How long will the seeds last?

[redhead5318]

I grow nearly everything from seed, and with a small garden I only go through maybe one fourth of a seed packet each year. I close the packets up, tape them shut, put them in a ziplock bag in the crisper in the fridge.

Is this the best way to "hibernate" my seeds?
How long will they last before they just won't germinate?

I know seeds are pretty cheap, but if I'm not going to use the whole packet, I just can't bear to throw the rest away.

[Garden Green]

Your method of storage is sound. There are a lot of different methods of storing seeds. I keep mine in a lunch box that sits in a closet until I need them and have no trouble with the seeds being viable, there are a few others here that store their seeds using a method similar to yours and have few problems. Just know that regardless of how well stored, the more time that passes, you're going to have some that just won't germinate but for the most part, you should be fine.

[Cynthia]

seeds can last a long time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seedbank#Seed_dormancy