Help with seeds

[bristol280zx]

my first year at growning veg and of course I went mad on buying seeds (about 15 packets!!!!!!) but have decided to start slow and small. The seed packets have exp dates (some 2012), my question is are these exp dates for real? and where is the best place to store the seeds?

Thank you
from a real novice!

[esrikandan]

It depends on the seed - some types will keep for ages - I have Cayenne Pepper seeds that are ancient but still germinate, and some are a bit more fussy, such as Parsnips and need fresh seed each year. How you store them will also be a factor.

I tend to buy my seed at the end of the season when the garden centres are selling them off cheap and not had a problem yet.

[rustylady]

Store them cool, dark and dry. Mine live under the coffee table in the lounge (I'm a real scrooge with heating) in a plastic wallet with twelve divisions. The theory is you label the divisions with months of the year, and put the seed packets into the appropriate division for sowing. As I said, that's the THEORY!!

[ginger ninger]

Hi there Bristol, welcome to the vine.
Most seeds have a good shelf life as esrikandan has said Parsnips are not the best seeds to keep from year to year nether are carrot's. The date's on the packet are just a guide line most seeds are OK the year after.
Seeds like squash, pumpkin, cucumber & courgettes are good for at least 5 years past the date. Bean's and pea's are good keeper's as well.
The best way I've found is to keep seeds dry, cool and in a dark place. Treat ya self to a nice box with a lid and keep them in there under ya bed. I have mine in a set of plastic drawer's but I am a seed addict and have over 100 pkt's of seeds . Hope this helps you .

[bristol280zx]

Thank you - like the idea of storing according to sowing month, will try that one!

Not sure about going to a seed sale - I'll go mad and buy hundreds without thinking about the room I have to grow them!

[ginger ninger]

Not sure about going to a seed sale - I'll go mad and buy hundreds without thinking about the room I have to grow them!

Not having enough room...that's a small detail bristol , you'll find that seeds are like a drug...you can never have enough of them .

[bristol280zx]

Not having enough room...that's a small detail bristol , you'll find that seeds are like a drug...you can never have enough of them .

I do bead work so already have one addiction of buying more beads than I can ever use I don't want another!!!

opps too late

[Fernw]

Not having enough room...that's a small detail bristol , you'll find that seeds are like a drug...you can never have enough of them .

How very true - my husband just rolls his eyes when I buy more seeds and is totally bemused how I sit sifting and sorting through them. I also have a box with months marked and find this a good way to keep on top of things. I agree store them dry and cool but it is amazing how they last.