How I Store My Seeds

Since it's another rainy day here in Northern California, I'm couped up in the house.




I finally finished reading all of my backlogged blogs in Google Reader, and the post topic of de jour seems to be seeds, specifically storage/starting.

I posted last week about starting seeds, so here is how I buy and store them.

I try to buy local seeds just because it makes me feel better. While companies from across the country send me seed/plant catalogs and I relish reading them and seeing all the cool stuff, I'm really happy with a few local companies, and plan to stick with them. I'm partial to Renee's Garden Seeds (167 miles) because of their high germination rates and my personal success with them. I also like Peaceful Valley Farm Supply (55 miles) because it seems like a great company and I've had some successes with their products in the past - this will be my first year trying their seeds. I have a few packs from Cornucopia Seeds, which is another segment of Renee's Garden Seeds. And that's pretty much it really. For my needs, I find that a combination of these companies keep me happy and entertained. (When I don't buy from PCFS's catalog, I buy Renee's and Cornucopia seeds from my local OSH).



For storage, I have a plastic shoebox that is just the right size the lay seed packets on their side. I have them grouped alphabetically by vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers (there's that OCD thing again). I have a antidessicant packet in there from the last time Chris bought shoes to keep the moisture down. I store the box in a bottom cupboard in my dining room, as the temperature doesn't seem to fluctuate as much near the ground in there, and it doesn't receive direct sunlight.

Per my catalogued seed packets on MyFolia.com, I have 84 packets. Not a ton, but quite enough really!

As for this week, I checked my seed starting calendar and it looks like artichokes are up to start next.