Carrot seeds from last yr not germinating

[Green Gerkin]

I have sown some carrots seeds I bought last yr at the same time as a fresh packet.
This yrs seeds are now 2 inches high but nothing from last yrs seeds. Are carrots known to not germinate well after a year? And should I plant fresh seeds in their place?


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[solway cropper]

I've never had a problem with carrot seed a few years old. How were yours stored?

Plenty of time to keep sowing carrots. I make small sowings right through to July.

[Green Gerkin]

They were stored in a biscuit tin in the shed.
I will get some more seed in at the weekend.


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[Alison]

When did you sow them?


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[Green Gerkin]

They were sown late April. In a raised bed under frost protection sheet


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[Barking Postlethwaite]

I suspect soil temperature rather than seed vitality was the key cause here. I tried an early sowing of new seed under fleece but the results were disappointing to say the least. Carrots are quite temperamental.

In warmer times, I've not had any problem with carrot seed that is four or five (or more) years old.

[summer]

I planted 3 yr old carrot seed this year and have a good row up. My daughter used the rest of the seed in her garden and not a single carrot through. I wonder if she planted the seed too deeply.