Old "out of date" seeds

[el_chaffinch]

I've recently taken to digging up the garden and replacing ornamental plants with fruit and veg, i currently have a few plants growing and have a lot of potted seeds on the way.
In my search for more to grow i've found some old seeds, however, reading the back of the pack tells me they should have been sown by (or before) 2005. Is there really any problem with sowing old seeds or will they flourish with the right care?

Looking forward to your replies, any advice will be greatly appreciated!

[ginger ninger]

It really depend's what the seed is if it's parsnips I'd just throw them in the bin, there not the best of seeds to get to germinate when there fresh. The best thing to do with them is to do a germination test...pop a few seeds on a piece of damp kitchen roll and see if any of them germinate, if they do sow the seed it they don't throw the seed away. Hope this is helpful.

[Nicos]

To be honest- you're pushing it a bit for most seeds.
Here- have a look at this table...

Vegetable Garden Seed Storage and Germination Requirements,

BUT- remember- they are suggested times for when most of them will germinate- all you are asking for is that some do

So yup- I'd go with ginger's advice- and then sow thickly once you've decided what to sow!
Good luck!

[Flummery]

For many plants - tomatoes and brassicas are examples. you will get some germination 10 years after the 'use by' date. Not full germination - but then, with some seed companies, you don't get that even with brand new seeds.

What have you got to lose but a couple of weeks waiting time?

[Snadger]

I went through my old packets of flower seeds recently and sowed the lot.......individual types, into 5 inch pots.
These are in the greenhouse and up to now about half have germinated.
Poppies,Livingstone daisies,sunflowers are some of them and were all about 5 year old seeds!

[Alison]

Give them a go, I sow seeds for years after the sell by date without problems. Got 100% germination from some 8 year old tomato seeds this year (which could explain the excessive amount of toms I have in the greenhouse now!)