As noted [1] here earlier,  the Rye Winter Farmers’ Market this coming Saturday, January 16, will include a Seed Exchange table. In preparation, here are some tips as you sort out what to keep and what to swap:

Inventory your seeds

Before you order seeds, take a look at what you have left over from previous years. A few guidelines will help you decide which seeds are still good and which should be discarded.

Of primary importance is the way seeds have been stored. Exposure to moisture causes seed viability to decline, so seeds should be stored in a dry place in an airtight, watertight container. Zipper freezer bags, glass jars, plastic containers, and metal boxes can be used if they seal tightly. Buckets with tight lids also work for larger seeds like beans and corn. In humid climates, a desiccant such as silica gel or dry milk powder can be placed in the container to absorb moisture. Seed also should be kept cool, and can even be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

If seeds have been stored properly, and are not pelleted or otherwise pre-treated, this is the number of years you can expect them to remain viable:

• 1 year: onions, parsnips, parsley, salsify, scorzonera, and spinach

• 2 years: corn, peas, beans, chives, okra, dandelion

• 3 years: carrots, leeks, asparagus, turnips, rutabagas

• 4 years: peppers, chard, pumpkins, squash, watermelons, basil, artichokes and cardoons

• 5 years: most brassicas, beets, tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, muskmelons, celery, celeriac, lettuce, endive, chicory

Do your own germination testing

If you are in doubt about the viability of leftover seeds, don’t take chances. You can test the germination easily. Moisten a coffee filter or piece of paper towel and place on it a specific number of seeds, such as 10 or 100. Fold the moistened paper over the seeds and put it in a plastic bag in a warm place. Take the paper out and inspect the seeds twice a day, spraying with water as needed to maintain moisture around the seeds. After the usual number of days required to germinate that variety, count to see how many have germinated and calculate the percentage of germination. Compare it to the germination rate on the label; if it’s close, your seeds are fine to plant. If germination is much lower or slower than expected, order new seeds.

Order early

Demand often exceeds supply for certain plants and seeds. This is particularly true of leeks, onions, and potatoes, so place your order soon. [2] Other January gardening tasks>  

Once you’ve taken stock of your needs for the season, make sure to stop by our next Winter Farmers’ Market, January 23rd in [3] Rollinsford — Seacoast Eat Local will be featuring organic vegetable seeds from [4] High Mowing Organic Seeds, with all proceeds going towards supporting our Winter Farmers’ Markets!