Seed Shelf Life?

[Mimi]

I have just started off some of the seeds I got from an auction site.  I have too many seeds for my  use but dont want to swap just yet (in case of failures) So I just wanted to know how long I can expect to keep the seeds before they become useless.  The seeds are for Jacaranda and Datura.  Any advice would be a help.  Thanks

[Mimi]

[Doris_Pinks]

mimi, I think I read somewhere that most seeds are viable (so long as they are kept correctly) for 3-4 years, except parsnips which you have to have new every year.  If I am wrong I am sure I shall be corrected!  ;D DP

[tubs]

I keep excess seed in their packets in a sealed plastic container with a perforated sachet of Silica Gel to keep dry. Stick this in the freezer. Except for certain seeds parsnip/beetroot/ sweet corn for example, they stay in good condition for years. Brassica seed particularly.

[The gardener]

I hope you mean 'fridge' tubs not 'freezer

[aquilegia]

do sweetcorn seeds not last then? I was hoping to sow the ones I had left over from last year. Don't tell me I'm going to have to buy yet more seeds (unless it's true!)

[The gardener]

Some seeds are more viable than others, and as has already been said it depends upon 'how they are kept'

Datura & Jacaranda;.... Datura is quite a hard seed as I recall, so I think it should be OK in second year. I don't know anything about Jacaranda.

Sweet Corn should be OK.

My method of sowing/storing.

If the packets contain more seed than I require I sow as follows;

Year 1; I sow about a third of a packet, and more often that not I get fairly good germination.

Year 2; I sow the other two thirds, and assuming I only get 50% germination this is similar to the year before.

There are some seeds that I have had for three or four years. These are generally fairly large seeds that I sow individually so don't use as many each year.

These are generally brassicas, so in succeeding years I always sow a few more than I need to allow for poorer germination results.

e.g. year 1=12 seed >>> year 2=20 seed >>>year 3=30 seed in the hope of getting 10 each year, and it works pretty well!

[cleo]

Sweet corn will be fine the second year.

Stephan

[aquilegia]

thanks TG and Cleo.