Dollar Stretching Saturday: Extra Seeds? Save 'Em!

If you're winter sowing, or when you start your seeds later in the spring, if you have any seeds left in the packet, you might be tempted to do as many gardeners do and throw them in the trash. Don't do it! Instead, save leftover seeds for future years. If you store them properly, they will be good for at least three or four years. Just grab some clean, dry jars (canning jars or jars with a rubber gasket lid works best) and put about an inch of powdered milk in the bottom. Add your seed packets, screw on the lid tightly, and place in a cool, dark location.

Even better than seed packets are desiccant packets, which you can either buy at hardware or craft stores or you can recycle the packets that come in items you buy (like shoes and some electronics). To "recharge" already-used packets, just place them on a baking sheet and put them in a preheated 250 degree oven for two or three hours. (The heat of the oven will evaporate any water the packets have absorbed.) For the longest lasting seeds, the jars should be kept either in a cellar or in a refrigerator; if you can buy an inexpensive "mini fridge" for your seeds, all the better, and if you simply can't spare refrigerator room, place the jars in a cool, dark closet. Some gardeners also like to freeze their seeds, but their are differing opinions on whether this works better than refrigerating them.