Store the seeds in small envelopes, tiny jars or film canisters, labelling each container with the type and colour of flower, and the year it was saved. To add to the fun, let your kids personalize the labels with markers and crayons. Place the containers in a larger airtight one, such as a Mason jar or freezer bag. You can also add a sealed envelope containing a teaspoon of silica gel for each envelope of seeds to keep them dry. Store the container in a cool, dry place.
Seeds remain viable for different lengths of time.
For example, onions are good for about a year, beans and carrots for three years, cucumbers for five years, and lettuce and tomatoes for six years. And, amazing but true, some seeds buried with ancient Egyptian mummies are still viable today. Just before planting, you can check the viability by placing 10 seeds between two sheets of damp towel for a few days. If eight out of 10 sprout, you have 80 per cent viability. Mosaic A handmade seed collage is a fond winter keepsake-a reminder of summer's glory and a promise of spring's renewal.