Should I keep these seeds?
 

I started hoarding vegetable seeds about two years ago, buying them on eBay, before I really started reading about GMO seeds, and now I'm second-guessing the older seed packs I have that aren't labeled organic or heirloom. I'm considering throwing out the ones that aren't labeled organic or heirloom, but I don't know. Should I keep them, and if so, is there a way to tell if they're heirloom and non-GMO?

Re: Should I keep these seeds?
 

might as well plant them a get a crop out of them at least.

Re: Should I keep these seeds?
 

Take 10-12 seeds of each variety, soak in water, put in a damp paper towel in a dark, warm location...dampen the paper towel the next day too. Inspect about day 3 for % sprouts. I find that many seeds that are two-three years old go WAY down in germination. I've had Blue Lake green beans go under 20% in 2 years....

I think a lot of people storing packs of seed are in for a surprise.

Re: Should I keep these seeds?
 

But what if they are GMO or non-heirloom? What about pollen from GMO and non-heirloom plants if these are?

Re: Should I keep these seeds?
 

Stuff like this worries me:

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/f...urrentPage=all

Re: Should I keep these seeds?
 

Here's another article that worries me:

http://www.dailyyonder.com/monsanto-...-through-seeds

Re: Should I keep these seeds?
 

When you get time you should watch this video. These people are truly evil! The World According to monsanto

Re: Should I keep these seeds?
 

is there anyway to store the seeds for longer storage Tn Andy

Re: Should I keep these seeds?
 

Cool and dry is the key. Remember they are a living entity in suspended animation. I've never tried freezing, but would suspect many would not react favorable to that......but I can't say for sure.

Re: Should I keep these seeds?
 

The "Doomsday" Seed vault is located up in the Arctic. All the seeds will be stored in freezing conditions to help preserve them for a very long period of time.

Here are a couple of links. Videos at the second link explain more.

I wonder what kind of disaster they are expecting as this thing has gone from the drawing board to being open in an incredibly short period of time.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...ault-pictures/

http://www.ufoblogger.blogspot.com/2...vault-for.html

Re: Should I keep these seeds?
 

I last saved seeds from my heirloom tomatoes in 2002, and my seed stocks are getting pretty low for most varieties. Spring '08 sowings from the '02 seeds averaged 80% germination rate, and I plan to again save seeds from everything this year. Tomatoes reportedly store quite well, provided they are kept cool & dry, although I don't know about any other varieties. I keep mine in paper seed envelopes wrapped in bubble wrap with silica gel packets and stored in the door of my refrigerator, FWIW

Re: Should I keep these seeds?
 

If you first dry them to less than 8% moisture, seal them in an airtight container and freeze them, then the seeds will last decades.

If they are too far over 8% moisture however, freezing will rupture the the cell walls.

Source: Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners by Suzanne Ashworth