Beside storing seeds in a seeds storage container, you can also store seeds in the freezer. In this article, I’m going to show you how to store seeds in the freezer. Let’s get started.
Freezing process might cause damp seeds to break or split, seeds should be properly dried before freezing. The dry seeds should then be put in an airtight container to avoid absorbing humidity and absorbing harmful moisture.
AlSo, make sure that you categorize your seeds properly. This is if you are storing different types of seeds.
Can seeds go in the freezer?
As long as your seeds have dried completely, they can freeze without causing too much damage.
Because temperature fluctuations are moderate outside, there is less risk of condensation, and cold air tends to keep the seeds dry anyhow. The most essential thing is to keep the area dry.
How do you store seeds in the freezer?
If seeds are overly damp, they can rot in the refrigerator or freezer and suffer frost damage.
When storing seeds in the refrigerator or freezer, keep the packets in an airtight container and make sure the seeds are completely dried beforehand.
The key to freezing seeds is to keep them dry in an airtight container and at consistent low temperatures.
Because the freezing process might cause damp seeds to break or split, seeds should be properly dried before freezing.
The dry seeds should then be put in an airtight container to avoid absorbing humidity and absorbing harmful moisture.
Seeds should be stored in the rear of the refrigerator, where they will be less exposed to temperature swings caused by opening and shutting the door.
Seeds stored in the freezer will have more stable temperatures than those stored in the refrigerator.
A seed’s storage life might be cut in half for every 1% rise in humidity. Similarly, every 10-degree F. (-12 C.) rise in temperature can cut seed storage life in half.
There are specific measures you must follow when utilizing frozen seeds, whether you are storing them for a few weeks for succession plantings or for a year or two.
Before freezing, ensure that the seeds are clean and dry. Silica gel can aid in the complete drying of seeds.
During storing seeds in an airtight container for cold storage, name and date the container to avoid confusion when planting.
Starting a seed diary is also a fantastic idea so you may learn from your own achievements and mistakes.
Finally, when it’s ready to plant, remove the seeds from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for at least 24 hours before planting.
Other related questions
How do you freeze seed for germination?
For a quick stratification, try freezing seeds inside an ice cube. Freeze seed in a packaging only if it has a thick coat or a low moisture content, because water in embryo cells might explode when frozen.
However, encasing it in ice protects it from freezing damage.
Do frozen seeds germinate?
Seeds that have been frozen are likely to germinate. It depends on how long they were frozen for, how they were stored, and what kind of seed it is.
How long do frozen seeds last in freezer?
Seeds may be kept correctly for 10 years or more, according to Colorado State University Extension. The biggest benefit for the home gardener who wishes to keep seeds in the freezer is that it is opened significantly less frequently than the refrigerator.
Conclusion
Because humidity and heat diminish the shelf life of seeds, the refrigerator is often the best location to store them.
