How long can you keep seed packets?

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MiniPonyFarmer Gilmer, TX(Zone 8b) Feb 10, 2009

How long can you keep seed packets? Are they only good for one season? (provided they are kept inside/dry/stored properly)

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dipsydoodle Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom Feb 11, 2009

The seed packet should have an expirey date on it somewhere.

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rhodiegirl Deering, NH(Zone 5a) Feb 11, 2009

It all depends on the seed itself. Some seeds last a few years while others are only good for a year. And if no one put the date on when the seed was harvested, then your guess is as good as mine.

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wendyloo66 Stevensville, MT(Zone 4b) Feb 12, 2009

test your seeds using the "rag doll test".. get a wet paper towel and place seeds(3 or4) on the wet paper towel and put inside a ziploc bag. Leave bag open so the seeds get air. Place in a sunny window. Seeds will sprout if they are viable seeds. Germination time depends on the seed.

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MiniPonyFarmer Gilmer, TX(Zone 8b) Feb 12, 2009

Thanks everyone, I'll give the rag doll test a try!

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JuneyBug Dover AFB, DE(Zone 7a) Feb 12, 2009

I had a paper bag of brain coral celosia seeds that I packed away when we were moving to another state. FIVE years later I found the seeds and just pitched them on the flower bed as mulch, 'cause they couldn't be alive after staying in a wet basement for 5 years, right? Wrong! I must have gotten a germination rate of 70%. Some seeds last for a loooong time, most don't last more than a year or 2.

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MiniPonyFarmer Gilmer, TX(Zone 8b) Feb 13, 2009

That's pretty neat. Some of my seeds were obtained in trade so I don't have an expiry date for them. Also, I don't want to start ALL of these seeds this year, hoping that I can save them for next year's plantings also.

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JuneyBug Dover AFB, DE(Zone 7a) Feb 13, 2009

You probably can, you just won't have as good a germination rate. I once took apart an "Indian corn" wreath and got a 30% germination rate on the 2 or maybe 3 year old corn. Good enough for me, I grew enough to make several wreaths and door decorations for the extended family. I germinated some in the wet paper towells and planted those that grew along with the rest of the seeds. Always test, because some seeds won't keep as well.

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