5 years is about the most I've seen and then only if kept in a deep freeze. I can still get germination up to about 8 years old but it goes down drastically.

DarJones

Thank you for the info. 5 years will be plenty of time to try the ones I don't have space for this year. I wanted to make sure I could save them for another time.

Five years has been pretty reliable for me also, but my beans are stored in ziplock freezer bags, in dark boxes (and in a file cabinet) in an air conditioned room. Using this method, it's important to squeeze out as much air as possible whenever the bags are opened, and to open them as seldom as possible.

Freezing is the best method of long-term storage, and has the added benefit of killing any weevils which might be present in any of the seed. It is important that the beans are dried to a low moisture content before freezing, and that the seed container is airtight. I would recommend that the container be just large enough to hold the seed; the less air inside, the better.

Keep in mind, before removing any seed from frozen storage, the entire container - still sealed - must be warmed to room temperature.

Storage life can be influenced by many factors. Seed from diseased plants will likely have a shorter life, as will poorly developed seed, and seed exposed to frost or excessive moisture during the period the pods are drying. I use plastic bags for beans, but they must never be placed in direct sunlight with seed enclosed... heat buildup can cause seed death very quickly.

If you think any of the beans might have been exposed to some of these conditions, it would be best to plant those varieties first. Such seed might be shrunken, discolored, or have a dull seed coat.

Regardless of where the beans are stored, they should be kept dark, cool, and dry.