Why or why not?
Is there anything special you can do to utilize them? I bought a 'seed mulch' of daisy and alyssum to scatter over a large area, but I know I won't be able to get them to grow and get to seed before it's too cold (frost). I wanted to save them for next year.
2007-09-17 01:57:30 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Almost certainly.
it is important that water doesn't get in, and that the seeds neither mold or sprout.
using them next year might mean that a lower percentage that germinates (maybe not) but it should work.
2007-09-17 02:06:42 · answer #1 · answered by nickipettis 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hello. I am a Certified Master Gardener. My major in college was Horticulture. I have been employed in a plant nursery, and I work with plants as a volunteer at my local University Botanic Gardens.
I have a friend whose favorite flower is sweet peas. She found several packets of sweet pea seeds in her Dad's garage dated with an expiration date of about ten years prior. She decided to take a chance on the seeds, figuring at worst, it would be a failed experiment.
It was amazing! She actually got about a 50 percent germination rate on these seeds that were ten years old.
Unfortunately, this is the exception rather than the rule.
Some people believe that the larger the seed, the longer its shelf life. This is not entirely true. For example, corn kernels which are planted are large, but will not grow the following year beyond their package expiration date.
Pansy seeds are tiny, and have a pretty good shelf life, provided they were not stored in direct sunlight or subjected to extreme cold.
My advice: try the seeds next year. At best, you will get a high, medium or low germination rate. At the worst, it will be a failed experiment, and you will really have lost nothing.
When it comes to gardening, it is fun to experiment with new ideas and take chances.
I sincerely hope this helps.
PAMELA J.
2007-09-17 11:18:22 · answer #2 · answered by JUDGE'S JUNGLE 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can use them. You may have a slightly lower rate of germination, that's all. Seeds are designed to last a long time, after all; seeds from Egyptian tombs have even been sprouted, so I'd say an extra year or three isn't going to matter all that much :-)
2007-09-17 11:07:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - I would suggest keeping them wrapped as they are, and placed in a cool dark area. The company would not guarantee them to sprout, but that is for their own liability.
I save seeds all the time without problem. I have seeds from the 90's that still sprout! (of course it depends on type of seed)
2007-09-17 12:31:52 · answer #4 · answered by Weekend at Bernies 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can keep seeds in the fridge, sealed container, they will work if they are not too old, ie: how old were the seeds when you bought them, keep them and give them a try, I had seeds that were two years old and they grew...flowers work better than veggies.
2007-09-17 10:35:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have planted 3 year old seeds with good results. Just keep them dry to prevent mold.
2007-09-17 11:34:51 · answer #6 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will be fine for next year!
2007-09-17 09:05:01 · answer #7 · answered by moonbow 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋