Regarding freezing seed for storage, I'd tend to agree with Mike that the best strategy for most vegetable seeds is to dry them well, then store them in the fridge (not the freezer) in a sealable plastic bag.
Here's a useful fact sheet - http://www.ext.colostate.edu/Pubs/Garden/07221.html. But, in Atlanta, I suggest you call Bobby Wilson at Cooperative Extension. He will know, or know who to ask. The key to storing seed is to induce dormancy and avoid rotting. Thus, you want to keep them cool and dry. If it is for a longer period (months), you might want to add a packet of desiccant/dehydrating compound to the storage bag. Some seeds (cukes) last a longer time, others (sweet corn) don't, but no seed remains viable forever (though some have remained viable a very long time, in places like caves in the Sinai desert). After a certain period, the dormancy deepens to the point that the seed never wakes up. Freezing is actually necessary for some seeds, such as some kinds of wildflowers and native woodies (not veggies, though), to break dormancy. Freezing also kills bugs. However, if seeds contain moisture, freezing will cause them to expand, possibly rendering them useless, and may cause other problems. I personally store my seeds in plastic baggies either in the fridge (expensive or rare seed) or in our basement, which is always cool. I put each species in a separate sandwich ziploc bag, then group the bags (ie. lettuce; brassicas; etc) in gallon freezer ziplocs. Cryogenic storage is another matter, far removed from everyday community gardening. It calls for special techniques and materials, and is expensive - it is used to preserve seed of endangered species etc. Good gardening! Don Boekelheide Urban Ministry Center Charlotte NC ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
