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Old seeds

BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
in Fruit & veg
Anybody had any joy getting really old seeds to germinate? I've got some parsley, rocket and basil seeds that are years past their sow by date. I know the obvious answer is to give it a try and see but just wondering how others have fared.
East Lancs
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Posts

  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Hi @mattpope5 There was a thread about this recently - germination!  I have 2 buckets of various seeds and this year sowed some old tomato, radish and lettuce seeds.  70% germination I would say.  I sowed the tomato and lettuce in February negatively thinking that if they didn't work, I would just buy some seedlings later on. I have done it with parsnips but had no luck.  Rocket should sprout - parsley takes about a month to surface - and well, why not the basil - most aromatics are pretty naughty!  Good luck.  Tui
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Different plants’ seeds’ viabilities vary. I know that parsnip seed never stays viable for long ... whereas some years ago I was given a stash of various tomato seeds that were already at least 13 years old. I got virtually 100% germination from them for the next few years until I used them up. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    As a general rule, the smaller the seed, the longer the viability.
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    Dovefromabove said:
    Different plants’ seeds’ viabilities vary. I know that parsnip seed never stays viable for long ... whereas some years ago I was given a stash of various tomato seeds that were already at least 13 years old. I got virtually 100% germination from them for the next few years until I used them up. 
    Interesting. Some of the seeds I have might be a similar age. Giving them a go today.
    East Lancs
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    The Lemon Tree Trust are a charity which collect seeds (edibles & ornamentals), for distribution to people living in refugee camps, for whom gardening is a lifesaver.  If anyone has any unwanted seed, you can find more details on their website about how to donate.  I had loads of spare seed and have sent it all to them.  Better than sitting in a drawer until it is of no more use.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I find Basil doesn’t last long but I used a packet of tomato seeds for 20 years, just taking a couple out each year. 
    Some seeds you need really fresh, candelabra primula and primroses are best sown when they are still green.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Sabina13Sabina13 Posts: 113
    KeenOnGreen said:
    The Lemon Tree Trust are a charity which collect seeds (edibles & ornamentals), for distribution to people living in refugee camps, for whom gardening is a lifesaver.  If anyone has any unwanted seed, you can find more details on their website about how to donate.  I had loads of spare seed and have sent it all to them.  Better than sitting in a drawer until it is of no more use.
    I love this post! We need greater kindness. 
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    Sabina13 said:
    KeenOnGreen said:
    The Lemon Tree Trust are a charity which collect seeds (edibles & ornamentals), for distribution to people living in refugee camps, for whom gardening is a lifesaver.  If anyone has any unwanted seed, you can find more details on their website about how to donate.  I had loads of spare seed and have sent it all to them.  Better than sitting in a drawer until it is of no more use.
    I love this post! We need greater kindness. 
    Agreed! I won't send them my old seeds though. I've got some left over that are still in-date which should prove more useful.
    East Lancs
  • ManderMander Posts: 349
    I had a lot of old seeds that I decided to just try this year. Most were duds but I have one chard plant and several radishes. Some peppers came up but they are still tiny, I guess due to the weather here.
  • Sabina13Sabina13 Posts: 113
    mattpope5 said:
    Sabina13 said:
    KeenOnGreen said:
    The Lemon Tree Trust are a charity which collect seeds (edibles & ornamentals), for distribution to people living in refugee camps, for whom gardening is a lifesaver.  If anyone has any unwanted seed, you can find more details on their website about how to donate.  I had loads of spare seed and have sent it all to them.  Better than sitting in a drawer until it is of no more use.
    I love this post! We need greater kindness. 
    Agreed! I won't send them my old seeds though. I've got some left over that are still in-date which should prove more useful.
    Oh definitely if you're still going to use them you're going to use them :) 

    I have 2 packets of seeds I opened this year and hated the plants so I was silently resigned to let them sit and languish in my seed drawer for evermore... after that post their destined for a much more exciting life! 
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