Old packets of seeds......

[dogsbody]

How often do we look through our seed packets and worry about how long out of date some of our seeds are?

Does it really matter (other than in the case of parsnip for example)?

We had some free flower seeds that must have been around for at least 4 years, 1 of which was the climber Morning Glory - the packet said they might germinate better if soaked for 24 hours but that germination may be erratic -- so we soaked them for 24 hours, put the viable (non-floating) ones into modules of seed compost in a heated propagator one Sunday afternoon and by 11am Monday morning they had all germinated and were showing shoots about 1/2 inch tall !!!

Needless to say we are rumaging for anything of age now......

[selfraising]

I probably check mine about once a year. Only because I like to get seed order in early. I'm sure some fair better than others. I did use old parsnip seed last year (it was over a year old and it still germinated) but that was before I knew that you shouldn't!
I do wonder sometimes if seed companies deliberately put shorter use by dates on some things to encourage you to buy another lot.

[tamsin]

I've got lots of old flower packets dated 98/99 I'm trying out and some are coming up fine!

[zazen999]

Parsnips and carrots get used each year...the rest...I'm on my 4th year with one packet of c&ca salads and spinach. As I sow a pinch of various seeds at a time [apart from the above], they can last a fair while.

[bubblewrap]

A couple of years the good people at Kew set some seeds that were 200 years old and some germinated.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Interesting info, thanks everyone. I do try and sow my seeds within the guidleines on the packets, but always thought that was it and if after the sell by date, had better not use them - I'll bear your information in mind.

[jackie j]

I bought some sunflower seeds for 30p and didnt notice the sell by date was 07 sowed some and no sign of them.

[petal]

I reckon if weed seeds can lie dormant for years only to spring up when you turn the soil - then the same must apply to all seeds!!!

[Alison]

My understanding is that the use by dates are just that the seed companies have to guarantee a certain level of germination and after that day they don't guarantee it. As with many use by dates on food they're VERY conservative and anyway they're keen that you do bin them and buy new as it's their business. I've always worked on the principal that as the seeds get older you sometimes get a lower germination rate but as long as they sprout then they're just as good as with fresh seed. This has been bourne out by the cropping rates and last year, one of my best tomatoes was from seeds that were about 8 years old.

[bubblewrap]

I reckon if weed seeds can lie dormant for years only to spring up when you turn the soil

That certainly applies to poppies.

[Matt.]

Ignorance is bliss. Don't look and you won't even think about it! I'm sure it will be fine

[JanieB]

I found a box of flower seeds last week that are over 20 years old! I'm going to plant them. If they don't germinate then I haven't lost anything, if they do then that's good .

Ah! Did I mention, I'm clearing the house - wonder what else I'll find?