I recently received a bag with an assortment of seeds - flowers (annuals & perinials) and vegetables. Before I plant, I need to know if these are actually still good. Do seeds have a "shelf life?" Some packages have dates stamped on them.
2006-08-23 08:26:51 · 6 answers · asked by gds_ny2003 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Seeds do indeed have a shelf life, but it varies enormously! No way could I give you even a partial list since in my business I planted thousands of different seeds each year - but, for example, delphinium seeds last only one year, whereas I have kept tomato and other flower and vegetable seeds in airtight ziploc bags for years and years with good results. Germination will decrease over time, though.
Here's what you do: just prior to planting time, place 10 seeds between 2 wet paper towels in a warm place. Give them time to germinate. When they have sprouted, count the ones that did; that's roughly your germination percentage. Say 5 bean seeds sprouted out of 10 - that's 50% germination. So you'd sow your beans double thick next spring to allow for the half that won't come up. See?
2006-08-23 12:03:23 · answer #1 · answered by keepsondancing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, my summer revolves around my flowers and flower beds. I start as many flowers as I can from seed. I have alot of flowers that product seed and I pick them and keep them in a warm, dry place till about Feb. and I start them off for the summer. I also buy packages and if I do not use them all I throw them out. I learned my lesson the hard way with especially veggie seeds one year using seeds from the year before. Some came, some didn't and I had big spaces between the vegatables. If you do decide to keep them and use then, soak them for a few hours or up to 24 hours, depending on what you have there. One lady said about Southern Ontario ( I lived there) and even this time of the year the growing season is pretty much over. But hey, if you plant them and they do not come, you are not out anything, they were given to you. If some come...great. But if you decide not to plant them this year, throw them out, they are cheap and buy new ones next year. Good luck.
2006-08-23 08:58:32 · answer #2 · answered by loving_yellow 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Generally the rule of thumb is that seeds need to be fresh every year. (This could be a rumor started by seed house owners, though.) I would say that as long as they still seem in good shape you should try planting them. Since you're planting at this time of year, my guess is that you live in a fairly temperate climate. If you live in the northern U.S., or southern Canada I would say that you should hold off planting until mid-January, when you can "start" them in the house before transplanting them outside in May or June. This also has the added bonus of finding out without much effort whether the seeds are viable or not.
2006-08-23 08:36:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, they are ok to use. Yes some of them will germinate and produce vegies and flowers. Wet a paper towel, add seeds, put in zip-type plastic bag, place on sunny South window sill. When the seeds germinate (sprout) transplant. Most vegies and many flowers need full, all day sun to thrive. All vegies prefer to be planted in the ground as opposed to potted. A 2000 year old fig seed of an extinct variety was found at an archaeological dig. Yes, it germinated and is growing. Your seeds have a good chance.
2016-03-27 02:41:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they will last a very,very long time if you dont open the packet ,if you do open the packet they will last for 2-3 years but you must keep them dry
2006-08-23 08:55:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the seeds that i dont use i put into my freezer. and plant them the next year, and they grow great.
2006-08-25 04:30:24 · answer #6 · answered by JESUS loves 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋