Sow by dates

[newgardengirl]

What is the real risk of sowing seeds that are a year past their "sow by" date? Will they really not grow?

[peanut]

Take a chance, I've got loads out of date seeds, some grow some don't! I give them a few weeks then get rid and replace if no signs of life.

[smallblueplanet]

Try germinating them on damp kitchen towel then you'll know if they'll grow. They might have reduced germination rate, or no rate at all!

[ciúnas]

I have sown seeds many times that have been out of date and they normally germinate (as long as they are not mouldy) so go for it. Good luck.

[Nicos]

The only seeds (which I know about )which do not keep well at all are parsnips.
New packet for them each year!

[Winged one]

I tried old seeds (green 2 years out of date, yellow only a year) for courgettes this year before I bought fresh - and I have a green courgette almost ready for wating in the minigreenhouse, with a yellow having about 4 leaves on it, and 2 more yellows and a green with their first true leaf through on all (3 seperate sowings).
I really was all ready to buy new seed (1 packet) this year, but instead I'll have 2 types for nothing!!

[Flummery]

Some of my tomatoes were on their third year this year - 2 years out of date. I think every one came up. Brassicas are good keepers too. It's always worth a punt when you look at the cost of seed.

[Alison]

I totally ignore sell by dates and don't have any problems. If you keep your seeds dry and cool then most will be fine. As one of the above posts says, you can always do a germination test early and then you still have time to buy new if needed - note I've never bothered with the test and have always been fine.

[ClayGarden]

Like the others said. Just try them anyway. Scientists have actually germinated seeds 100s of years old.

[Paulottie]

As Alison pointed out... keep them in a cool and dry place and away from insects and mice, preferably keep foil packets shut. (those ones that are loose in the paper packet in a plastic bag some will keep for years.) If you chuck them in the greenhouse under the staging they won't!

Apart from parsnips; I find that French bean seeds don't store very well.

[Flummery]

I've grown them from the same packet for at least 3 years Paul. The packets always have more in than I need. I get decent germination from old Frenchies.

[Two_Sheds]

I don't even look at Sow By Dates. I only buy new seed when I run out of old. My parsnips are last year's stock, and they are germinating fine.