Do fruit/veg seeds go 'off'?

Alfietinker

I've ploughed through the gardening threads in the mega index but couldn't seem to find anything. Please feel free to merge if this is repeating something

I'm going through an old tin full of seed and I wonder if they'll actually be any good to use? A lot of them are open, they must be 3-5 years old, and have been kept in various extremes of temperature - in a greenhouse last summer and in the shed in the winter. I think a mouse may have nibbled a few of the packets, and there's mildew on a couple of the runner beans packs which I guess means they've got moist at some point. (I didn't sow anything last year so I have no idea if they'll germinate)

So, would they be any good to use this year or would they be ruined?

And on a similar note: When cleaning the greenhouse I found a couple of seedheads from Nigella and Delphiniums, again, these would have been there since last summer. Is it worth trying to salvage the seeds from the pods?

Any help most appreciated - I'm drooling through a veggy catalogue but only have a limited budget, so anything I can salvage would be welcome.

Thanks

pol

Some will be ok, some won't. In the past, I've grown pansies and impatiens from 6 yo seed and they've been great. My lettuce and spring onion seeds are 3 yo and still going well. Most packets have too many seeds in for one use unless you have an allotment.
If the runner beans look ok and not soft, I'd sow them and see if they come up.
I don't see why the seeds from the pods can't be used, you can only try!

pol

GreenFingers_2

Hello AlfieTinker

This is an interesting point. With respect to your 3-5 years old, Mouldy, Mildewy and Mouse Munched seeds I think it will be a bit of a gamble to plant them and expect a good harvest…. but Nature works in mysterious ways... Myself, I would write them off and get some fresh seeds…

Seeds can last for many years if stored correctly. When you’ve opened the packet and planted some, the remainder need to be kept somewhere cool and dry. Sealing the packet and popping them in the fridge is ideal.

I pop my sealed packets of veggie and flower seeds in one of those really good Chinese or Indian Takeaway plastic containers just to keep them tidy and not clutter up the fridge. It’s then quite easy to get them out and do some subsequent sowings as the year progresses. Easy Peasy….

If you have planted all you want for the current year but want to keep some for next or subsequent years then do as above but this time pop them in the freezer. They will be quite happy. The very best OS container for seeds though is the old fashioned Brown Paper bags of various sizes but it’s so difficult to find them now.

Hope this helps…..

serena

You could always try a germination test. Fold some kitchen paper, put on a saucer and wet it. Sow 10 or 20 seeds. Leave on the windowsill, and see what percentage germinate. I would be reasonably happy with 75% -100%, but I wouldn't bother with any seed that was less than this, especially if they are veg seeds, where you want lots to germinate reliably.

Cheap seeds available at Netto, or on ebay, if you don't know any fellow gardeners you can swap with.

All the best,

Serena.

rubytuesday

I've used seeds that are years old a few times and got results,ideally your seeds should be kept in a container in the fridge. Anyway you 've nothing to lose, just plant them and see what comes up but maybe plant some fresh seeds too incase its nothing!!

RichyRich

There used to be a web site (Garden Web or Garden Net or something) with forums where they had a seed exchange. It was an American site but one of the boards was a European Seed Exchange. I don't know if its still up but if it is almost everyone on there's really nice and would probably send you seeds even if you didn't hve any to swap.
Hope this helps
Rich

RichyRich

Here it is

http://www.uk.gardenweb.com/forums/exchange/

Now part of iVillage. I'm sure it usen't to be.

Alfietinker

GreenFingers wrote:

Mouldy, Mildewy and Mouse Munched seeds......

:rotfl: What a great description!!!!

Well after further inspection some of the packs are actually empty - why did I keep them?!!! So I'm going to need to buy some more anyway. But before I do I'll also try the germination test suggested. At least then I'll know that I've chucked them away for a reason, and keep any that are OK. By the way, does the kitchen roll have to be kept moist, and how long would you leave it before deciding they're duds?

Incidentally, if any do germinate from say, lettuce, could I sow these and see if they'll grow in the greenhouse? That's what my grandad does with all his seeds but I know it is very early.

I never knew about keeping seeds in the fridge - but that's exactly what I'll do from now on. And to keep open packets for next year, I can put them in tupperware in the freezer?

And I'm off to look for cheap seeds - I've got a £5 T&M voucher to use first, then I'm hunting!

Thank you so much!!

RichyRich

I believe DT Brown seeds are 19p at Netto, and something similar at Boyes.

Good luck

Alfietinker

Just stocked up at Nettos!! For less than £4 I'm set up for the year (give or take a couple of packets).

On Saturday I put 4 types of lettuce on damp kitchen paper and folded the paper over the top. I'm keeping them moist. How long should I wait before deciding if they're any good? They're on the windowsill so getting lots of light.

I've sorted through my seeds, thrown away the oldest/mankiest ones and am intending to use this method to test the rest in batches.