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How To Make Your Own Seed Bank

Saving seeds from the garden is something that has been done since the very first farmers began cultivating their own food sources. Having a seed bank will ensure you have all the seeds you want in one spot! Whether you are preparing for the long-term future or want to store your favorite seed varieties for the next season, here are some storage tips to practice in order to keep your seeds as fresh as possible.

Seed banks are collections of seeds that are stored for long-term future use. You can use a seed bank for long-term preparedness, to store in your bug out bags, or just to store until the next growing season. There are many reasons why we should store seeds, [1] but ultimately, it is a lifeline for when we need to count on having food the most – such as the current unsteady times we are all living through.

What types of seeds should you save?

Ideally, those who are looking for a long-term survival plan prefer to store open-pollinated seeds [2] that will produce seeds you can use the next growing season. As well, it could also be good to store some seeds that are disease-resistant varieties as a back-up. Store seeds from your favorite vegetables, fruits, [3] and grains. As well, it would be a good idea to store native perennial flowers to help attract beneficial pollinators. Siberian Wallflowers, poppies, lavender, lemon balm, and purple coneflower (echinacea) are all great options for this I personally have all of these planted around my greenhouse. Some of these can also be used in teas and as medicinal herbs or for rounding out your garden.

For a quick go-to guide on seed saving, click here [4].

How long do seeds last?

As far as how long seeds will last, that is entirely up to the storage method you use. Seeds will store for longer if it is in a climate-controlled environment. Temperature and humidity fluctuations can affect seed health.

If seeds are stored properly, some can last indefinitely. That said, with some seeds that are high in oil content, their germination rates can lower after a few years. Typically, larger seeds like beans, peas, and corn will last the longest. If you keep your seeds dry and cool, you can expect many of them to last longer than the time periods indicated here:

We recommend you purchase non-GMO heirloom seeds [8]. As stated above, heirloom seeds will be able to be planted and saved year after year dropping their initial cost to almost $0! Need a few more reasons to purchase heirloom seeds? Click here [9].

Check for germination rates of your seeds. Here’s a trick to check the germination rates for your seeds:

How to make a seed bank

Store your seeds properly. Seeds store best in low oxygen, low humidity, and low-temperature environments. As well, use an airtight container. We like to use Mylar bags [10] as these will keep out light, moisture, and insects. But, you can always use a kraft envelope or Mason jar with a lid if you are in a pinch.

Using your seed bank

If you have frozen your seeds, it is important to protect the frozen seeds as much as possible. When you are ready to use your survival seed bank, follow these instructions:

Collecting and storing seeds from the garden is a low-cost way to ensure you have all of your favorite seeds ready for planting when you need it most. Whether you are concerned about economic instability or are an avid gardener looking for ways to have plenty of your favorite seed varieties creating a seed bank is the way to go.

What ways do you save your seeds?