Out dated peas

[Stroppy scotte]

I know I am now becoming a bore with pea questions but on sorting through the seeds, many are dated 1997. Is there any point in sowing them or do we cut our losses and buy new ones.
It's not really that we are tight fisted but it may at last have come back to haunt us!!
SS

[Muddy Sarah]

Why not try a few off in pots first, and see if they germinate? That way you wouldn't waste a lot of time planting them in situ.

Sure someone else with more knowledge will be able to help more.

Sarah

[Stroppy scotte]

Thanks Sarah
Guess it must be worth a try!
SS

[sewer rat]

Pea for seed purposes is usually considered to have a shelf life of about 3 years - so you can try a few but don't get your hopes up. They may well germinate but then may not get much further - or worse still, they might mutate.............

[ugly gourd]

If I have a worry with peas or bean germination I put them on wet kitchen roll and put somewhere warm and watch for action!

[lyndap]

Try growing them for 'pea shoots' rather than for productive pea plants.Get newer seed for 'peas',that way you dont lose anything!

[Stroppy scotte]

Thanks Lyndap
Have done just that this weekend!!!
Nice to think that we guessed right in the end.