Following the topic on seed organisation I think a topic dedicated to seed drying would be nice. How do you dry your seeds?
I 'll let you know how I do later but diyseeds.org is to me still the best ressource on the Internet : Extraction, wet-processing, drying and sorting of seed | Diyseeds
you even have dedicated tips if you watch the different videos per species! Films | Diyseeds
And that being available in 9 languages already! DIYseeds
My seeds usually spend about a month sitting on a paper plate on top of the refrigerator.
Between the fridge and the a/c it’s very dry well circulated air.
The only seeds, so far, that require any extra are squash seeds.
It also keeps them out of the way of kids, pets, or anyone else who might disturb them while drying.
Primitively.
Usually i’m not hindered by anyone’s knowledge of how to do it ‘best’, i create a space where it can hang out of the way of rain, so no rotting and animals eating them. Hanging it out of the way in my ceilings on a rack in a carbord box or if it won’t fall down a little metal rack to uptick airflow, attics of barns, little garden sheds or even old vehicles.
If it’s wet stuff i can dry them on plates or paper in the windowsil if weather is good and otherwise around the woodstove or rinse it in water in a sieve to get rid of edible parts.
Takes up quite some time, which i do not have really, but i keep going with the thought it’s important for the future and prep wise.
I would love to get more professional about it though, so will be following this thread.
Seed drying room. Things are usually spread out loosely on tarps or in wide containers to maximize air circulation. I let them sit there until they are crisp and can be threshed, walked on etc and sorted.
Drying rack for wet set process. Made it with the help of a colleague from the carts used in kitchens for oven racks retrofitted with thin wooden plates cut to size. It allows me to let the seed fully dry without taking up too much space.
Some seed other people like to look at so I place them in sight for them to enjoy while they dry
Keeping dry. Seed in larger quantities stored in glass. I prefer the airtight seals. New studies show that oxygen play a much larger role in affecting seed longevity than previously thought. The less oxygen for the seed to use, the slower metabolism = prolongs longevity. (Same goes for humidity and to a less extent heat).
Should we really aim for maximum seed storage ability if we try to entice amateur gardeners to join? I mean if they just fiddle however , would it not be better to breed for seeds that can withstand amateur seed saving techniques amateur gardeners or poor farmers are using? Not trying to derail the topic, but I do wonder
Oops, I forgot about this nice resource already there with its dedicated topic I did not follow: Seed Storage Techniques- A Shared Document Open for Comments
With its joint document: seed storage.pdf
In that case, would it be worth vacuum sealing jars so no air is present?
I don’t think most gardeners aim for maximum seed longevity and don’t think many people here do either. I take it as an added benefit. Glass jars are a relatively low-tech solution and many people already use it without being aware of the added benefit.
Theoretically yes. The authors of the study also recommend fitting seed into airtight containers like those glass jars in a way where the seed volume fits the volume of the jar. That equals less oxygen for the seed to spend. Do note that as soon as you open the jar, new oxygen comes in. I think of it mainly as an added benefit for seed I don’t regularly open and use, but store as part of a seed bank.
If you want to read more, the study I’m referring to is this one: Groot, S. P., de Groot, L., Kodde, J., & van Treuren, R. (2015). Prolonging the longevity of ex situ conserved seeds by storage under anoxia. Plant Genetic Resources, 13(1), 18-26.
