More newbie questions about seeds...

[68lbs]

Following on from this thread about how you organise your seeds, I am wondering how you all store your seeds.

I have just got my allotment a few weeks back and have...

Sunflowers x 40
Courgette x 10 (a sensible packet size)
Parsley x 1,000
Carrot x 500
Beet root x 250
French beans x 75
Mangetout x 133
Mint x several million judging by the size of them.

Now... Unless I take on another plot or two, there is no way I will get all these planted and with a 'use by' date of 2015, I'm unlikely to get them all planted next year either!

Questions...

1. How do you store them? In the fridge?
2. Can you plant them after the 'use by' date?
3. What do you all do with your excess seeds?

[Potstubsdustbins]

(1) Just in my seed box but frost free.

(2) Yes but germination may well be reduced.

(3) Save them till next year.

Potty

[MrsCordial]

You can also swap them. There was a seed swap recently in Hereford - there may be something similar near you. Otherwise, rather than them go to waste you coould just Freecycle them.