Save heirloom seeds for later planting.

Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated and haven’t undergone genetic modification. They’re non-hybrid and germinate true to type, with the same characteristics as the plant they originated from. Hybrid seeds, on the other hand, don’t present a viable means of propagating plants. You always have to start from a new manufactured seed to grow hybrid vegetables, for example. Therefore, heirloom seeds have economic significance because they’re in essence free. Once you have an heirloom plant, you may collect and save the seeds for later planting at no cost.

Things You'll Need

• Heirloom plant
• Paper towel
• Envelopes
• Pen
• Small cloth bag
• Powdered milk
• Airtight jar
• Freezer

Instructions

1. Harvest seeds from ripe fruit, seed heads and dry pods, depending on the type of plant you want to propagate. Save beans, for instance, when the pod is “rattle dry,” says Oregon State University Extension Service.

2. Place the seeds on a paper towel to dry at room temperature in a well-ventilated area. Seeds that retain moisture in storage sometimes rot when they’re planted.

3. Use envelopes to store the seeds by plant species and variety. Label each envelope.

4. Fill a small cloth bag with powdered milk. Empty teabags sold in the bulk aisle of health food stores work well.

5. Place the bags of milk on the bottom of an airtight jar. The milk will absorb moisture.

6. Move the envelopes of seeds to the airtight jar and seal it.

7. Store the jar in the freezer. Depending on the plant species, your heirloom seeds will last from one to five years.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Heirloom Seeds
• Oregon State University Extension Service: Collecting and Storing Seeds from Your garden