A couple of years ago I decided I'd save some of my pea seeds for the following year's garden. I allowed them to dry on the vine, then I placed them in the freezer until planting. But, I did not have the confidence that they would truly sprout, so I never used them and of course, they're long gone now. Do you think that would have worked? The peas were Wandos. I've not tried saving seeds before, so need plenty of instruction.

Thanks for reading.

-- Dianne in Mass (dianne.bone@usa.net), June 06, 2001

Answers

Dianne, I save pea and bean seeds all the time and get a really high rate of germination, especially if I use them within a couple of years.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), June 06, 2001.

I should add, NON-HYBRID varieties.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), June 06, 2001.

Why put the seeds in the freezer? I allways just put them in a cool, air tight container in a dark place. Next time a few weeks before planting in the garden do a test planting in a controled place. Plant a exact number of seeds and count the results, if you plant fifty and only six come up, that is likely to happen in your garden; if you plant fifty and forty seven come up, go ahead and use them.

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), June 06, 2001.

If we are in doubt, we try germinating a few of the seeds. Place seeds on a wet paper towel, fold, and put in a small plastic bag. Let sit in a warm place until several days past the normal germination time period. Check occasionally.

-- Nancy Bakke-McGonigle Mn. Sunset (dmcgonig@smig.net), June 06, 2001.

Hi, all,

Thanks for all the suggestions. And Mitch, I have no idea why we put them in the freezer. I probably hear or read that somewhere and thought it made sense at the time.

What I'll have to do is test my seeds as suggested then just take a leap of faith and plant. The worst thing that can happen is they don't sprout. If that happens, I'll just try again.

Thanks all.

-- Dianne in Mass (dianne.bone@usa.net), June 06, 2001.

I all ways thought we put the sed in the freezer to keep out bugs and insects. Jay central NC

-- jay vance (jay.l.vance@worldnet.att.net), June 06, 2001.

Dianne, the reason for putting seeds in the refrigerator (NOT THE FREEZER) is that is the one place that offers a unchanging environment compared to basement,garage,closet,etc. If you keep them in a sealed canning glass jar with 2 heaping tablespoons of powdered milk folded into a kleenex (change the milk & kleenex twice a yr.)in the refrigerator the seeds will last 3 to 5 yrs. I have done some that were 4 yrs old and they sprouted. To test for seed viability, lay 20 seeds in along in the middle of a moistened towel, twist ends and place in a glass with a couple inches of water in it, place glass in warm area like kitchen counter,check water level every so often, after 3 weeks,count those that actually grew into seedlings and you will have a rough percentage of what your good seeds are.

-- TomK (tjk@cac.net), June 06, 2001.

I knew I took this question to the right place. Thanks to everyone who offered their excellent suggestions. That's the true nature of country people; always willing to help.

Thanks again.

-- Dianne in Mass (dianne.bone@usa.net), June 07, 2001.