Seed Viability & How To Store Your Garden Seeds

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After gardening for a few years, one of the things you’ll need to start paying attention to is seed viability.

This concept refers to a seed’s ability to germinate and produce a viable seedling—or, more simply, how long your seeds will last.

It’s important to know that seeds have an estimated shelf life, which can vary based on several factors.

Managing your seed collection becomes an important process over time, and that’s what we’ll discuss in this article!

We also have a video on this subject. While it’s best to check out our seed viability charts here, this will give you an excellent overview of the topic!

How Long Will Seeds Typically Last?

This guide provides general guidelines, but keep in mind that actual results can vary significantly based on several factors.

Even with perfect seed storage and optimal germination techniques, some seeds may still not sprout.

Conversely, even very fresh seeds might fail to germinate.

It’s also possible for old seeds, well past their prime, to germinate and produce a viable plant.

Variability is inherent in nature; biology doesn’t operate on a precise clock.

Seeds don’t simply “go bad” all at once.

Instead, think of seed viability as a gradual decline, more like a hill than a sharp cliff.

Seed viability is about estimating a reasonable ‘shelf life’ where you’ll still achieve decent germination.

The Law & Garden Seed Viability

In the past, seed viability was a significant issue. There were no established standards to ensure that seeds would germinate adequately.

This meant that buyers could unknowingly purchase old seeds with low germination rates.

This problem is critical because seeds are a fundamental aspect of food security. The absence of standards puts our food supply at risk.

To address this, many states in the United States have implemented laws defining minimum seed viability percentages.

If seeds do not meet these standards, they must be clearly labeled as having “low germination.”

If you’ve ever received a seed packet with such a label, it’s due to these regulations.

This article does not delve deeply into the specifics of these state laws but aims to raise awareness about this practice.

Thanks to these regulations, most seeds you purchase should have at least a 75% germination rate when new, meaning three out of four seeds should grow into plants.

However, keep in mind that there are other factors, besides seed viability, that can cause germination failure.

Additionally, most retailers selling seeds have an incentive to provide high-quality seeds. They want you to be satisfied with your purchase and return as a customer.

Determining Your Exact Seed Viability Percentage

If you use the method described above, you can calculate your precise seed viability percentage. To determine this percentage, use the following formula:

• Number of seeds germinated / Number of seeds tested
• Multiply the result by 100 (or simply use the result if you are familiar with calculating percentages)

This will give you a fairly accurate picture of the percentage of seeds that will still germinate. This data helps gardeners estimate how many seeds they need to plant to get one plant.

For example, if your seeds have only 20% viability, you would need to sow five seeds to have a reasonable assurance that at least one of those seeds will grow into a plant.

How To Best Store Your Garden Seeds

There are many methods available for storing your seeds from one season to the next.

The golden rule is to keep seeds dry and cool.

Generally, you should store seeds in their original packets or, if not available, in a clean envelope. Place these packets or envelopes inside another container to keep them safe and organized.

We highly recommend using a photo organizer for storing garden seeds, as shown below. This has been one of the best investments we’ve made for seed storage; we have separate organizers for vegetables and flowers.

The individual containers are labeled with their contents, allowing for easy identification and organization of our entire seed collection.

Store your seeds in a consistently cool place, avoiding areas that can freeze or become too warm. Consistency in temperature is key.

We simply keep our seeds in a cool place within the house, where temperatures typically hover around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).

Some people store their garden seeds in a refrigerator. However, we find our fridge space too valuable for this purpose. If you choose this route, use airtight containers to prevent moisture from affecting your seeds.

Keep your seeds away from direct light or sunlight; however the envelope should provide sufficient protection from light.

If you’re collecting seeds from your own garden, ensure they are completely dry before storing them. Once dry, simply place them in an envelope and then into your storage container.

Notes On Seeds That Only Last One Year

Some types of seeds have relatively short lifespans in terms of their viability. For instance, some can only last a year or or maybe two.

It might seem quite wasteful to replace these seeds on an annual basis. Most people would agree with this sentiment.

As mentioned earlier, seed viability tends to decline gradually, more like a hill than a cliff.

We’ve tested many of these “short life” seed types beyond their ‘best by’ dates and found that they can still have plenty of viability left after that first year or two.

However, be aware that these short-lived seeds often experience a significant drop in viability just one or two years beyond that all ready low shelf life.

To ensure you get the desired number of plants, consider increasing the total amount of seeds you sow, especially as you move further away from the recommended shelf life.

This approach also helps you use up the seed packet more fully and get the most value out of it.