Jane, I've always cleaned my seeds (after allowing them to dry a bit) and stored them in the fridge, without any loss of viability. If I harvest in June or so, I will sow them in mid to late fall or early the following spring. As for direct sowing, I haven't had much luck, but that could be due to animals, insects, etc. I don't direct sow because I want maximum results. I've seen e-mails from a number of people who claim a large loss of viability if not sown fresh, but I rarely see that happen. If it does, it's more of a slowed germination, such as with purpurascens or repandum. Seeds 2-4 years old, always stored in the fridge still germinate well, but often rather slowly over a months-long period. I guess I'm puzzled by the contradictions, more than anything. Robin Hansen Hansen Nursery Southwest Oregon, (we are just a bit tired of the rain)