Seeds still viable?

[genlistlass]

Hi All

I bought far too many veggie seeds last year, can I still plant them this year?

Or is it a case of plant them and wait..... and maybe find I've lost valuable time?

Gen in Northumberland

[betula]

Most seed packets are dated but if I have had seed a long long time I don't bother.

Just get new ones. 

[Robert_Brenchley]

If they're only last year's, then they'll be fine with a very few exceptions like parsley, carrots and parsnips. You could join a seed swap and exchange them!

[Digeroo]

Most things last quite a long time.  Last years seed will mostly be dated to the end of this year or even next.  It also depends on how they have been stored they don't like getting damp. 

Courgettes last for years.  I have a six year old packet which is still going strong.  It is a rather strong variety so only one or two plant is quite enough.  I had some beans which were rather old and had not germinated very well so I threw them on the compost heap and they all came up. 

[saddad]

As said, it depends on what they are and on how stored... but most will be fine. You can always do a germination test with damp towel... 

[genlistlass]

Thank you to Saddad, Diggeroo, Robert B and Betula for your replies.

Now do I keep the seedlings indoors until its warm enough for my unheated greenhouse or stick then straight out there?

Gen in WET and COLD Northumberland

[Robert_Brenchley]

Depends what they are. Hardy veg should be OK. I haven't sowed anything yet myself.

[Digeroo]

I have just chitted some pea seed which packet said best before 2006.  Germination about 75%. 

[calendula]

considering some heritage seeds are anything up to and beyond a hundred years old and still showing signs of being viable you'll probably be ok - sow them and see  is the only way

[GodfreyRob]

Put a few seeds in some damp kitchen roll paper and leave for a few days somewhere warm (keep damp but not soaking). If its still viable it will sprout within a week or less. If nothing happens the seeds are dud.

[phlips66]

my little boy sows any out of date seeds he might get
 and he always gets germination of some sort

[Digeroo]

If nothing happens the seeds are dud.

I usually find dud seeds rot, so its best to keep and eye on them a take out any that go mouldy.  Dud peas and beans can go slimey. 

[Robert_Brenchley]

Peas and beans are easy to chit. Start them in a warm place on damp tissue, and chuck any that don't show signs of a root appearing pretty quickly.