out of date seeds

[lavender lou]

been sorting through my seeds tonight and i have found some that are out of date

some are dated 2007
some are 2006
and 2005

can they still be used

2005 are hyssop, x2 courgette
2006 are brussels sprouts, rocket,wild rocket,chives,broccoli, basil and corn salad
2007 are swiss chard,brussel sprouts,swedes

can someone please tell me

thanks in advance

LL

[Hans Mum]

put a few on a piece of damp kitchen paper if they sprout they are viable if less than 50% sprout it might not be worth it

[Diva1983]

I don't have any advice but I can tell you what happend to me last year.

I had 3 packets of radishes that should have been planted in 2002. I prayed for a few of the radishes to appear...to my surprise they all sprouted and I ended up with a glut of radishes....but it was a lesson I had to learn.

Diva

[Snadger]

The other thing is that because it is not known what conditions they were kept in there is no way of knowing if they will germinate. The kitchen roll test is the best.

I was in Dobbies the other day where they have a half price sale on. It was chucking it down outside and the roof was leaking dropping water on the seed packets. Once it dries up no one will be any the wiser it has rained on the seed packets, then they will wonder why seed hasn't germinated................so many indeterminables!

[lavender lou]

thank you for your replies i will try that today

[Digger Don]

Try this web page,it should answer your question.
I also understand , from other sources, that if you keep seeds in a refrigerator you can double the expected life.
Flower and Vegetable Seed Viability

Don

[bridget mc laughlin]

You could give it a try but you might not get a good sucess rate

[Jedi Gardener]

I also have some very out of date seeds but might not bother with mine. A bloke who drinks in our local pub heard I had an allotment and brought me about 10 packets of seeds he wasn't going to use, which is really kind. The date on most of them however was 1982 (I was still at first school then!!) which doesn't give me much hope for germination!!! I will no doubt have to tell some white lies in the near future when he asks how they are doing!

[Jedi Gardener]

i am happy to post them to you! have sent you a pm. not all 1982, some are 1989/90 which may have a chance. i may even try some myself!

[piskieinboots]

and I have sent you a PM too
*said in 'Luke, I am your father' voice

[Jedi Gardener]

On their way. I will try a few too and use the force (which never seems to work for me )