To freeze or not to freeze...seeds that is

[mensplace]

As I am planting this year's varieties I am saving five of each to assure seed next year from the parent stock. Some say to merely use a glass jar with silica gell, but I have read about the freezing of seed for preservation purposes. If the seed were kept in vaccum sealed bags with a silica gel packet or two in each, is anything to be gained by putting the jar in a freezer...OR is it even really desirable?

[Gobig_or_Gohome_toms]

Short term storage a year or two you could just leave them in the seed packet out of high humidity. Long term storage you might want to look into other means like freezing.

I just have mine in coin sized zip lock envelopes and then store them in quart jars in the cool basement.

[dice]

Someone informally estimated that you get 5 years of storage
life for keeping them dry and another 5 for keeping them refrigerated, too. Archival storage is below freezing:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archiv...8/seed0998.htm

[Off topic: cold frame example]

Remember when you were asking about cold frames?
I thought of this picture at the time, but I did not remember
where it was bookmarked. I just came across it while searching
for URL for the long-term seed storage article:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...otbed05029.jpg

Note that the grower has a 3' deep hole under it filled with a
mix of straw and manure to provide enough heat to keep
seedlings from freezing at night, and that he closes the ends
up at night.

[mensplace]

Originally Posted by dice

Someone informally estimated that you get 5 years of storage
life for keeping them dry and another 5 for keeping them refrigerated, too. Archival storage is below freezing:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archiv...8/seed0998.htm

Five years should be PLENTY for me! Thanks

[Off topic: cold frame example]

Remember when you were asking about cold frames?
I thought of this picture at the time, but I did not remember
where it was bookmarked. I just came across it while searching
for URL for the long-term seed storage article:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...otbed05029.jpg

Note that the grower has a 3' deep hole under it filled with a
mix of straw and manure to provide enough heat to keep
seedlings from freezing at night, and that he closes the ends
up at night.

With my Airedale, Abby, now in a new home where she has a whole young family in the country with plenty of room to run, I now have my Florida room back. This gives me a 14 X 14 glassed space for seed starting...which I have been doing during these super cold days of staying inside. I'm bringing the flats inside at night, but by Friday the night's lows should be back to normal, so a small heater should suffice. When I can get back outdoors I intend to have a coldframe done for a LOT of uses, so thanks for the reminder and image!

I think that when you start lingering around the tomato section of the grocery and markets, this neurosis is getting serious!