“I have packets of seeds from last year. One is a hummingbird mix, one a bee mix, 1 a honey bee mix etc. They’ve been stored in a plastic container in my basement, so they’ve been cool and dry. Should I refrigerate them from now until I’m ready to sow them or just leave them in the basement?” Question from Erin of Kirkwood, Missouri

Answer: Most annual and perennial seeds of temperate plants prefer similar storage conditions–as you said, they like it cool and dry. If properly stored, they can survive for several years with seed viability declining incrementally. In general, count on a storage life of around three to five years. (Click here for a detailed seed-storage chart from Johnny’s Seeds.)

Seeds store best when humidity is low and temperatures are around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. A cool, dry basement should be just fine, as long as it’s cool enough in winter and you store your seeds in a water-tight container. After planting them this spring, transition them into a well-sealed plastic container and keep them in the refrigerator because your basement will certainly be warmer through summer.

I hope that your flower seeds germinate beautifully!

Happy gardening!

Jessie Keith

Black Gold Horticulturist