Seeds exposed to moisture and/or warmth can have their sprouting triggered as these are springtime conditions. Don't let a "sprouting temp. of 85 degrees" fool you; that's ideal conditions and seeds rarely get ideal conditions in nature. If they get warm and wet they're gonna try to grow.
To keep seeds dry/viable:
- Keep in original packaging for easy ID
- Place packets in airtight tubberware with desiccant packets
- Place tubberware in fridge
- Do not let seeds warm up(quickly remove what you need and replace tubberware in fridge)
Desiccant packets can be hard to find and expensive to buy. Luckily you can make your own.
Homemade Desiccant Jars:
Silica Gel can be bought at most craft stores as a way to dry flowers. My local store carries a 20oz bag for $16. This should make ten 2oz desiccant jars.
Silica Gel should be prepped (and is refreshed) by baking at 300* for 3 hours to drive out the moisture. Use a specially designated baking tray that's only for crafts and not food.
Simply fill glass spice jars(be sure to record the weight) and use elastics/tape to keep doubled-over coffee filters covering the mouth of the jar. This lets in moisture in but keeps in the silica dust.
You'll know your desiccant jars needs to be refreshed when it weighs 1.3 times the origional weight. Just undo the top, dump the silica on the baking tray, and bake.
And now you know how to keep your seeds cold and dry, the viability percentage should stay high for years to come.
