Xtremehorticulture

Vegetable Seed Use and Storage

Q. I have some old vegetable seed that I planted. I was told I wasted my money and time. Do you think I did? Vegetable seed storage for longevity depends on which seed or cuttings depending on the vegetables but maintaining an appropriate temperature and low humidity are important. A. It depends on the seed, how it was stored and how old it was. Usually, large seed doesn’t store as long as smaller seed; maybe two or three years. Small seed might store for 5 or 6 years or longer.             The best temperature and humidity to store seed totals less than 100. That is directly from the National Seed Storage Lab in Ft. Collins, Co. For instance, if the temperature that they were stored totaled about 70F, then the humidity should be less than 30%. If the humidity was 70%, then the temperature needs to average around 30F. Of course the best temperature and humidity for seed storage is close to freezing for temperate seed. Having them both total less than 100 is suitable for a couple of years.             When using old seed, plant two and expect one to live is a good motto.             When storing seed, I try to keep the temperature and humidity of vegetable seed as low as possible. I stay away from buying seed exposed to heat or direct sunlight. I use a desiccant (corn starch works okay), put them in a glass jar with a screw lid, and put them in the fridge. They will keep this way for several to many years depending on the oil content of the seed. Small seed (e.g., tomato, eggplant, beet, carrot) usually has less oil in it than larger seed (e.g., beans, corn).

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How to Keep Harvested Garlic a Long Time

Q. I know garlic will keep 4 to 6 months in cooler climates. Since I don’t have a root cellar, what are my options for storing garlic? Tom at the Orchard tying garlic in onion netting for storage and sale. You can use pantyhose and cut the bulbs loose from the netting when one is needed. A. After harvesting garlic from the field or garden, we will tie the garlic together in bunches and let them hang outside to dry in the shade for a week or two. This helps “cure” the garlic bulb and readies it for storage. Some people want fresh garlic and in this case it is not “cured” but should be consumed soon.             Ideal storage environment is cool and dry, away from other food items that might absorb the flavor of garlic. Garlic under home conditions will store for about 2 to 3 months in a kitchen environment. Garlic hanging under shade cloth, tied in bunches, for curing for a couple of weeks.             An option is to dry the garlic and it will store indefinitely. If you still have garlic left after two to three months of storage, you can peel it, slice it thin by hand or in a food processor, dry it outside in the shade and low humidity of our Las Vegas environment. Always dry food in the shade, not in direct sunlight here. Keep drying temperatures below 140F if using a commercial drier or oven.

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