Sell by date.

[Davdandy]

May be a silly question but are the sell by dates or use by dates on seeds an exact time to use them by.

If i get seeds today for instance but find it is too late to sow can i not wait till next year and sow then?

Sorry for being a numpty but i am new.

[SarzWix]

Hi

I've moved your thread out of Growing Techniques into an appropriate board.

Many Thanks

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...here_4846.html

[rana]

The seed supplier would expect good germination within their quoted sow by dates, beyond which they will give no garuantees. However, if kept dry and at cool even temperatures seed will can last many more years. This is dependant on variety. I have found that carrot seed needs to be fresh, whereas tomato seed retain viability for many years.

[Snadger]

The seed supplier would expect good germination within their quoted sow by dates, beyond which they will give no garuantees. However, if kept dry and at cool even temperatures seed will can last many more years. This is dependant on variety. I have found that carrot seed needs to be fresh, whereas tomato seed retain viability for many years.

Couldn't have put it better myself!

[Flummery]

I've just had an excellent germination rate from some snap peas sent to me by Smallblueplanet. She did tell me they were old (4 years out of date) but I was happy to try them. It's always worth giving it a go.

[Davdandy]

One reason i asked was if i bought some tomato seeds for example but only used half of the bag i would like to put the other half away till next year,thus saving money and time sourcing more seeds.

[smallblueplanet]

The best way to deal with it whilst not wasting time and seeds is to 'pre-germinate' stuff on kitchen roll if you think they're very old. There is plenty of info on seed viability and how long seeds keep to give you a rough idea of whether stuff will grow, but for me bottom line is try germinating some. (As you can see from Flum's post)

[Flummery]

One reason i asked was if i bought some tomato seeds for example but only used half of the bag i would like to put the other half away till next year,thus saving money and time sourcing more seeds.

I've known tomatoes seeds germinate well after 10 years. They are among the best. I would certainly not buy fresh every year if you have some left (whatever the packet says!)

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks for that friends, I have been wondering about it myself. I'm going to retrieve some packets I threw away yesterday!

[Davdandy]

Today,after a visit to some garden centers this afternoon i shall be sowing my seeds but only a few then i shall save some for next year.As this is my first year i am starting slow but with the good advice from the good people here i am sure that i will become a seasoned veg grower before long.