Preserve Grain & Seeds

Dry ice helps maintain the post-harvest quality of seeds by controlling insects, bacteria, and fungi which attack stored seeds and grain.

As gardens and farms reach full growth, it may be necessary to store seeds and grains after harvest for either future planting or shipping. Depending on need, dry ice can be used on a one-time or regular basis to fumigate stored seeds and grains.

Dry ice can also induce vernalization, which is the prolonged exposure to cold temperatures that some seeds require before they will germinate and grow for the following growing season.

If you are interested in saving small amounts of seed of a favorite plant, information about selecting plants and seed saving can be found at www.seedsavers.org, the Seed Savers Exchange. Make sure to follow all dry ice safe handling precautions.