Sow or Throw?

[crazy_red]

I have just been given a handful of part-used veg seed packets by a neighbour, which is lovely

But...none of them have dates on and she can't remember when they were bought, apart from 'over the last few years'.

Is it worth sewing a few of each to see if they're still viable? I know seed sellers put use by dates on, but I suspect they err on the side of their profit margin....

Is there somewhere that gives the actual life expectancy of each type of veg seed, if stored properly, as a pose to the seedsmans version?


I'm dithering over whether to sow them or throw them.

What say you?

Red

[lynda66]

i think theres only parsnips and possibly onions that need to have fresh seeds, the others will be fine for years, there was a thread on this a while back, but i can't be bothered searching lol sorry ....... but i think the general consensus was, sow them and see what happens.

[crazy_red]

Hi Lynda,

No sleep for the wicked eh?

I wondered because I found a packet of marigolds, packet expiry date 2007, decided to trial them for viability and not a one popped up

Do flower seed generally have a shorter shelf life, do you reckon?

Red

[lynda66]

had only just seen the time lol ...might go to bed now

not sure, i found some viola seeds in the shed, and sowed em last year, i hadn't bought them and they had probably been there years, and i got loads growing, guess it just depends on the plant

[kernowyon]

i think a very common phrase on here is that they have two chances

try them, you have nothing to lose, last year I sowed some marigolds (seeds from a well known DIY chain) and had a 100% failure rate, and they were packed for this year.

[crazy_red]

Hi Kernowyon,

I was wondering if I got them too hot - I had them on the propagator.

[Two_Sheds]

Some seed won't germinate if it's too hot, or if it's too cold.

Some seed germinates quickly, some slowly. Some fresh seed won't be viable, some really old seed will be. The only way to tell is to sow some ... a pinch on warm damp kitchen towel is probably the quickest way to tell.

As opposed to .... not at all

[crazy_red]

Well, I think I'll give it a go then. At least it will keep my itchy fingers busy.

Hmmmm, plant the seed to see if you should plant the seed......that's making my brain hurt......

I'm assuming if using warm, damp paper it needs to be on a propagator or where it will stay warm?


Red

[Two_Sheds]

I'm assuming if using warm, damp paper it needs to be ...where it will stay warm?

er, yes.
Have a look at the link to minimum germination temps: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...res_15025.html

[crazy_red]

Sorry T_S, I'm not with it today

That's going to be really useful, thanks.

[Nicos]

Top Veg Blog Archive Germination Time for Seeds

Germination tables from Heirloom Seeds - Know when to plant all your vegetables.


these are 2 charts I've found useful for veg.

No idea about flowers though!

I'd sow rather than throw cos at least you'll know they're not weeds!!!!( yup- I've weeded out veg seedlings and kept one variety of weed before now)

- then you can group all the similar leaved seedlings together when transplanting.

[vicky]

Any seedlings that come up you can eat too - so long as the plant is one that has edible leaves (eg onion yes, tomato NO!!! - or you'll poison yourself!!)

[scarey55]

... yup- I've weeded out veg seedlings and kept one variety of weed before now

Yup, been there, done that but haven't got the T shirt. Hmmm, now that's a marketing oportunity for someone

[Nicos]

Talking about T-shirts...I saw a guy in the pub the other day with a MASSIVE beer belly wearing a T-shirt which said " I'm a recovered anorexic"

....loved it!

( sorry to pinch the thread for a sec!)

[crazy_red]

Lol, pinch away...