Are 'Sow By' Dates Much Like BBE Dates On Food?

[68lbs]

Hi all, just after a bit of advice re seed packets and whether they really do go out of date. I have quite a few packets that were opened Spring 2014 when I first got my allotment.

After a busy year last year that meant I planted next to nowt, I'm back on the plot and just wondering if the seed packets will be ok, or whether I need to buy new ones?

A lot of them have sow by December 2015 dates on them, and as I say, have been open for a couple of years.

Thanks in advance.

[Bigmallly]

This is what Realseeds recommend:

LIFESPAN OF PROPERLY-DRIED SEED:

Type of vegetable

Rough estimate of seed life

Beans 3 to 5 yrs +

Beetroot, chard & leaf beet 2 to 3 yrs

Brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussels, turnips etc) 3 to 7 yrs

Carrots up to 3 yrs

Courgettes & squashes 2 to 4 yrs

Cucumbers & melons up to 10 yrs

Lettuces 2 to 5 yrs

Onions/leeks/spring onions up to 3 yrs max

Parsley up to 3 yrs

Parsnips 2 yrs max

Peas 3 to 5 yrs +

Peppers & aubergines up to 5 yrs

Tomatoes up to 8 yrs

[veggiechicken]

I wouldn't worry about a sell-by date of Dec 2015. I'd be more concerned about how they'd been stored since the packets were opened. Hot, damp would make them deteriorate sooner.

[Alison]

If you're unsure then do a viability test by putting a few seeds on damp kitchen roll in a sealed plastic bag. If they germinate then you're good to go and to be honest with seeds that new I'd be surprised if you have many problems. I have seeds over 10 years old which are germinating just fine

[greenishfing]

I would always buy fresh parsnip seed because their germination rate is awful at best. Everything else I'd give it a go but plant denser than normal and early so you've time to replant if need be. However, having said this, I decided to use up some old tomato seed this year; half used packets expiry dates 2011 and 2012. I planted 3 or 4 seeds per module , hoping for one to germinate and got about 90% germination. The rest of the family got presents of tomato seedlings for Easter.

[alldigging]

Try them and see.
If they don't come up then it's more likely they've been stored badly than have 'gone off'.

long term seed viability in adverse conditions must exist - think how the weed seeds stay able to germinate for years and years.

[Thelma Sanders]

Out of date food can kill ya, seeds can't
Always worth trying a few to see if they're viable before wasting compost on a load, though.

[68lbs]

Cheers for the feedback.

For info, the seed have been in an fairly airtight ice cream tub in the boot of the car under the carpet where you might normally find a spare wheel.

[veggiechicken]

Hope you haven't had any punctures recently!!

[Bigmallly]

Cheers for the feedback.

For info, the seed have been in an fairly airtight ice cream tub in the boot of the car under the carpet where you might normally find a spare wheel.

Where else would you keep your seeds.......................................

[KevinM67]

However, having said this, I decided to use up some old tomato seed this year; half used packets expiry dates 2011 and 2012. I planted 3 or 4 seeds per module , hoping for one to germinate and got about 90% germination. The rest of the family got presents of tomato seedlings for Easter.

Can you adopt me ? - that's a lovely present.

[Python15]

Glad I found this thread as I was about to ask the very same question! That surely is the weirdest place to keep yer seeds............no wait........now I've gone and done it!! Cue list of weird storage places!

[Nicos]

^^^^ go on...start a thread asking that very question!

[Python15]

It is done!