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Survival Garden Seeds and Storage
Over the course of human history, there have been plenty of times of war, famine, natural disasters, political chaos, and social unrest. If you believe in the concept of saving for a rainy day, and you worry about any of these calamities occurring, then you might be inclined to collect and save seeds. The seeds you save are called survival seeds. Survival garden seeds include a wide range of vegetables and even a few herbs that you can grow to feed yourself and your family, if the unimaginable happens. There are three important issues related to survival seeds: definition of survival seeds, sources of the seeds, and long term storage Survival Seed Definition: Survival seeds are any garden vegetable and herb seed that can be stored away for later use, when a famine or other calamity hits the country or the world. By definition, the seeds must be non-GMO and non-hybrid, as most survivalists also want to eat the safest foods possible. Heirloom seeds are great candidates for Survival Seeds. It is also desirable, that they are organic. While it is desirable, survival seeds do not have to be an heirloom or organic. Some people state that they must be seeds from open-pollinated plants. This eliminates GMO and Hybrids. Theoretically, hand-pollinated seeds are okay. Hand pollination is not practiced by companies, as it would be impractical. But, a homeowner could and does hand pollinate plants. So, a homeowner hand pollinating an heirloom plant would ultimately harvest vegetable seeds that qualify as a Survival Seeds. Organic Seeds, by their definition, qualify as "Survival Seed". They are closely monitored by the USDA. However, be cautious and check out what you are about to buy. Some smaller seed companies claim to sell organic seeds, but are not certified. When buying Organic stock, look for the statement "USDA Certified" and the USDA label on the packet.
Armed with the definition of survival seeds (above), you can begin your seed search. Use a little caution. There are plenty of companies and websites claiming to be marketing "survival seeds". However, there are no controls or monitoring. And, you are paying a premium price for seeds that just might not be what they are claimed to be. Selecting qualifying seeds from a reputable seed manufacturer will both save money, and ensure the initial quality of the seeds you acquire. Surf through the offerings of reputable seed manufacturers, who do not sell GMO products. Start with the "organic seed" categories. Then, browse their other offerings. If the title or description says "Hybrid", then exclude this item from your survival seed search. Storing Survival Seeds Survival seeds need to be properly placed in long term storage, so they will be viable, if you ever need them. Properly stored, seeds can usually last a long time. Archaeologists have opened ancient Egyptian tombs, and found baskets filled with wheat seeds. When tested, some of them sprouted...... perhaps the ultimate survival seeds! For long term storage, use a sealable plastic bag, or a metal can that seals tightly. Place them in a cool, dry (low humidity), and dark place. Important Note: If you are harvesting your own seed stock for storage, it is absolutely essential that they are properly dried, prior to long term storage in a sealed container. We highly recommend a seed germination test prior to storing your own seeds as survival seeds. Some survivalists put their seed in the freezer for long term storage. Usually, that's fine. However, the concept of relying on, and using, the freezer in anticipation of an apocalyptic event, seems a bit odd........ there might be no electricity!
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