Hi good morning from CA
I already put them out from crisper drawer fridge and put them in my dark drawer closet
Is that okay?
Thanks Gardengal ❤️

Elen, it would be better to store your seeds in paper packets, unless commercially packed. In plastic the seed can sweat, unless totally dry, and that can lead to rot.

I have been saving all my seeds (perennials, annuals, vegetables) in the refrigerator for years, in original packets grouped inside plastic bags, kept together in a metal box. I have never had any sweating or humidity issues. My seed germination has been good as well even for seeds kept 5 years...

'In original packets ....' So are you talking about commercially packed seed, chadinlg?

I was referring to self collected seed. https://www.rhs.org.uk/membership/PDFs/Seed-scheme/how-to-collect-seed-from-your-garden.pdf

chadinlg it sounds like you take a lot of precaution against water entering from the fridge. I'm glad it works for you. I save my seeds in paper envelopes (and the ones I trade and give away). That's just my preference. If there's any moisture in the seed it can dry in a paper envelope in my closet. I've saved seeds that were still moist and had a mess, but it's personal choice.

Elen Gunawan, someone suggested I reuse the little pieces that come with new shoes and packaged items. These things absorb moisture and keep whatever is near it dry. These "float around" my seed box.

Just keep trying. You'll find out what works for you, Heidi

Seeds stored in a refrigerator can last much longer than seed stored at ambient temperatures; but as already mentioned, they should be in a sealed container to exclude moisture. A mason jar works well, and the desiccant packets mentioned by Xiangirl offer extra protection.

Frozen seed lasts even longer, sometimes for decades. Like refrigerated seeds, frozen seeds should be stored in an air-tight container.

Before being frozen, though, the seed must be dried to a very low moisture
level. For me, that is as simple as leaving the seed on trays until the
indoor humidity has dropped in December; but in humid areas, it may be
necessary to use desiccant (drying agent) in a jar to dry the seeds. A good rule of
thumb is that if you can bend the seed without breaking it (for small or
thin seeds) or if the seed does not shatter when hit with a hammer (for
large seeds like beans, peas, or corn), then the seed needs further
drying. I can't over-emphasize the importance of properly dried seed, regardless of how the seed will be stored.

For both frozen and refrigerated seeds, the container should be allowed to warm to room temperature before removing seeds. If exposed to the air while still cold, moisture could quickly condense on the seed, which could kill the seeds, or severely reduce their viability. It is worth mentioning that seeds received via the mail in Winter can be damaged the same way, if opened while still cold.

I have had good results storing most seeds in zippered plastic freezer bags, in a cool part of the house. It helps to squeeze out as much air as possible after each use, by rolling up the bags & packing them tightly into a box or drawer. In areas with low indoor humidity & moderate temperatures, paper envelopes stored in a cool dark location may work well for several years.

Part of seed saving is learning what works for you & what doesn't. Hopefully you find out what doesn't work in a way that avoids disappointment. When in doubt, do a germination test well before planting time. That way if the seed fails, you still have time to look for more seed, and don't end up with a dead spot in the garden. Ten seeds is a good number to test, provided there are enough to spare.

Elen, it looks like most of your seeds are in small zip lock bags. If they were only in the fridge for a short time, chances are that most of them are OK... but I would still recommend doing a germination test for anything which you intend to plant this year. If you get failures, it might be advisable to test the remaining varieties as well.

Nice labeling, by the way. ;-)

I've only collected seeds from chilies, and I have just air dried them at room temperature after removing them from the chilies. I've had a good germination rate with these seeds, but I use them within about two or three months after drying them. I don't know whether I am doing this right, but I have enough chili seeds that I get more plants than I need.

i would echo the comment about plastic packaging being risky because of the sweating issue. you may have had luck due to living in a low humidity environment... but the general rule of thumb is paper packaging is best. (I make my own seed envelopes out of recycled junkmail and leftover payment envelopes.)

zeedman has given excellent advice.

Hi! I always keep my seeds(any kind) In my deep freezer. The harder coated seeds go straight from my freezer into a clear glass of warm water sitting in the sun.(6-24 Hrs) This helps to germinate. The softer coated seeds will do the same as they are planted. My grandfather did it ad my father did it. I also put a little cinnamon along the planting line or roots. This acts as a natural germicide, but also strengthens the roots and actually helps any plant cutting root faster when its set into a brown bottle. The cinnamon is a great way to control ants too.