Seed storage is a somewhat delicate art. Most seeds generally need to be kept very dry throughout storage to keep them viable for planting later. This may sound easy, but moisture can come from all sorts of environmental sources, and even storing your seeds in airtight containers can't keep them completely dry all of the time. You'll need to support them with a special anti-moisture agent, which you'll read about below.
Instructions
1. Cut out four squares of cheesecloth that are approximately four inches long on each side. Layer all four pieces on top of one another.
2. Dump two heaping spoonfuls of powdered milk right in the center of the top layer of cheesecloth. Gather the corners of the cheesecloth stack together to make a little pouch, then secure the corners and edges together using a rubber band.
3. Put the cheesecloth pouch and your dried seeds into the glass jar and seal it closed. Be sure to use the kind of jar that has a rubber gasket, because it provides the tightest seal. Preferably, you should use a jar that also has a wide mouth so that you can add and remove seeds quickly.
4. Open the jar for only as long as is absolutely necessary when taking out seeds for planting or when adding more dried seeds. This is important because the powdered milk will constantly absorb moisture from the atmosphere; within the jar, it can only absorb a small amount of moisture over a long period of time. With the jar open, the powdered milk will absorb a far greater amount of moisture from the outside air.
5. Replace the powdered milk about every six months. You may continue to use the same cheesecloth squares for as long as they will hold together, however.
Tags: powdered milk, amount moisture, dried seeds, keep them, milk will, moisture from