What's lurking in your seed box? To sow or not to sow?

[veggiechicken]

I'm digging out some of the seeds that I keep pushing aside to be sown another day. You know the ones, they look interesting but, not today!
Maybe you'd like to explore your own hidden recesses and join me on this little adventure?
What advice would you give to someone considering sowing these seeds - Yes or No? Any tips for success or should they be composted?

First out of my box is Rhubarb - Glaskins Perpetual and Victoria and both a couple of years past their sow by date.

To Sow or NO?

[lolie]

Coriander. I don't use it but I feel like I "should" grow it.

Paris Market carrots. I grew them a couple of years ago and still have seeds. I don't really find growing carrots worthwhile, though.

One of my children has bought me a large raised bed for Christmas so I suspect part of that will get devoted to "things I have seeds for but don't really use".

I also have some California poppy seeds hanging around. I grew them and didn't really like them but can't bring myself to throw them out. Likewise some seeds for pinky/purple sweetpeas.

[burnie]

A neighbour grows everything he has, then starts swapping with folks, good old fashioned bartering, seems to work for him.

[Cadalot]

I'm working my way through my seed boxes and cataloguing everything I have and (sob) even throwing a few packs away Alans Allotment: In My Seed Box but because of the Grow Your Own free seeds I'm having a bash at Alans Allotment: In My Seed Box 2018 - Swede and Purple Top Milan & Snowball Alans Allotment: In My Seed Box - Turnip

[Small pumpkin]

I must be honest I didn't get round to sowing my carrot top salad leaves last year. So looking forward to trying them. The only other thing I have in my seed stash that didn't get sown were loofah seeds. There's a fairly high chance they will never get sown due to the very high possibility they won't produce well if they grow at all.
Everything in my seed stash gets sown every year (generally). Very rarely do I sow a whole packet of anything.

[Small pumpkin]

Almost forgot VC.............definitely sow your 2 varieties of rhubarb
I tried past there best glaskins seeds a couple of years ago. Unfortunately they were a no show. Good luck

[veggiechicken]

Shall we have a Loofah fest in 2018, SP? I still have the seeds you sent me
With my rhubarb, I must have tried them before 'cos the packets are open. Obviously failed dismally but I can't just chuck them, can I

[Small pumpkin]

NOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!


I have my hands full of sprouts


( that comment should probably be kept for the GR )

[Guest]

IMO old seeds deserve to be sown regardless of their age. Unfortunately I have slung seeds this year as I have accepted there is no point me attempting to grow them anymore aubs, okra, tomatillo and large squash.

My lurkers are Chinese veg (still) just a few packs left that I must try harder with and orach has now migrated to flowers along with cress as I still don't (after lots of mental promises) manage to produce micro veg.

[veggiechicken]

OK, that's agreed, SP. I've put you down for the 2018 Sprouts and Loofah challenges

[Snoop Puss]

I've got half a carrier bag full of seeds I've decided I'll never sow. There, confession made. Mind you, I still haven't chucked them out yet. Though the several packets of parsnip seeds for sowing by 2013 and 2014 really ought to go. I'm being stricter for 2018: I've got a list of things I'm going to buy and I won't get any more, offers or no offers, tempting descriptions (which I should never fall for) or no tempting descriptions.

[mothhawk]

Sow the rhubarb VC. But maybe under cover?

I've been really firm with myself this autumn and bought NO seeds in any of the sales. I intend to work through all the seeds I have until there are none left (which may take a year or two!). And I'm sowing nothing till spring. I really mean that this time. I really do. No, I do.

My windowsills will be pot free until March at the earliest.

[Penellype]

Hmm, that reminded me I was going to use up the leek seeds that had very poor germination in spring, so I have just sown them all in a pot in the propagator - they can go under lights through the winter and onto the windowsill later on, and be eaten as baby leeks if they get big enough.

I'm dreadful at throwing things out even when I buy something that I discover I don't like.

[Jungle Jane]

I found some seeds in a craft box today when I was searching for my masking tape,it had my samphire in there haven't looked what else yet but nothing gets thrown away,one day it might be needed

[Chris11]

Once you get organised with seed saving, there's an ever bigger colllection of seeds to think about sowing

I give away as many spares as I can, but there's still more varieties to consider than I have space.

Some of the oldest seeds get sown early. It's a bonus if they germinate, and still plenty of time for extra sowings if they don't.