Now that the catalogs have arrived I find my seed "want" list getting out of control! I like a lot of variety (think 6 different types of winter squash alone) but hate to waste. I figure I can justify buying more varieties of seed if I'll get more than one gardening season out of the packet.
Some catalogs do list the averge shelf life, but some don't. Does anyone know of a source which lists the average shelf life for a large variety of vegetables?
Average seed shelf life
Hi...
Seed viability depends in large part on storage conditions. Most seeds, properly stored in cool dry conditions, will be viable for many years. From experience there seem to be some exceptions - onion seed and bean seed do not seem to store well and you will need to but new seed every year (or use seed saved from the prior year if you save your own seeds from OP varieties). If you are unsure of the seed's viability, you can always do a germination test.
I know there are a lot of "charts" out there on seed viability, but I think they are rather conservative.
I agree, many charts say 1-3 years depending on the plant. What i have found is that nearly all garminate in the first year. the next two years mabe 75% and after that less than half will germinate. I buy by the ounce and sometimes by the pound. the older the seed the more i plant - but i don't think i held anything longer than a paper bag of okra seed i am going to plant some out going on it's sixth year where less than 1/2 germinated last year.
I am going with locakelly in that it ios in the storage - cool, dry, and dark.
-joe-
I planted 7 year old tomatoe seeds last year, hopeing one would come up. I had 7 seeds, all of them came up. I was a hybrid "sweet million" from Pine-tree seeds. My storage was in on old breadbox in the basement,
I usually store all my extra seed in the refrigerator, but have also kept them in the freezer, always in plastic bags to keep them dry. Almost all my seed will have great germination rates, except for onion. Some I've kept for three to four years.
Check out this website:
http://www.victoryseeds.com/information/storing.html
Hoosier, nice link... which in turn has nice links.
Hoosier, yeah! Thanks a bunch! I have loads of old seeds. When I am through this season, I will put my finding on my computer, then put them up on Dave's Garden.
I bet lots of people have leftover old seeds.
Evelyn
I have sprouted seeds stored in less than desirable conditions in the second year with little problems and close to 100% germination. Almost all seed will have fine germination rates in the second year if stored properly/ Cucumbers, Melons and Squash are suppose to improve germination in the second year. From my experience, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, melon, cucumber, beans, peas and okra can last 2-3 years. I have even planted 5 year old squash seeds with 100% germination. Carrots, onions, lettuce and most cool season and root crops do not last after 1 or 2 years. The exception is the cabbage and mustard family, which last up to 3 years for me.
Locakelly, I am suprised that beans don't due well for you after the first year. They are suppose to be longkeepers that can last 5+ years. Old bean and peas seeds have never been a problem for me.
I was surprised as well dlbailey, but I always seem to have not so great germination on old bean seeds. Doesn't mean I don't keep trying - lol...
OK, I have successfully germinated alyssum seed from 1997, in 15 days. I did use bottom heat, but was still surprised. even though I took them off the heat one night and all but two hardy seedlings withered, there are more now, so more are coming up every day. It may not be as quick as if they were fresh, but don't give up until you at least try them, especially if it is a treasured packet of seeds. Still alyssum seeds germinate in 5 to 30 days, so I suppose they do not all germinate at once naturally. I have a lot of old tomato seeds, and I am really looking forward to seeing what will happen with them. Dr. Carolyn says she has germinated 20 year old tomato seeds, though by special means. I did nothing out of the ordinary. I will report back and this time I will count the seeds. It is easier to do that with tomatoes as alyssum seeds are quite small and are usually sown and grown in bunches.
I found a package of 17 year old tomato seeds. Planted 20 of them and 16 came up. I know have quite a few "sweetie" cherry tomatoes.
OK, lets all start some old seeds. If you ran out, I can mail you some, heh, heh....
I have a new post on the germination forum. We'll make notes on what we start, source, date of seed, bottom heat, indoors, outdoors, scarify, stratify, W/S etc. Please put your findings on that page if you will. them all can see that their old seeds are worth $$$! You can even post what you did on this thread as well.
Thanks!
Evelyn
Will someone sell me a few dragon tongue seeds for a dollar? I keep hearing how good they are and want to try them.But to buy 1 pack of seeds and then add postage they would have to be the best ever. Thanks deanna
meisgreen - did you do anything special or did you just put the seeds in pots or cell packs? Did you use heat or cover them until they germinated?