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  • #1

    Old seeds

    Going through my big tin of seed packets in preparation for the new season I found quite a few that were now past their sow by date. In these times of economic hardship I'd rather not have to buy fresh seeds if the ones I already have will be ok. I know parsnips seeds need to be fresh to get any results whatsoever buy can anyone provide an insight as to whether the following are likley to be good (most are bb.2009)

    Radish
    Carrot
    Sprout
    Broccoli
    Leek
    Tomato
    Cucumber
    Aubergene
    Cauliflower
    Courgette

    Thanks in advance for the help
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I thought I was being clever last year when I bought a load of end of season seeds from Dobbies, selling for half price. I have used them this year and the results have been awful - less than 10% success.
    Go for new seed is my advice

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    • #3
      The following list is taken from a list given to me by one of the allotment holders, Radish – 4 years Carrot – 3 years Sprout – 5 years Broccoli – 5 years Leek – 3 years Tomato – 3 years Cucumber – 7 years Aubergine – 4 years Cauliflower – 5 years Courgette - 3 years However many will last longer, put say 10 seeds on a damp kitchen towel in a container and see how many germinate. This will give a rough idea of how viable they may be, but really its a case of try them and see.
      History teaches us that history teaches us nothing. - Hegel

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      • #4
        I'd say most seed packet dates under estimate the length of time that the seeds will keep especially in the sealed packet,on the list you have i think if you've kept them in good condition they all stand a good chance of growing

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        • #5
          Hi there, I found this on the web. I know its american but thr seeds don't know that.

          Hill Gardens of Maine - Longevity of Seeds in Ideal Storage

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          • #6
            i have some radish packets that are 3-4 years old by sow date, but they germinate with good rate..
            carrots however have very very very poor germination if the sow by date has passed...
            Last edited by falkon; 12-03-2010, 08:59 PM. Reason: carrots info added
            http://bageechah.blogspot.com/

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            • #7
              Originally posted by falkon View Post
              i have some radish packets that are 3-4 years old by sow date, but they germinate with good rate..
              carrots however have very very very poor germination if the sow by date has passed...
              last year we had just moved back in after a big house fire,i didnt have time to go running round looking for new seeds,sowed carrots,some 4 years out of date(rather than throw them away) and surprisingly we had excellent germination,this year,new seeds,hoping for same size harvest.old ones kept in old biscuit tin in greenhouse,so i will keep the tin going...

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              • #8
                Should all be fine unless you've got old seeds repackaged - even the carrots for this season! I actually buy alot of my seeds with the intention of using them over a couple of years - I think the age of the seed you buy depends on where you buy them, and how much you pay for them in many cases!
                Jiving on down to the beach to see the blue and the gray, seems to be all and it's rosy-it's a beautiful day!

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by King Carrot View Post
                  Should all be fine unless you've got old seeds repackaged - even the carrots for this season! I actually buy alot of my seeds with the intention of using them over a couple of years - I think the age of the seed you buy depends on where you buy them, and how much you pay for them in many cases!
                  you have a very good point,you get what you pay for,cheapest isnt always best...

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                  • #10
                    I'd expect them all to be fine so long as they've been stored OK. I have just had 90% germination from some old tomato seeds which are about 4 years out of date.

                    Suggest that you maybe sow a few extras and perhaps to a germination test on some damp tissue to be sure but you shouldn't have problems.

                    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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                    • #11
                      If any of the seeds are in hermetically-sealed packs they will keep forever as the ageing process does not commence until the seal has been broken. So my advice would be to sow the seeds of opened packets first, keeping the hermetically-sealed ones for sowing once you have used up the seeds from the opened packets.
                      Happiness is being with the love of your life. If you can't have that, then an unlimited supply of well-rotted manure is a pretty close second!

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                      • #12
                        Hi, I should think most of your seeds would be fine - but one possible problem, if they don't germinate is that you have lost the 2 or 3 weeks of the season whilst you were waiting to see. In some cases re-sowing with fresh seed could mean they do not have a long enough growing season to mature - I had this problem with leeks last year. Perhaps worth bearing in mind.
                        Really great gardens seem to teeter on the edge of anarchy yet have a balance and poise that seem inevitable. Monty Don in Gardening Mad

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                        • #13
                          I'd expect all those to be fine. I got 100% germinate on aubergines dated 2008, for example.

                          If you're worried about wasting time starting stuff that doesn't grow just germinate some test ones on damp kitchen roll in a sandwich bag. That's how I did by aub's anyway, then just potted the seeds up and they are baby plants now. Only took 3/4 days so not a big time waste if they don't germinate anyway.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Janek View Post
                            If any of the seeds are in hermetically-sealed packs they will keep forever as the ageing process does not commence until the seal has been broken.
                            An interesting point. Quite a few are unopened so possibly the chances are better than I'd thought.

                            Originally posted by sagegreen View Post
                            Hi, I should think most of your seeds would be fine - but one possible problem, if they don't germinate is that you have lost the 2 or 3 weeks of the season whilst you were waiting to see. In some cases re-sowing with fresh seed could mean they do not have a long enough growing season to mature - I had this problem with leeks last year. Perhaps worth bearing in mind.
                            Precisely what I was worried about. Reckon I'll try a few on some dap kitchen paper just to be sure.

                            Thanks all

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