Vegetable Seeds?

Question

I have some packets of vegetable seeds and was wondering how old is too old for them? I don't want to waste my time planting them if they wont grow because they are too old.
Thanks for any info.

Answer 1

You really should be planting them the same year you buy them. They might still be good, tho.

Put down a couple of paper towels on a paper plate and then sprinkle the seed on them. Cover with another couple paper towels and water them. If they sprout in a few days to a week, you can plant them knowing they are going to grow. Be really careful to pick them up by the tops when you plant them - the roots are very delicate! Unless something else happens to kill them, you should be good to go.

Good luck! Spring fever attacks!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )

Answer 2

Below is the table. My personal experience has varied somewhat. While I might get a 80-90% germination rate for Tomatoes in the 2nd year. Peppers has been very low for me, often 10-20%. Even though seeds may be cheap, I still try old seeds. I just will sow 2-3 per pot or planting.

Table I. Seed weight and longevity for home garden vegetables.
CropRelative Longevity under Cool, Dry Condition (Years)bc
Asparagus3
Bean, Lima3
Bean, Snap3
Beets4
Broccoli5
Brussels Sprouts5
Cabbage5
Carrot3
Cauliflower5
Celeriac5
Celery5
Chicory5
Chinese Cabbage5
Cucumber5
Eggplant5
Endive5
Kale5
Kohlrabi5
Leek3
Lettuce5
Muskmelon5
New Zealand Spinach5
Okra2
Onion1 - 2
Parsley2
Parsnip1 - 2
Pea3
Pepper4
Pumpkin4
Radish5
Rutabaga5
Salsify2
Spinach5
Squash5
Sweetcorn1 - 2
Swiss Chard1 - 2
Tomato4
Turnip5
Watermelon5

Answer 3

most will be good 3 or 4 years, you can check viability easily--take a couple of seed from each packet, place in a dampened paper tower inside a ziplock bag. Check the seeds for sprouting after a few days depending on the individual germination times. If one or both seed sprout, use the seed. If neither of the seed sprout, toss the packet.

Answer 4

Different kinds of plants have different "most likely to be viable" time periods. Lettuce, for instance is only good for one year, while tomato seeds are good for a long time (5 years or more)... Since vegetable seeds are relatively inexpensive, it's best to use "fresh" seeds for the best results in your garden. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Plant them into cheap plastic pots - any that come up you can transplant as seedlings. If none come up you can start over with fresh seed and use the potting mix elsewhere. Costs very little to give it a try.

Answer 6

One year, maybe two. Try sprouting some first by placing them on a sponge that is kept constantly wet. Or, put them in water.

Answer 7

Well how long have you had them?

If it's been more 5 years, then it's been too long.