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What would you do with old seed? I'm talking as old as 2010 in some case. I have a large stash (veg and ornamental) that I've never used and mostly likely won't now.
Would you just chuck 'em?
Would you just chuck 'em?
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Suzie -
I scatter flowers in odd corners of the garden and veg seeds in the spare chicken run.
Had some of my best ever radish from there -
It depends on what thry are. I would sow thrm and see how they do. You never know until you try.
And when your back stops aching,
And your hands begin to harden.
You will find yourself a partner,
In the glory of the garden.
Rudyard Kipling.sigpicComment
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I either scatter them like VC does or sow them as micro veg during winter.Location....East Midlands.Comment
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If you're still unsure what to do with them by spring you could try this.
Open all the seed packets and tip them into a couple of sandwich bags and mix them up - put these bags into your coat pockets.
Go for a walk.
When you see a bare bit of wasteland stick your hand in your pocket, take out a handful of seed and scatter them.
New all singing all dancing blog - Jasons Jungle
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― Thomas A. Edison
- I must be a Nutter,VC says so -Comment
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I thought 'Guerilla' gardening would be more suited to Bigmally!Originally posted by Jay-ell View Post
My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)
Diversify & prosper
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If they're things I want to grow I check they're viable (they usually are) and then use them. If I don't want them and am not going to grow then I give them away with a warning that I've not checked them. Never throw away any that could be viable.
Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.
Which one are you and is it how you want to be?Comment
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It depends on what plant it is - lots of places to check average lifespan online. Or do a germination test as Alison suggested. Put them in damp paper towels in one of those ziplock sandwich bags & put somewhere warm but not hot. Check every day & spray with water if it's getting a bit dry. If they haven't germinated after 2-3 weeks they're probably duds.Another happy Nutter...
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I've had lots of experience with old seeds. The germination rate goes down with time if you only want a few brassicas 8 year old seeds like mine are fine. I just sow more than I need in a window propagator and they just seem to keep coming. Most of my toms this year were from seeds 8 years old. I don't look after them well either they are just in a normal room. Some seeds don't age well and go moldy.
Sow some in a pot if you really want them and give them a go.Comment
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Old allium seed tend to keep well. The world record onion grown by Mel Ednie of Fife was 4 year old or so and had been sitting in the pocket of an old jacket in his garden shed. Parsnips however are pants and any old seed should be binned. Reminds me, wrong thread I know but a little tangentisation is ok innit?. Anyone heard from Binley at all? Not that she's an old seed you understand. She just came to mind with the binned comment .
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