Old seeds

[WillyNelson]

Going through my big tin of seed packets in preparation for the new season I found quite a few that were now past their sow by date. In these times of economic hardship I'd rather not have to buy fresh seeds if the ones I already have will be ok. I know parsnips seeds need to be fresh to get any results whatsoever buy can anyone provide an insight as to whether the following are likley to be good (most are bb.2009)

Radish
Carrot
Sprout
Broccoli
Leek
Tomato
Cucumber
Aubergene
Cauliflower
Courgette

Thanks in advance for the help

[Garvey]

I thought I was being clever last year when I bought a load of end of season seeds from Dobbies, selling for half price. I have used them this year and the results have been awful - less than 10% success.
Go for new seed is my advice

[oldie]

The following list is taken from a list given to me by one of the allotment holders, Radish – 4 years Carrot – 3 years Sprout – 5 years Broccoli – 5 years Leek – 3 years Tomato – 3 years Cucumber – 7 years Aubergine – 4 years Cauliflower – 5 years Courgette - 3 years However many will last longer, put say 10 seeds on a damp kitchen towel in a container and see how many germinate. This will give a rough idea of how viable they may be, but really its a case of try them and see.

[Pies]

I'd say most seed packet dates under estimate the length of time that the seeds will keep especially in the sealed packet,on the list you have i think if you've kept them in good condition they all stand a good chance of growing

[flighty1]

Hi there, I found this on the web. I know its american but thr seeds don't know that.

Hill Gardens of Maine - Longevity of Seeds in Ideal Storage

[falkon]

i have some radish packets that are 3-4 years old by sow date, but they germinate with good rate..
carrots however have very very very poor germination if the sow by date has passed...

[BUFFS]

i have some radish packets that are 3-4 years old by sow date, but they germinate with good rate..
carrots however have very very very poor germination if the sow by date has passed...

last year we had just moved back in after a big house fire,i didnt have time to go running round looking for new seeds,sowed carrots,some 4 years out of date(rather than throw them away) and surprisingly we had excellent germination,this year,new seeds,hoping for same size harvest.old ones kept in old biscuit tin in greenhouse,so i will keep the tin going...

[King Carrot]

Should all be fine unless you've got old seeds repackaged - even the carrots for this season! I actually buy alot of my seeds with the intention of using them over a couple of years - I think the age of the seed you buy depends on where you buy them, and how much you pay for them in many cases!

[BUFFS]

Should all be fine unless you've got old seeds repackaged - even the carrots for this season! I actually buy alot of my seeds with the intention of using them over a couple of years - I think the age of the seed you buy depends on where you buy them, and how much you pay for them in many cases!

you have a very good point,you get what you pay for,cheapest isnt always best...

[Alison]

I'd expect them all to be fine so long as they've been stored OK. I have just had 90% germination from some old tomato seeds which are about 4 years out of date.

Suggest that you maybe sow a few extras and perhaps to a germination test on some damp tissue to be sure but you shouldn't have problems.

[Janek]

If any of the seeds are in hermetically-sealed packs they will keep forever as the ageing process does not commence until the seal has been broken. So my advice would be to sow the seeds of opened packets first, keeping the hermetically-sealed ones for sowing once you have used up the seeds from the opened packets.

[sagegreen]

Hi, I should think most of your seeds would be fine - but one possible problem, if they don't germinate is that you have lost the 2 or 3 weeks of the season whilst you were waiting to see. In some cases re-sowing with fresh seed could mean they do not have a long enough growing season to mature - I had this problem with leeks last year. Perhaps worth bearing in mind.

[tamsin]

I'd expect all those to be fine. I got 100% germinate on aubergines dated 2008, for example.

If you're worried about wasting time starting stuff that doesn't grow just germinate some test ones on damp kitchen roll in a sandwich bag. That's how I did by aub's anyway, then just potted the seeds up and they are baby plants now. Only took 3/4 days so not a big time waste if they don't germinate anyway.

[WillyNelson]

If any of the seeds are in hermetically-sealed packs they will keep forever as the ageing process does not commence until the seal has been broken.

An interesting point. Quite a few are unopened so possibly the chances are better than I'd thought.

Hi, I should think most of your seeds would be fine - but one possible problem, if they don't germinate is that you have lost the 2 or 3 weeks of the season whilst you were waiting to see. In some cases re-sowing with fresh seed could mean they do not have a long enough growing season to mature - I had this problem with leeks last year. Perhaps worth bearing in mind.

Precisely what I was worried about. Reckon I'll try a few on some dap kitchen paper just to be sure.

Thanks all