Seed Expiry Dates?

[Helgalush]

I have a basic question about seeds and expiry dates...please excuse me if its a silly one!

If seeds pass the expiry date, am I right in thinking that they are still good for use (ie not 'gone off') but the germination rate may be lower? I know I can try sprouting a couple on kitchen towel to check for germination, but roughly how long after the expiry date would they store for? Over what sort of period do they deteriorate? I store them in a metal box file in the house.

Also, why do some seed companies put an expiry date on, and others don't, but instead put "packed year xxxx"?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Vacuum foil packs should be ok for a goodly period of time(but we wary with parsnips). Once a packet of seed is opened, the viability does deteriorate with time. This year I have sowed three batches of large exhibition onions. The 2011 seed has germinated 100% , 2009 was about 60%and 2008 was less than 40%. Different kinds deteriorate at different rates. My rationale is sow them and see if they germinate

[Jeanied]

Ditto AP, I am too mean to chuck the seed packet away - I always give them a try anyway! I usually have a back-up plan if there is something I really want to grow and am relying on getting some plants.

[SarzWix]

That's about right, except that some seeds deteriorate faster than others. The carrot/parsnip family go downhill quite fast for example, whereas pea and bean seeds can be good for years. Tomato and chilli seeds come somewhere in between. The best thing to do is do a germination test like you said, and then you can guesstimate how many more to sow to get the number of plants that you want.

[Alison]

Many types of seed will germinate for year, I grew loads of old tomatoes last year from seeds up to 10 years old. If you store them properly (cool and dry) then you can totally ignore the dates for most things, even parsnips which are the worst for keeping will last an extra year. Actually just remembered that I sowed some broad beans a couple of years ago which has a sow before date of about 1996 and got a 100% germination. I think that the companies put them on to a) cover themselves so that you are guaranteed high germination and b) that they hope you throw them away and buy new each year rather than using common sense.

[daylily]

They do put in both, I should think.

The sow-by date is very-very optional, as far as I'm concerned.

[binley100]

bit like use by dates on food stuff really .......

[Helgalush]

Ok thanks everyone, thats helpful. I have some packets that have expired, and others that have no dates on (like freebie ones) and then some that just say "packed year ending xxxx". Thank you.

PS I'll try the germination test for some that are oldish.

[binley100]

Give 'em a try nowt to lose by it .......we know that don't we Jeanie ... and the mignonette are still going strong .....

[Helgalush]

Will do, thank you.

[binley100]

Any news on the lottie front ? (just changing the subject a little bit )

[Helgalush]

Not yet, were told to try again at the end of Jan/early Feb so have the last Sat of Jan pencilled on my calendar to go up again...Have asked for a half plot and was told the list for that was a little shorter...I'm trying really hard to be patient!! But I am raring to get going. I've sown some cauliflowers today which I have done in hopeful anticipation!! I'm trying really hard not to get too lured by the seed catalogues and the books and diagrams and allotment planner and everything!

[binley100]

They're still taking rents so some people haven't yet been in to say whether they're staying or not ..Were you up there Sat?

[Helgalush]

Yes thats what they said, and that they would know a bit more by the end of Jan/early Feb. It was my husband who went up this time as he was out and about doing a few things and said he could pop in at 10am - he's getting really keen to get going too

[binley100]

Fingers crosssed then