Viability question

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minnesippi brainerd, MN(Zone 4a) Sep 21, 2011

This may have been asked before, but I really dont have the patience to look through everything today.

On average, how long are veggie seeds viable? I got tons of packaged seed from my mother and I am wondering if they are even worth keeping. I am sure it depends on the veggie of course, but I am just looking for an average I guess. Some of the seed packets are from 2005.

Thanks in advance. I havent gone through and made a list of the veggies at this point - but there are well over 100 packets.

Steph

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paradacrades Hilliard, FL(Zone 8b) Sep 21, 2011

How long seeds are viable varies based upon the type of seeds, and how they were stored. For instance, under ideal storage conditions, cabbage, collards, and mustard seeds could be viable for 5 years or more, whereas okra seeds are only viable for a couple of years or so. You could do a viability test on your seeds. Take a small sample, about ten seeds or so, from each packet. Place the seeds on a slightly dampened paper towel, fold the paper towel in half over the seeds, and place inside a sealed plastic bag so it will stay damp. Label the plastic bag with the date, and the name of the seed. Set the package in a warm place (about 70 to 75 degrees), and check daily for germination. During the test, make sure the paper towel stays damp. Depending on the specific seeds you are testing, some will germinate in a couple of days, while others may take a week or more. (If the seeds are going to germinate, all that are going to germinate should do so within a couple of days of each other.) When germination stops, you can then use this test as a guide as to what to do with the seeds. If hardly any seeds sprout, you might want to discard, and purchase new seeds. If half of them sprout, just plant twice as many as you usually would of that particular seed. Hope this helps. Good luck.

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minnesippi brainerd, MN(Zone 4a) Sep 21, 2011

that helps. thank you :)

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paradacrades Hilliard, FL(Zone 8b) Sep 21, 2011

You're welcome!

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