The Poultry Keeper

Lisa · Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:42 pm Post subject: How long do seeds keep for?

I think we've mentioned this a bit before, and I know it varies a lot, but...

Can anyone point me towards info on how long different seeds keep for? I know some like parsnip seeds don't keep well at all. But there must be some here in my box of old seed, many "past their best by date", that would still worth sowing?

Thanks for any advice Very Happy

mojo · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:43 pm Post subject:

a seedsman many years ago said twice the sell by date half the fertility and so on........but having said that we grew some of dads cabbage seeds once so plant em anyway.........mojo

Lisa · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject:

Wise words me thinks Mojo Smile

As I was saying to AC today - I've got a packet of old pea seeds. It says there are 325 seeds in it. If only 10% germinate, thats about 3 times more than I want to grow anyway. So its probably worth a try...

Knobby · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject:

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Did you know, when they excavated one of the pyramids they found seeds, and some of them were still viable

Lisa · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:07 am Post subject:

Cool

None of mine are quite that old.... but neither have they been stored in a pyramid Confused

leebarton · Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 365 Location: Elgin, NE Scotland

My friends dad passed away last January aged 98. When they were clearing out his room they found a tin of seeds, most of which dated from the 1950's and 60's. He thought he would plant them, just to see what happened - some of them grew. What have you got to lose by planting them? The pots and soil are all reusable anyway. Give it a go! Very Happy

Lisa · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:58 am Post subject:

Wow! That's interesting too!! I keep getting more and more hopeful for what I've got then!

I decided to test a couple of packets:

1) French Dwarf Bean, Purple Queen, packet 1999, sow by 2000, and
2) Tomato, Ailsa Craig, packed 1997, sow by 1999

I wrapped 20 seeds of each in damp kitchen paper. Its only been 4 days and I couldn't resist looking this morning. Already 8 of the bean seeds are growing. No sign of anything on the tomatoes, but it might just be too early for lil' 'ole impatient me Laughing

(PS I'm not going to grow these on - its just an experiment to find out what, if anything, is likely to grow from old seed.)

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

So the beans are not has beens for the time being?

Lisa · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:07 am Post subject:

LOL!! It appears not Razz

CP · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:34 am Post subject:

George!

Lisa · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 9:51 am Post subject:

Final results of my mini test were:

9 out of 20 beans germinated

10 out of 20 tomato seeds germinated

I'm honestly quite surprised - I thought a few might, but I didn't think it would be that high Razz

CP · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:23 am Post subject:

Not bad - at least you got some. Very Happy

Better than just throwing them away. Wink

mojo · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:28 am Post subject:

she did not throw away she kindly sent them to us

CP · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:38 am Post subject:

Ahh, so have yours germinated yet Mojo? Wink