Do you use carrot seeds from previous years>?

[cazp]

I used 3 year old purple carrot seeds last year and they germinated well - maybe that was just luck, because the little pack of carrot seeds I got from Real Seeds this week advises that carrot seeds do not keep?

Since I was planning to use old carrot seeds agains this year, would like to know if this works ok for others or whether I should use new?

[Alison]

They don't keep as well as some things - brassicas for example last for years - but you can get a good two or three years out of them. If you aren't sure then germinate a few on damp tissue paper to see if they sprout before you sow wherever you're planning on growing them and if they don't germinate then you can buy some more.

[Dotty Sarah]

I've sown old carrot seed this year, they were undercover, germinated fine, but I forgot to keep an eye and they fried in hot weather!

[scarey55]

I have been using the same carrot seed for the past 4, perhaps 5, years (Jacques Briant) and they are still good, I have some on their way up as we "speak"

[cazp]

Excellent. The germination test on kitchen roll is a great idea and I'll try that with the old seeds I plan to use this year. Real Seeds sent quite a generous quantity of "Jaune Obtuse de Doubs" more than I can use this year so it's encouraging to hear they may keep.

[Alison]

Jaune Obtuse are a fab carrot, have grown them a few times and they're very pretty as well as tasty. Am growing them again this year.

[cazp]

Thanks for the feedback Alison - I look forward to trying them. The info that came with the seeds says that customer feedback seems to suggest these are less susceptible to carrot fly too - have found this?

[salome2001]

Many of my seeds are 2-3 years old and they seem to be fine. I had Marshalls broccolis and calabrese last year and the seeds has still germinated very well this year. I have to admit it hasn't been perfectly stored either- the cardboard box got left in the conservatory which has been damp and cold in winter and hot in summer...

In fact, the seed that HAS notably failed has been new this season, from a seed swap. I got a few packets of Edwin Tuckers seeds- supposed to be fab, but the celtuce has limped 3/12 seedlings while the Fat Lazy Blond and the parsnips haven't germinated a single seedling.

[scarey55]

I have some fresh parsnip seeds Salome. If you need any, PM me, I've got loads

[Dusty Rhodes]

I do a germ test on older seed to test viability. If they're still good, I use them. You can always double sow and pinch out the extras if need be...better than pitching them in the dustbin.