The North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) seed crop varies from year to year. The ability to hold stratified seed for a year would ensure continuity of seed supply and no interruption in production cycles. Seed drying and rehydration protocols at room temperature $(21{pm}2^{circ}C)$ were developed. These protocols and seed storage at 4 ${pm}1^{circ}C$ and 35%, or variable, relative humidity (RH) allowed the holding of stratified seed for one year and then establishment of the following five treatments in field plots: Trt.1 : dried 2005 stratified seed (seed harvested Fall 2004) held at $4^{circ}C$ and at variable humidity; Trt.2 : 2006 stratified seed planted directly into the field; Trt.3 : 2005 stratified seed dried in October 2005 and held at $4^{circ}C$ and 35% RH ; Trt.4 : 2005 stratified seed held in moist sand from October to December 2005 at room temperature $(21{pm}2^{circ}C)$ and then in December dried and held at $4^{circ}C$ and 35 % RH; Trt.5 : 2005 stratified seed held in moist sand from October to December 2005 at room temperature and then in December dried and held at $-12^{circ}C$ Seedling emergence was best in Trts. 2 and 4 with 67.3 and 65.1% respectively which is similar to the industry expected rate of 68% after regular stratification. Seedling growth was similar in Trts. 2 and 4 with root dry weights of 172 and 159 mg respectively in mid-August. Therefore, if holding stratified seed in August/September for one year is desired, the seed can be placed in moist sand until December and then dried and stored at $4^{circ}C$ and 35% RH. These seed can be planted in the following August/September and will germinate and grow in the following year to give an acceptable crop.