Seed Storage: The Best Way to Store and Organize Garden Seeds
Last Updated on January 11, 2025
If you’re anything like me (or any other avid gardener I know) you likely have a huge collection of seeds. But it’s time to say goodbye to your overflowing, jumbled cardboard boxes or containers full of spilling, long-forgotten seed packs – and come say hello to the BEST way to store your garden seeds.
Our seed storage organizer is an incredibly effective, efficient, and tidy way to store and organize seeds by type. It works so well, it’s gone viral! Once you get your seed packs all neatly tucked into these containers, you will say: Where have you been all my life? Really.
While we’re at it, let’s also talk briefly about ideal seed storage conditions and seed “expiration dates”.
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The Best Way to Store and Organize Seeds is… In Photo Storage Cases
Check these out! We started using these storage containers for garden seeds many years ago, and never looked back. They make my little Type-A heart SO happy. I started sharing our seed storage organizers on Instagram back in 2017, which rapidly caught on as the most trendy and popular way to store seeds… and understandably so!
The containers were designed to fit 4×6” photographs, but are the ideal size for storing seed packs. They keep seed packages perfectly organized, secure and dry. The particular brand of cases we like are also exceptionally well-made, sturdy, and long-lasting.
Labelling
To organize seeds, we create and label each individual case for every category of vegetable, flower, and herb seed. We use these labels, which fit perfectly on the top of each inner case.
For example, we have one case for tomatoes, lettuce, eggplant, melons, cauliflower, squash seeds, and more. We have so many seeds that I broke them down further when needed, like “hot peppers” and “sweet peppers”, or “short radishes” along with a box for “long radish” daikon types. For even better organization, I use big one box for our summer crops, and another for cool season seeds for the fall and winter garden.
In addition to looking neat and organized, this seed storage system makes everything so easy to find. When I need to take inventory of what seeds we have or what to order more of, I can quickly go through each box and make a list. If I want to head out to the garden to plant a quick bed of carrots, I can just grab the smaller case of carrot seeds and bring it with me!
RELATED: Come see the 13 best places to buy heirloom and organic garden seeds, when to start seeds (including planting calendars for every growing zone), or learn best practices for starting seeds indoors.
Our Seed Storage Boxes
We use these photo storage boxes to store garden seeds. They are available either in a two-pack or a single container. There is also a multi-colored option, which would be super cute for color-coding veggie and flower seeds into a corresponding/matching case.
There are some slightly cheaper options out there, but we love that our seed storage containers are made in the USA and very high quality. Some folks have found similar boxes at Michael’s or other craft stores, but reported back that they’re made in China and the clasps or handles are not nearly as durable, often breaking within just a few months. In contrast, we’ve had ours for almost 10 years and they’re still in pristine condition!
Each large box contains 16 individual cases inside. The 4×6” cases can hold anywhere from 6 to over a dozen seed packages, depending on the size of the seeds. Meaning, fewer packets of large seeds like beans or corn will fit in each case compared to tiny seeds like kale or tomatoes. In that case, I simply created two “bean” boxes to fit them all.
Ideal Conditions for Storing Seeds
But… Don’t seeds have to be stored in the refrigerator?
There is a common suggestion floating around in the gardening world that seeds must be stored in the refrigerator. Sure, the temperature range of 32-41°F can be ideal for long term storage. However, it isn’t mandatory. Furthermore, storing seeds in the fridge isn’t practical for most people. Particularly for those of us with large seed collections, and a fridge already stuffed to the brim with homegrown produce!
Any cool, dry, dark location is suitable for storing seeds. Inside a closet, cabinet, north-facing room in your home that isn’t subject to temperature swings, or in a cool basement are all excellent choices. Heck, these seed organizers would even slip nicely under a bed!
“Consistency is key when it comes to temperature and humidity levels. This is why you should avoid storing seeds in a spot that isn’t climate-controlled, like a garage or shed, where temperatures and moisture levels can fluctuate wildly.”
Seed Savers Exchange
Moisture is the absolute worst for seeds; less than 40% humidity is ideal. That’s another added benefit of our photo storage seed boxes: they’re double-encased to keep moisture out. If you do choose to store your seeds in a refrigerator, store them in an air-tight container. If needed, use silica desiccant packs inside your seed storage containers to absorb excess moisture. Also, if you are a seed-saver yourself, make sure the seeds are 100% dry before storing them!
Seed Expiration Dates
Can I use old seeds past their “sell by” or expiration date?
Yes, within reason. As opposed to an expiration date, you’ll most often see “packed for” (or sell by) date on garden seed packages – such as packed for 2018. The date represents when they will be the freshest, and most closely follow their listed germination rate, which is the percentage of seeds that successfully sprouted during trials at the seed company. Yet most seeds will successfully sprout and grow for many years beyond that date, depending on the type of seed (and how they were stored).
Most seeds are viable for about three to four years past their “sell by” date (on average). Over time, the germination rate and viability will decline. To overcome that, we simply sow a few extra “old” seeds when we’re using them. Yet keep in mind that some types of seeds hold up longer in storage better than others. For example, crops like onions, leeks, parsnips, and spinach are notoriously short-lived. Try to use those up more quickly!
See the seed viability chart below to see how long do seeds last. When in doubt, you can also perform a simple seed germination test to see if they’ll still sprout – before you bother planting them!
And there you have it: the best seed storage system, ever.
Thanks for tuning in today. I hope you find this new seed storage system as handy, easy, and fun as we do. Now go have fun organizing all your seeds!
You may also like:
- 7 Useful Seed Starting Supplies for Success Indoors
- How to Test Seed Germination: Easy Paper Towel Method
- Transplanting Seedlings Outside: Tips for Success
- How to Amend and Fertilize Garden Bed Soil Between Seasons
- 17+ Wonderful Winter Garden Activities (Projects) To Do Indoors
Deanna Talerico
Deanna Talerico (aka DeannaCat) is a garden educator and writer with over 15 years experience in organic gardening. She is a retired Senior Environmental Health Specialist, and holds a M.A. in Environmental Studies and B.S. in Sustainability and Natural Resources.
36 Comments
Concept Industries
Seed storage is the biggest task. If it is fresh then it’s useful or else vice versa. I hope it works…
Arthur
I love this very informative article! Thanks for sharing.
Brandy
Awesome. Ordering now!!
Question: i found some seeds from last year that got left in the garage by mistake over the summer.. yikes.. should I try them anyway or toss??
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hello Brandy, we typically use seeds that are even a few years old though the germination rates can decrease with age. It really depends on how hot your garage gets during the summer? If it gets too hot then that will have an effect on the vitality of the seeds, i would still try and germinate the seeds but I wouldn’t hold out too much hope just in case. Good luck!
Kim Wendt
I just ordered this Iris box, after looking at the other cheaper ones… Definitely bite the bullet, by the iris. The reviews across the board are much more favorable than the reviews for other knock off brands. Shipping may still cost damage, something to watch for when shipping any plastic item. But once you get it, check it over make sure it’s fine, the iris box is amazing. Thank you so much for this tip!
Rachel
Do you have any other suggestions for other brands to look for? Unfortunately these are sold out on the iris USA website and I’m not too keen on supporting amazon or Walmart. I will keep looking for more American made storage and let you know what I find! Thanks for all the helpful tips
DeannaCat
Hi Rachel – This is the only brand we’re familiar with, sorry. I understand many folks don’t love to support Amazon, but here is another side of the coin you may not have considered: we, a small business (along with other bloggers), are able to make commission and a decent portion of our blog income from the Amazon affiliate program. This helps support our work, taking a chunk away from Amazon at no cost to the buyer. Also, a huge number of small businesses sell their products on Amazon – from authors (and personal friends!) to fermentation devices to small eyewear companies. It’s not just the “big guys”. Finally, Amazon supplies jobs to hundreds of thousands of people that rely on that income to support their families. During this pandemic, Amazon may be the only supplier that is able to safely and quickly deliver necessities to folks who live in remote places or otherwise can’t get out. Anywho, I’m not trying to convince anyone to fall in love with Amazon by any means, and I know there are still problems I didn’t address. Yet I too used to have similar sentiments when it came to shopping, but have learned to see the larger picture and have had this discussion with folks on Instagram a lot. Some people don’t realize small businesses and individuals greatly benefit from Amazon too. Thanks for reading!
Lu
Hello Rachel! You can purchase these at Staples. If you purchase them online shipping is free. You can purchase two to a set and they are a little cheaper than purchasing them from Amazon or eBay. I just purchased them for my partner who keeps a lot of seeds. He has so many seeds I think he is going to need both organizers. I might just purchase another set for myself for my special collection of seeds. I think this is a brilliant storage system!
Thank you Deanna for your website! It was here that I found out about this great organizer.
Laurene B
I got this box for my daughter for Christmas, even loading a couple boxes with seeds I had saved. She loved it and said it was her favorite present. I had seen it mentioned in a previous blog of yours.
Jack
This is a awesome way to store seed packets ! Thankyou for all of the great info on your website !
Rachel
I have the same boxes and adore them. They are on sale right now at Michael’s craft store for $14.99 and they have curbside pick up here in WA state!
Charlene
I love your site. Beautiful pics and best yet… the organization you have. Wow. I clicked your link to the boxes you use to store your seeds and I’m not clear on what they are selling. What are the small boxes that your seed packets are in and what is the container called that holds your seed boxes? Thanks.
DeannaCat
Hi Charlene. The photos in this post show how to use them. Each individual case within the larger box are perfect seed-package size and can hold about a dozen seed packages each. You can then use each individual case to organize/group the types of seeds – one case for tomatoes, one for peppers, one for eggplant, and so on. (or, a few for each, if you have a lot of each type). Then those individual cases are stored together inside a larger box that clamps shut and has a handle for easy carrying. I hope that helps.
Donal
This is a great idea! One question: are these containers air- or moisture-proof? I would like to be able to control the moisture levels during storage.
Thanks.
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hello Donal, they are not exactly the same as an “air tight” sealed container. Yet because they are double-contained into two layers of enclosed plastic containers, they are very moisture resistant and perfect for seed storage in our experience! Hope that helps and good luck!