Veg Seeds

[acwid]

Hi folks can any one tell me how long the shelf life is on opened veg seeds, many thanks .

[out in the cold]

Most packs have a best before date printed on them.

P.s. welcome to the Vine

[veggiechicken]

Hello acwid and welcome . Here's a previous thread that should help http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...eds_75072.html

[acwid]

thankyou , the reason I have asked this question is I kept seeds over from 2012 and have had mixed results in 2013, ie germination , growth rates and harvest I am aware of the weather but wondered if the seed may of deteriorated, the seeds were kept dry .

[veggiechicken]

A lot depends on what seeds they were. Also, whether you kept them in a cool place or somewhere hot - like the greenhouse or shed.

[acwid]

Many thanks veggiechcken that is just what I needed .

[acwid]

True , the main problems were the parsnips and the swedes always have trouble with my carrots also some unopened packs were 3 and 4 years out of date, the swedes grew well but when it came to start harvesting they were really strong smelling and tasted foul when cooked so I decided to leave them in and feed my mates sheep in the winter,I pulled one in mid december thinking it would be the same and it was sweet and tender as you would expect so am puzzled as to why it was so foul earlier in the year, they were fine the year before .

[Aberdeenplotter]

even in an unopened packet, seeds will deteriorate. parsnip is one of the worst keepers and there is no point in sowing old seed of them. Swede seed keeps well but you should bear in mind that swede will taste very strong until it gets a touch of frost following which it will be wonderfully sweet. It's one of my fond memories from schooldays, walking home munching on a neep as we called them after splitting it by smashing it on to the top of a fence post