Do seeds go off?

Hi, I've been given some out of date seeds -some as long ago as 2002. I've been told that seeds last 20 years or more. Is this true? Is there any point planting my out of date seeds?

 

It all depends...

Have the seed packets been opened? Are the seeds foiled wrapped inside the outer packet? Have the packets been stored in a cool dry place? What type are the seeds?

Seeds stored in optimal conditions i.e. a specialised seed bank using ultra low temperature storage, will last for hundreds of years. Seeds in a paper packet, half opened and kept in a cupboard next to the cooker in a steamy kitchen probably won't last beyond a season or two.

Some varieties will last longer than others, whatever the storage.

I've planted lettuce seed that's 5-6 years old, carefully stored in an unopened packet, with good results. I wouldn't expect that for, say, French beans.

 

They have two chances.

Try them but dont rely on them. What you got to lose ?

 

Yes, seed go bad. There is a test to find out which are and are not. But, forgot which is which.
It has to do with floating in a cup of water or not floating Look it up on google. Either the good floats and the bad sinks or reverse, again look it up.

 

That not witchcraft stuff Red?? LOL

 

That sounds like the egg test to me. To test if an egg is still safe to eat you put it in water. An egg that floats is rotten, one that sinks is good, and one that is close to weightless in water is on the turn and is only fit for a late night fried egg sarnie after a few cans at the weekend.

 

This link will help you Vegswap but the conditions the seeds were stored in will play a part. And there is no point in planting duff seed - it won'r grow.
http://faculty.matcmadison.edu/mchristoffel/plants/seeds/viability.htm

 

I've got a "Peter Seabrook's Complete Vegetable Gardener" (1976) which actually I reckon is still a pretty helpful book. It contains lots of useful charts and tables including a seed germination guide. It goes from tomato, still 50% success or better when more than ten years old, to parsley/parsnip being useless by year 2. He also says that germination rate is a pointer to subsequent vigour, so I guess very old seed is not a great idea.

 

That explains the bad pint thing that so often happens Clueless.

 

I think Redstar is right ,but as you say ,plant them if they grow they grow :lollol:

 

Mystery solved. Who needs scientists when there's us lot