Seed collection idea.

[Bananas1350]

I really would like to collect more of my own seeds this year. So was wondering if people on here could tell me how they store them as I find it a bit confusing. Which is stupid but my peri menopausal brain just cannot think would be the best place.

1. what container to put the seeds in. I see some on Amazon but do I need to go that far.
2. where do u keep them. It says cool dry place. But where in the winter in ur house do u store them when the heating is on?

Someone after my own heart! I started out with just paper envelopes. Then went "posh". I have 3 seed tins now, Sutton seeds do nice ones, sections,so veg,flowers etc etc,and I have bought proper seed envelopes now. I give seeds in Christmas cards to gardening friends. Am on the gardeners world TV program site,we swap seeds. In winter, the 3 tins go into my wardrobe. Hope this helps.

I put them in a plastic tub in the back of the fridge. But with home collected seeds that you can’t be sure are completely dry, they’d be better in paper envelopes in a shoe box not in the fridge. Choose the place in your house that has the least fluctuating temperature, and is as cool as you can manage. Maybe a spare bedroom or the cupboard on the landing.

I put them in home made envelopes like these:

www.gardensillustrated.com/garden-advice/how-to/make-your-own-seed-packet/

I use mini brown envelopes, write the name on, and then into a tin.

As others have said keep cool and dark.

For some seeds such as achilia I collect them by tying an old piece of baby muslin round the head once seeds have set.

Seed pods like foxglove get picked and left on an old saucer until they rattle or slit open naturally.

Hmmmm it would seem that not all seeds should be kept the same. Didn’t know some should be kept in the fridge. This needs more looking into. But I love the paper bag idea. Sounds cheap!!!!

Paper bags in my airing press, but beware, you'll end up with so many seeds. I collected sunflower seeds last year, no idea where I thought I was going to put a few hundred sunflowers!! Also label them, nothing worse than not knowing what you're planting and best advice I can give, put a reminder on your phone to plant them!! Guess who forgot this year. I've a biscuit tin full of envelopes and bugger all planted.

Mini envelope. Seal closed so they don’t escape. And remember to label.

I'm on the gardeners world forum and you might get more responses on there. I'm far from an expert, but some domestic grown seeds you shouldn't keep due to cross pollination.

For example the cucurbita group- cucumber, squash, pumpkins etc. My understanding is the the although what you grow and eat this year is fine- the seeds might have been cross pollinated and produce an in-edible, crossed thing next year.

What seeds are you keeping? If you have a glut of sunflower seeds, just put them out for the birds.. the fridge is not a "cool dark place", it's cold and a lot of seeds will then "sweat" on being removed. I know some people say they keep and you should sweetpea seeds in the fridge. I never have,and have 3 beds of them this year.

Don’t think they need to be kept in the fridge. It’s just cool and convenient. And uses up the awkward space at the very back of the top shelf which is difficult to see into unless you get on your knees.

If there is something that shouldn't be cross pollinated keep a few flowers under/in netting so it only pollinates with its own type of flower.

To gather seeds pop the seed head into a a paper bag and let them drop out over time, especially useful for tiny seeds.

Back in the old days camera film canisters used to be perfect for seed storage. Small craft bottles that seem to be everywhere would look cute and hold the seeds well. Envelopes are perfectly good as well, but obviously not for years on end.

I wonder if a few grains of rice would absorb any moisture.... worth a try.

How tall would you need to be to get on your knees to the top shelf of the fridge 😂

I use little brown envelopes (well labelled, in theory, but I’m looking forward to finding out what “tall red yellow thing from Sophie’s garden” turns out to be) and chuck in silicon sachets from packaging.

I'm sincerely hoping that means she has a half height fridge!