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Are 'Sow By' Dates Much Like BBE Dates On Food?

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  • Are 'Sow By' Dates Much Like BBE Dates On Food?

    Hi all, just after a bit of advice re seed packets and whether they really do go out of date. I have quite a few packets that were opened Spring 2014 when I first got my allotment.

    After a busy year last year that meant I planted next to nowt, I'm back on the plot and just wondering if the seed packets will be ok, or whether I need to buy new ones?

    A lot of them have sow by December 2015 dates on them, and as I say, have been open for a couple of years.

    Thanks in advance.

  • #2
    This is what Realseeds recommend:

    LIFESPAN OF PROPERLY-DRIED SEED:

    Type of vegetable

    Rough estimate of seed life

    Beans 3 to 5 yrs +

    Beetroot, chard & leaf beet 2 to 3 yrs

    Brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussels, turnips etc) 3 to 7 yrs

    Carrots up to 3 yrs

    Courgettes & squashes 2 to 4 yrs

    Cucumbers & melons up to 10 yrs

    Lettuces 2 to 5 yrs

    Onions/leeks/spring onions up to 3 yrs max

    Parsley up to 3 yrs

    Parsnips 2 yrs max

    Peas 3 to 5 yrs +

    Peppers & aubergines up to 5 yrs

    Tomatoes up to 8 yrs
    sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
    -----------------------------------------------------------
    KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

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    • #3
      I wouldn't worry about a sell-by date of Dec 2015. I'd be more concerned about how they'd been stored since the packets were opened. Hot, damp would make them deteriorate sooner.

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      • #4
        If you're unsure then do a viability test by putting a few seeds on damp kitchen roll in a sealed plastic bag. If they germinate then you're good to go and to be honest with seeds that new I'd be surprised if you have many problems. I have seeds over 10 years old which are germinating just fine

        Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

        Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

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        • #5
          I would always buy fresh parsnip seed because their germination rate is awful at best. Everything else I'd give it a go but plant denser than normal and early so you've time to replant if need be. However, having said this, I decided to use up some old tomato seed this year; half used packets expiry dates 2011 and 2012. I planted 3 or 4 seeds per module , hoping for one to germinate and got about 90% germination. The rest of the family got presents of tomato seedlings for Easter.

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          • #6
            Try them and see.
            If they don't come up then it's more likely they've been stored badly than have 'gone off'.

            long term seed viability in adverse conditions must exist - think how the weed seeds stay able to germinate for years and years.

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            • #7
              Out of date food can kill ya, seeds can't
              Always worth trying a few to see if they're viable before wasting compost on a load, though.

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              • #8
                Cheers for the feedback.

                For info, the seed have been in an fairly airtight ice cream tub in the boot of the car under the carpet where you might normally find a spare wheel.

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                • #9
                  Hope you haven't had any punctures recently!!

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by 68lbs View Post
                    Cheers for the feedback.

                    For info, the seed have been in an fairly airtight ice cream tub in the boot of the car under the carpet where you might normally find a spare wheel.
                    Where else would you keep your seeds.......................................
                    sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
                    -----------------------------------------------------------
                    KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by greenishfing View Post
                      However, having said this, I decided to use up some old tomato seed this year; half used packets expiry dates 2011 and 2012. I planted 3 or 4 seeds per module , hoping for one to germinate and got about 90% germination. The rest of the family got presents of tomato seedlings for Easter.
                      Can you adopt me ? - that's a lovely present.
                      Last edited by KevinM67; 07-04-2016, 08:21 PM.
                      .......because you're thinking of putting the kettle on and making a pot of tea perhaps, you old weirdo. (Veggie Chicken - 25/01/18)

                      My Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnC..._as=subscriber

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                      • #12
                        Glad I found this thread as I was about to ask the very same question! That surely is the weirdest place to keep yer seeds............no wait........now I've gone and done it!! Cue list of weird storage places!
                        The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men gang aft agley

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                        • #13
                          ^^^^ go on...start a thread asking that very question!
                          "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

                          Location....Normandy France

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                          • #14
                            It is done!
                            The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men gang aft agley

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