Grow Your Own Magazine

hi all

i was in woolworths today and bought some seeds that were going cheap some with plant by 2008 dates, does this really mean anything will they keep until next year? i wouldnt think it would have to much of an effect but im no expert

thanks

it means chuck half away and buy more next year ..... in shop speak anyway ....... as far as i can make out, parsnip and onion seeds should be used by the sow by date, as fresh seeds work best ....... but anything else will last for a good few years

__________________
http://teachy.myminicity.com please visit my town and make it better

http://quiz.ravenblack.net/blood.pl?biter=teach_me please sign up to be a vampire, i get 10 pints of blood if you do, and it's fun as well ....... i have an interactive map if anyone wants it.

No - all it means is that the seed companies wish to increase their sales.

With the possible exception of ....

Mind you, although the above is true, you are most likely to fall victim to Excessive Seed Buying Syndrome like the rest of us!

__________________
Hazel
www.hazelandjanesallotment.blogspot.com
update Sat 15/11/2008......there's gold in them thar...compost bins!......

i bough loads more onions and parsnips for 10p a packet, for that price if i get one a packet .... who cares lol

definitely got far too many seeds, for next year, but i'm aiming for twice as many veg at least as this year.

__________________
http://teachy.myminicity.com please visit my town and make it better

http://quiz.ravenblack.net/blood.pl?biter=teach_me please sign up to be a vampire, i get 10 pints of blood if you do, and it's fun as well ....... i have an interactive map if anyone wants it.

It's like sell by dates on food. They are a guide. What did we do before we had them? The old scratch and sniff test! Many seeds are viable for years after the stated date. You can always test a few on damp tissue paper in a poly bag. If they throw little shoots you're laughing tea-cakes!

__________________
Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 17th - The Big Dig

I totally igore the dates, if the seeds germinate then it's good seed - grew some very nice toms this year from seeds 5 years out of date with almost only one seed failing to germinate.

__________________

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?