Seeds left which will keep ??

[Beetroot Bob]

Hi Peeps

We have a load of seeds left (not much space and got over excited when buying ). I know some seeds don't keep well so was hoping you guys could help out.

This is what I have left :

1. Parsnips - I know they don't keep
2. Carrots - as above
3. Spring Onions
4. Onions
5. Toms
6. French beans
7. Runner beans - have kept them before and they have been fine
8. Swede
9. Romanesco
10. Crystal Lemon Cuc
11. Sweetcorn
12. Radish
13. Pumpkin
14. Beetroot
15. Mixed leaf salad
16. Cauli
17. Basil
18. leeks
19. Marigolds

I thinks that's it !!

hope you can help with my tidy up.

Thanks

[RedThorn]

Hi Peeps

We have a load of seeds left (not much space and got over excited when buying ). I know some seeds don't keep well so was hoping you guys could help out.

This is what I have left :

1. Parsnips - I know they don't keep
2. Carrots - as above
3. Spring Onions I have
4. OnionsI have
5. Tomsdeffo
6. French beansI have
7. Runner beans - have kept them before and they have been fine
8. Swede
9. Romanesco
10. Crystal Lemon Cuc
11. SweetcornI have
12. RadishI Have
13. PumpkinI have
14. BeetrootI have
15. Mixed leaf saladI have
16. CauliI have
17. BasilI have
18. leeksI have
19. MarigoldsI have

I thinks that's it !!

hope you can help with my tidy up.

Thanks

Comments in blue have worked for me, but am no expert. Goodluck

[zazen999]

All the above including carrots - but only for 1 year and parsnips not at all......I'm on year 4 of several lettuce packets as I sow only a few every few weeks....

[Beetroot Bob]

COOOLLLL

Cheers for the fast reply and good news !!

I bet I'll still buy loads too many again next year

[solway cropper]

As others have said, it's only really parsnips and carrots that are a problem, but having said that I've sown 3 year old carrot seed and got reasonable germination. A lot seems to depend on the conditions the seed is kept in. I have had spring onion seed that was five years old and still gave good results but I still buy new stuff each year. A lifetime isn't long enough to try all the different veg varieties out there.

[zazen999]

Of course, if you really want to get rid of some and get some others, put yourself on the seed swap pass the parcel...PM me to go onto the listing.

[Incy]

Interestingly, I had no idea that carrots were a problem to keep. I've been munching happily on my ones grown from 2 or 3 year old seed and they've done better than ever before

[annacruachan]

Interestingly, I had no idea that carrots were a problem to keep. I've been munching happily on my ones grown from 2 or 3 year old seed and they've done better than ever before

Same here, Incy! My Parmex are a year old - won't be around next year, though as they're too good and I haven't stopped sowing them yet!

[bazzaboy]

A useful source of info on this topic, Beetroot Bob, is "The Seed Savers' Handbook" by Jeremy Cherfas and Michel and Jude Fanton (1996). It's now out of print but you might get it through your local library. b.

ps They list carrot seed kept in good storage conditions as lasting 3 years, parsnip, chervil and chives as only 1, beetroot may be a special interest to you and is listed as 5 years, best seem to be cucumbers, pumpkins and squashes (up to 10). None quite compare with corn seed buried with the pharoahs in the pyramids two-to-three thousand years ago which has evidently subsequently been prompted into germination...

[zazen999]

Interestingly, I had no idea that carrots were a problem to keep. I've been munching happily on my ones grown from 2 or 3 year old seed and they've done better than ever before

I believe they just become less viable - so fewer seeds will germinate per packet each year older they get.....

[Pumpkin Becki]

I've found all the seeds on your list have kept really well, even parsnips var 'Gladiator' (which is an F1 hybrid I believe), which are about three years old and still germinating successfully. Maybe more modern varieties have better keeping qualities.

[DeanRIowa]

"Crystal Lemon Cuc",

Cucumber: I have kept and grown them for up to 5 years old, then I ran out of seed.

Dean

[sarraceniac]

"Crystal Lemon Cuc",

Cucumber: I have kept and grown them for up to 5 years old, then I ran out of seed.

Dean

I grow them for years as well Dean. But I never run out. When they are getting low just let the last fruit of the year get super ripe then take the seeds out, wash them well and dry them on kitchen roll. Then start again. No prob.

[Beetroot Bob]

Thanks again people.

They've all been put back in thier sealed box ready for next year. Except the Parsnips which were really slow this year so I'll get some fresh for next year.

[kate&rob]

i have had no success with any onion seeds over 2 years old. i've had some runner and french beans for years and they grow well.