2007-02-13 17:22:51 · 8 answers · asked by Susan P 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Most seeds lose viability at a rate of around ten percent a year. Some are more sensitive than that and last as little as ten days! (These include members of the carrot family like sweet cicely and parsley.) Generally, larger seeds remain viable longer than tiny ones. Tiny seeds also need light to germinate and should be just dusted with soil on the surface of the planting bed. Soak seeds before you plant them to fully imbibe them with water; this allows them to sprout faster. You know, scientists have successfully germinated seeds that were found in the cloth of mummies, so anything is possible.
2007-02-14 03:56:47 · answer #1 · answered by Debs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. All of the seeds may not be viable, but why not try. I threw down some seeds from a 5+ year old package that grew. Saw recently in a news article 3000 year old seeds were found and successfully grew a plant thought to be extinct. When in doubt, plant them!! good luck
2007-02-13 21:30:55 · answer #2 · answered by reynwater 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most seed packets carry a USE BY date on them which is 2 or 3 years later. Because of their preserving techniques on retail seeds you an be quite confident that they will grow not only this year but possibly next as well.
2007-02-13 17:36:54 · answer #3 · answered by Stuart Robinson 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They should be fine for a couple of years. Most seed packets have a sell by or plant by date on them, so check the packet.
2007-02-13 20:13:15 · answer #4 · answered by jemima 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have had the seeds for a year ,the packet will tell you the date up to which you are safe to plant,if they germinate (sprout) then surely you can expect growth & flowering as well.
2007-02-14 00:48:29 · answer #5 · answered by dee k 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the unsold seeds in the stores are sent back to their original company, retested and repackaged with new dates. its rare for seeds not to pass a test from year to year. i have purchased seeds at end of season and used them years later. note: dont buy junk seeds (i e.... 5/packs for a buck) these almost always tend to be poor quality seeds with poor germanation rates. you get what you pay for.
2007-02-13 23:55:49 · answer #6 · answered by jrtoyboy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Should do so, in any case why not try and if they do not sprout then you havn't lost anything
cheers
2007-02-13 19:04:17 · answer #7 · answered by Val K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. they always have for me
2007-02-13 17:31:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋