By the end of autumn, many gardeners are gathering an impressive collection of seeds: both carefully collected own planting material and bright packets bought at sales for the upcoming season. Simply putting them in a box and storing them in a cupboard is like playing the lottery with germination. A seed is a living organism in a state of controlled dormancy. Improper storage conditions during winter can kill even the highest quality seed material within a few months or cause it to wake up prematurely. It is very important to pay attention to only two factors - humidity and air temperature.

Ambient humidity is the most treacherous enemy, for seeds have hygroscopic properties and quickly absorb water from the air. The optimal humidity in the storage place is 40–50%.

If the room is damp, fermentation processes are triggered inside the seed, it begins to actively breathe, spending its limited supply of nutrients and releasing heat. This inevitably leads to the appearance of mold, rotting of the germ or premature germination.

To protect seeds from dampness, they cannot be stored in simple containers on the kitchen counter, where kettles are constantly boiling, or in damp basements. The most reliable solution will be the use of airtight glass jars or plastic containers with tight lids, at the bottom of which it is useful to place several paper packets with special moisture-absorbing gel, which is often placed in shoe boxes.

The second most important factor