Safeguard Your Seeds Properly: Shield Them from Moisture and Mice Using These Handy Storage Containers
**Top Seed Storage Solutions for Gardeners**
Storing and organising gardening seeds is crucial to ensure their longevity and readiness for planting. Here are some of the best seed storage solutions that cater to various preferences and needs.
**Airtight Glass Jars and Mason Jars**
These containers offer an excellent barrier against moisture and are inert, meaning they won’t react with seeds or release harmful chemicals. Store seeds inside with silica gel packets to absorb residual moisture. The jars are easy to seal tightly, reusable, and stackable, making them efficient space-savers.
**Vacuum-Sealed Plastic Vaults**
High-grade plastic seed vaults with vacuum-seal tops provide superior moisture, pest, and rodent resistance. They come in various sizes, making them versatile for different seed collections. These vaults can be opened and closed easily, saving space and keeping seeds viable for years. They are also water- and pest-resistant, making them a freezer-safe option for long-term storage.
**Specialized Metal Tins**
Sturdy metal seed tins, like the Martha's Vineyard Seed Tin, protect seeds from moisture, light, and pests. They are attractive, easy to access, and come with powder-coated surfaces for extra protection.
**Wooden Storage Boxes with Adjustable Compartments**
Wooden boxes made from reclaimed timber offer eco-friendly, durable storage with customizable compartments for different seed packet sizes. Adjustable dividers help organize seeds by type or season, and the boxes are deep enough for various packet sizes.
## Comparison Table
| Storage Solution | Moisture Resistance | Pest Resistance | Organization | Eco-Friendly | Durability | Notes | |----------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|--------------|--------------|------------|-------------------------------| | Airtight Glass/Mason Jars | High | Moderate | Moderate | Yes | High | Add silica gel for extra dry | | Plastic Vacuum-Sealed Vaults | Very High | Very High | High | Moderate | High | Freezer-safe, space-saving | | Metal Tins | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Very High | Stylish, easy to access | | Wooden Box with Compartments | Moderate | Moderate | Very High | Very High | High | Customizable, eco-friendly |
## Additional Tips
- **Label Every Container:** Clearly label each jar, tin, or box with seed type and date for easy identification. - **Store in Cool, Dry Places:** Keep seeds in a consistently cool, dry location within your shed or greenhouse. - **Use Desiccants:** Silica gel packets or rice in small cloth bags can help maintain low humidity inside any container.
These storage solutions will help keep your gardening seeds organised, protected, and ready for planting season after season.
The small box from Garden Trading is 20cm across and has a powder-coated steel box with a minimal beech wood handle. The smart tin from Garden Trading is not specifically designed for seed storage but can be used for storing seed packets, twine, gardening knives, etc. The Gardening Naturally Seed Storage and Tools Tin is a stylish seed box made from powder-coated steel with three separate sections for seed storage.
The Eden Project Shop sells a small Tarlton Storage Tin for £20.00, while Grace & Grey sells a larger one for £40.00. The Gardener's Seed Storage Box is a customizable seed box with four useful dividers labeled 'veg', 'herbs', 'flowers', and a blank tab for extra packets. The Sarah Raven Seed Tin costs £15.25 and comes with four packets of bird-friendly flowers.
Thompson & Morgan Tin and flower seeds is a vintage-style seed box that comes with 10 packets of flower seeds and care instructions. It is a small box, suitable for storage of other items after use. Other seed tin collections can be found at Sarah Raven.
Emma Bridgewater also offers a set of three veggie-themed storage tins. The article includes a disclaimer about getting a commission from offers and terms & conditions and privacy policy agreements. The Emma Bridgewater Greenhouse Tin is a less conventional seed storage option shaped like a greenhouse, with room for seed packets inside. The lid of the Garden Trading tin lifts on hinges for easy access.
Links for purchasing the mentioned seed tins and storage tins are provided in the article.
- Gardening, lifestyle, and home-and-garden enthusiasts will find various seed storage solutions helpful for maintaining their plant collections.
- For gardeners who prefer a traditional approach, airtight glass jars or mason jars offer efficient moisture resistance, making them an ideal choice for storing seeds.
- For those seeking superior protection, vacuum-sealed plastic vaults offer exceptional moisture, pest, and rodent resistance, making them an excellent choice for long-term seed storage.
- Eco-conscious gardeners may prefer wooden storage boxes with adjustable compartments, made from reclaimed timber, providing durable and customizable storage options, ideal for organizing seeds by type or season.
