How to keep unused grass seed

Oct 2nd, 2016 3:33 pm

#1

smartie [OP]: Deal Guru; Dec 5, 2006; 11214 posts; 6231 upvotes; Markham

Oct 2nd, 2016 3:33 pm

I bought seed from Costco. I have used half of them and I plan to overseed again in next spring. How to keep those opened grass seed?

Thanks

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Oct 2nd, 2016 3:57 pm

#2

aqnd: Deal Fanatic; Apr 20, 2011; 7747 posts; 2720 upvotes; ON

Oct 2nd, 2016 3:57 pm

Keep them in a cool, dark place. Dry, but not too dry that the seeds dry out completely and won't sprout next year (some will anyway, you'll get less and less % germination the longer you keep the bag)

Oct 2nd, 2016 4:23 pm

#3

jm1: Deal Addict; Jan 5, 2003; 4546 posts; 4079 upvotes; Toronto

Oct 2nd, 2016 4:23 pm

I had a mice issue in my garage a few years ago. I was wondering why they were so attracted to my garage since I didn't have food in there, then I found a bag of grass seed I had forgotten about in a corner...

Now I seal up unused grass seed super tight (not just a loose elastic) and hang it in my garage in a certain way that it's not easily accessible.

+1

Oct 2nd, 2016 4:32 pm

#4

smartie [OP]: Deal Guru; Dec 5, 2006; 11214 posts; 6231 upvotes; Markham

Oct 2nd, 2016 4:32 pm

So use clip to close the bag and keep in garage?

Oct 2nd, 2016 4:32 pm

#5

pootza: Deal Addict; Dec 19, 2009; 4529 posts; 2458 upvotes

Oct 2nd, 2016 4:32 pm

jm1 wrote: ↑ Now I seal up unused grass seed super tight (not just a loose elastic) and hang it in my garage in a certain way that it's not easily accessible.

13 loops is the preferred way to hang it .. the knot never comes undone.

Oct 2nd, 2016 4:44 pm

#6

Mars2012: Moderator; May 28, 2012; 11547 posts; 3999 upvotes; Saskatoon

Oct 2nd, 2016 4:44 pm

Completely seal it, not just clipped shut. We've had mice eat grass seed stored in the garage. I would actually keep it stored in the house in a cool dark area...less temperature fluctuations will keep the seed viable for longer.

Oct 2nd, 2016 7:17 pm

#7

smartie [OP]: Deal Guru; Dec 5, 2006; 11214 posts; 6231 upvotes; Markham

Oct 2nd, 2016 7:17 pm

Mars2012 wrote: ↑ Completely seal it, not just clipped shut. We've had mice eat grass seed stored in the garage. I would actually keep it stored in the house in a cool dark area...less temperature fluctuations will keep the seed viable for longer.

Thank you!

Isn't temperature too warm in the house, like 23 in the winter?

Oct 2nd, 2016 8:00 pm

#8

penf: Jr. Member; Apr 24, 2005; 143 posts; 21 upvotes

Oct 2nd, 2016 8:00 pm

i've had grass seed mix stored for years in the basement. the perennial rye is still mostly viable after five years, the fescue and the bluegrass seeds were dead after the first couple years. storing seeds in the fridge will increase their shelf life substantially if you know you won't be using them for a long time.

Oct 2nd, 2016 8:03 pm

#9

imnew: Deal Addict; Dec 29, 2005; 1187 posts; 66 upvotes; Mississauga

Oct 2nd, 2016 8:03 pm

Why not just overseed your lawn instead?

+1

Oct 2nd, 2016 9:54 pm

#10

walleye*guy: Deal Addict; Mar 30, 2004; 2434 posts; 1267 upvotes; Edmonton

Oct 2nd, 2016 9:54 pm

Do you have a bucket with a lid? A couple of ice cream pails? Problem solved

The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten....

+2

Oct 2nd, 2016 10:24 pm

#11

smartie [OP]: Deal Guru; Dec 5, 2006; 11214 posts; 6231 upvotes; Markham

Oct 2nd, 2016 10:24 pm

walleye*guy wrote: ↑ Do you have a bucket with a lid? A couple of ice cream pails? Problem solved

Good idea, quite creative:)

Oct 3rd, 2016 1:56 pm

#12

l69norm: Deal Expert; Jun 12, 2007; 17138 posts; 5562 upvotes; London

Oct 3rd, 2016 1:56 pm

Needs to be a sealed rigid/thick plastic or metal container.
I use the old metal black Knight driveway sealer cans

Mice will chew through any soft/thin plastic to get to the seed

+1