Storing Seed

Storing Seed Mixtures

Seed Mixtures are best sown within two years from delivery, but even at two years with care and attention, the rate that the seeds will germinate will be about 30-40% lower, so why would you.

If your stuck (tnc’s apply) we can store the seed for you.

Storing Seed

Seed is alive. Changes in moisture, drafts, swings of warm to cool, cold to hot, cause stress to seeds and start processes towards the loss of viability.

Viability describes the number of seeds that will grow in any lot or sample. Alas viability is effected by storage.

The longer most seeds are kept in storage, the more viability is lost both, in each individual seed and across the entire lot.

The Viability of some species improves in the mid-term, and requires storage, as in the wild they waited until conditions were perfect, so they developed seed triggers.

Seed triggers tell the seed to germinate, most seeds that need to germinate soon after collection by us or via natural dispersal, will germinate fast. A dormancy seed trigger effect about 40% of a species will delay germination even when conditions are perfect. These deep dormant seeds need first and foremost to have a hard or perfect seed coat to survive over longer periods than the first spring or autumn main germination times. In our extensive range of species we also have plants like clover that require warm soils to germinate in. The triggers and other factors in the seeds coat and ‘gearing’ respond to environmental changes of moisture light and temperature.

Storing Seed

On receiving a delivery, during transport and before use, the seed packet must never be placed in direct sunlight especially behind a window, be it car, kitchen, glasshouse or polytunnel.

Ideally place the seeds in a vermin proof tin, kept cool and dry. No near any heating system.

If your not ready to sow, seed will last up to two years, but need to be checked for moths.

We prefer if you would sow your seed as soon as it arrives, unless the site is very weedy or weather disallows sowing.

Storing large scale lots of Seed

If stored ‘full to the brim’ in non breathable containers, moulds my grow, as the seed inner temperature may vary from the outer surface of the container and cause damp on the inside of the container due to condensation.

Vermin

Vermin are attracted to large lots especially conservation brush harvested seed lots with wild grass and chaff.

The smell, density and storage bin are often enough to deter vermin from well cleaned dry seed.

The species that rats most enjoy or ‘seem to’ go for in order are, Grass seeds of all types, then Corncockle, Vetch, Meadowsweet, and Valerian.