| In a disaster scenario, where there are food | | | | Tomato - 4-7 years |
| shortages, survival seeds could be more precious | | | | Turnip - 5-8 years |
| than gold. It will mean the difference between life | | | | Watermelon - 4-6 years |
| and death for some. When buying seeds for a | | | | Packaging and Storage |
| survival garden or homestead, there are certain | | | | Finding out from the retailer how the seeds are |
| considerations that one should be aware of before | | | | stored and if they are stored for long term use will |
| purchasing. | | | | save a person the headache of doing it themselves. |
| Buy Heirloom, Open Pollinated and Non-GMO (non | | | | Seeds should be stored in an airtight container where |
| genetically modified) | | | | the natural elements such as sunlight, warmth, |
| When buying seeds for a survival garden, or | | | | oxygen and moisture cannot get to them. |
| homestead, make sure that the seeds purchased are | | | | Seeds can be properly stored by using different |
| open pollinated, heirloom and non hybrid seeds. These | | | | methods: |
| have not been genetically modified and will still have | | | | Packaging seeds by using zip loc bags placed into |
| the capacity to produce viable seeds for their crops. | | | | paper bags so sunlight cannot get through. Paper |
| How Many Seeds are Needed | | | | envelopes placed in air tight jars. Vacuum sealed bags. |
| Do research to find how many crops are produced | | | | Many people use their refrigerators, freezers and |
| by each plant and take into account how many | | | | basements as a storage facility for seeds. Seeds can |
| members of the family will be eating the crops. | | | | become damaged do to exposure of high and low |
| Typically, a person does not need to use an entire | | | | temperatures. Additionally, keeping seeds at room |
| packet unless they are on a farm. | | | | temperature will cause the embryo to consume its |
| Longevity of Seeds | | | | stored sugars within the seed casing and will either |
| Seeds are alive, and will expire. If they are not | | | | get too weak to germinate or die altogether. Find the |
| stored properly, there longevity is depleted. There | | | | best ways to store seeds according to the area you |
| are many survival seed websites that offer seeds | | | | live in. For example, a person who lives in a high |
| that only last 1-2 years. When preparing to buy | | | | humid producing area would want to package their |
| seeds, find out from the seed distributor how old the | | | | seeds differently than someone who lives in a low |
| seeds are. Furthermore, do some research and find | | | | humid producing area. |
| out which seeds last longer than others and what the | | | | Guarantee |
| best ways are to store the seeds. Typically, larger | | | | Find out from the seed retailer if the seeds are |
| seeds such as corn, beans and melon seeds last | | | | guaranteed. In the event that the seeds are not |
| longer than the smaller seeds like carrots. | | | | viable, and do not produce, a person would want |
| Some of the longer lasting seeds are: | | | | their money refunded from the seed distributor. |
| Broccoli - 4-5 years | | | | Contacting the company and asking will help ensure |
| Brussel Sprouts - 4-5 years | | | | there is a guarantee. |
| Cabbage - 4-5 years | | | | Seeds hold the key to long term survival. By making |
| Cantaloupe - 6-10 years | | | | sure that seeds are the right type and in the best |
| Cucumbers - 5-7 | | | | condition for future use will ensure that they will be |
| Sunflowers - 4-6 years | | | | ready for growing when a person needs them the |
| Kohlrabi - 4-5 years | | | | most. |