Will my older marigold seeds be viable?

I was given a homemade envelope with marigold seeds that I have no way of knowing how old they are. My husband's mother cross-bred marigolds to make her own variety that were studied by the local ag school and he would love to see them around again. There are no surviving plants, but his mother had given him this packet of seeds. He thinks that the packet is roughly five to seven years old.

I have been searching the internet to find out how long marigold seeds remain viable but am coming up short! I would hate to throw them all out in the garden to find out that it only would have worked if I started indoors or something. I assume that these seeds are probably too old to produce any plants from, but if there is a way that you know of, please share!

I have only been gardening a year, so I am very ignorant in most gardening matters.

Thank you so much in advance for your assistance!

I would plant them anyway. What do you have to lose? I know that different seeds will remain viable for different lengths of time. Last year, I planted nasturtium seeds that were 6-7 years old and they sprouted, grew and flowered.

Hi,I think you have a fair chance of getting some flowers.Alot of seeds will keep for years as long as they were stored properly.Fresh seeds will give you a higher yield.Older seeds you will get a lower germination rate.Direct sow in a sunny location after last frost date in your area.Barely cover seeds with peat moss.Keep moist.It does not take long for them to germinate.You should have flowers in 4 to 6 weeks.Good luck.Let us know how it worked out for you.Edge

Thank you so much!

I will sow outside under peat as you suggested and post a picture of what comes from these odd seeds.

I appreciate the advice and encouragement of you both!

I was given some old marigold seeds last year (they were at least 5 years old) so i tossed some in a shaded bed (which was a mistake) but a few still came up and bloomed. this is all to say that they maybe a little hardier than other seeds and you should try to plant them.

I know poppy seeds are totally different, but I heard that some were found in some ancient Egyptian tombs, were planted, and they germinated. You never know until you sow.

There are some tricks to germinating older seed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLRWrjy8UGg

As mentioned earlier, "what do you have to loose, IF you dont plant them you will never know. There are many different Marigolds and they belong to a large family, the seeds are rather unusual as they are normally long narrow with a little tuft of hair like growth on the top, this is natures way of helping the seeds get carried in the wind, when they land, they normally start to sprout.

These seeds can be blown around by a little breeze so, as you are new to gardening, I would suggest you start them under cover, in the kitchen by good light BUT not in direct sunlight, they are normally quick to germinate and within a few weeks you should notice small green tips poke through the soil, water the seed compost you put in the pot, then scatter the seeds on the top IF growing indoors, if outdoors, cover the seeds and put in light area but sheltered from wind, when water is required, put the pot / tray into the kitchen sink with an inch or so of water, lay the tray / pot into the water and the compost should soak up water, (this way you don't disturb the seeds) when the compost looks dark in colour, enough water has been taken up, allow to drain then put back where you had then before.
I would only sow half the seeds to keep spare just encase the first lot fail, then you have a second chance at it.
Hope everyone's tips and ideas helps give you the confidence to go ahead, who knows your Mum-in-laws seeds might bring about a new strain of Marigolds.
Good luck and Kindest Regards.
WeeNel.