Seeds are live organisms and need to be cared for until it is time to plant them. The best place to store your seeds is in a cool, dry, dark location. A good storage spot is in a sealed glass jar in your refrigerator. Do not vacuum seal seeds or store with oxygen absorbers, as seeds need oxygen to stay viable.
Below are the average seed life of each type of Heirloom Seed:
- Bean Seeds(Bush, Fava, Lima, Pole, Runner, Soy, Yard Long): 3-4 years
- Beet Seeds: 6 years
- Broccoli Seeds: 5 years
- Brussel Sprouts Seeds: 5 years
- Cabbage Seeds: 3-5 years
- Chinese Cabbage Seeds: 3 years
- Carrot Seeds: 3-4 years
- Cauliflower Seeds: 5 years
- Celeriac Seeds: 5 years
- Celery Seeds: 5 years
- Collard Seeds: 5 years
- Corn Seeds: 3-4 years
- Cucumber Seeds: 7 years
- Eggplant Seeds: 6 years
- Endive Seeds: 7 years
- Kale Seeds: 5 years
- Kohlrabi Seeds: 5 years
- Leek Seeds: 1-2 years
- Lettuce Seeds: 3 years
- Muskmelon Seeds: 7 years
- Mustard Seeds: 4 years
- Okra: 2-4 years
- Onion Seeds: 1-2 years
- Bunching Onion Seeds: 1-2 years
- Parsley Seeds: 4 years
- Parsnip Seeds: 1-2 years
- Pea Seeds: 3 years
- Pepper Seeds: 2-4 years
- Pumpkin Seeds: 6-7 years
- Radish Seeds: 4-5 years
- Rutabaga Seeds: 4 years
- Spinach Seeds: 3-4 years
- Spinach (NZ) Seeds: 3 years
- Squash Seeds (Cucurbita maxima): 6-7 years
- Squash Seeds (Curcubita mixta): 6-7 years
- Squash Seeds (Cucurbita moschata): 6-7 years
- Squash Seeds (Cucurbita pepo): 6-7 years
- Sunflower Seeds: 7 years
- Swiss Chard Seeds: 6 years
- Tomato Seeds: 4-5 years
- Turnip Seeds: 5 years
- Watermelon Seeds: 5 years
Years of seed viability listed are approximate and can be less or much more depending on environmental
conditions.
