saving seed: lifespans (a Useful Thing, I hope!)

[triffid]

Different seeds have very different lifespans: if I'd known this four years ago, I'd still be using up my original consignment of tomato seeds!
So as we go into seed-storing mode, I thought this might help a few souls avoid my mistake...
Just trying to be useful: refinements/ additions welcome!  :)

seed lifespan 1 to 3 years

Beans (runners & French)
Carrot
Leek
Onion
Parsnip
Pea
Rocket
Sweetcorn

seed lifespan up to 5 years

Basil
Beetroot
Broad bean
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Lettuce
Pepper
Radish
Tomato
Turnip

seed lifespan 5 years +

Artichoke
Borage
Chicory
Cucumber
Endive
Pumpkin
Squash

[triffid]

[MrsKP]

Thanks for that triffid, interesting.

No wonder it's not publicised much, otherwise we'd only buy seed every 3 years or so !!!!  Won't stop us buying far too much for next year though lol.

;D

[supersprout]

Really useful triffid, thank you! Susan Campbell's 'A History of Kitchen Gardening' says that gardeners of yore who wanted compact melons with many fruit kept their seed for five years before planting :o

[katynewbie]

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

V useful triffid! Thanks lots, it makes me feel much better about the biscuit tin in the shed bursting at the seams! It really will "all come in useful one day"

;)

[lorna]

Yes I find that usefull info. Even though tis only my second year the seed box is filling although in my case mainly flower seeds.

[mc55]

this is really good, but I kept mine in the really hot greenhouse this year - I've heard that affects their lifespan ?

[rosebud]

Thank you for that usefull information.

[Hyacinth]

Many thanks! - have printed it off and I'm going to reorganize my seed box yet again ::)

[shirlton]

So glad I was greedy when they were selling them off in Wilkie's. I'm gonna do the same next year. Some seeds do say how long the seed lasts but others don't. Thanks for sharing the info.

[STHLMgreen]

Really helpful, thanks!!
I was wondering how long some saved basil seed should last just yesterday.

This should go in the wiki somewhere!

[calendula]

there are 'heritage' seeds from decades ago that are still viable  :) and you'll know when your seeds start to go 'off' as there will be poor germination and early signs of struggle - then's the time to dump but the seed merchants knows us better than what we do ourselves, oh so weak hearted when the seeds catalogues soon start to arrive - brace yourselves  ;D

[triffid]

Just thought I'd bump this, for all those weak-willed souls like me who're poring through seed catalogues right now...  ;)

[saddad]

Did you see that article about 200year old seeds being germinated... found in a book in a major archive...
::)

[artichoke]

I saved myself a lot of disappointment last year by sprinkling seeds onto wet kitchen paper on plastic trays inside plastic bags, and putting them in the airing cupboard. Then I sowed only the ones that germinated. It only takes a day or two to find out if they are viable or not, rather than a week or two or more in allotment ground. The other benefit is no thinning out of seedlings, a job I hate (both fiddly and wasteful).

I am terrible for keeping seed packets from year to year, and was constantly having failures until I tried this.

Another cause of failure is leaving seed packets in allotment hut all summer. Getting too hot ruins them.

This worked particularly well with parsley (normally slow to germinate) and lemon grass (notoriously patchy slow germination). Plan to do it with parsnips next spring (no room for parsnips last year).

[Robert_Brenchley]

How do other people store seed? i've never been very successful, probably due to overheating at some point in the summer.

[Barnowl]

I use cheap CD cases (no pun intended) - the zip up ones with a lot of soft plastic sleeves so I can flip through seeing what I've got.

[manicscousers]

I keep the seed in one of those plastic tool boxes, (nicked from ray), I'm still sowing lettuce and tomato seeds from 4 years ago, I'm of the attitude, throw it in and see what comes up, either that or use them as sprouting seeds

[cambourne7]

I have mine in a large box, but like the idea of the cd cases will ask at work if they have any spare ( no point spending money we you can get for free ).

I have seen some allotment holders sort them my season etc..

I have to do something as my list get getting a bit out of hand...http://lakeviewallotment.blogspot.com/

[Barnowl]

They used to hand the cases out all thethe time but that patch seems to have passed - perhaps MP3 players are to blame.

no point spending money we you can get for free ).

However talking of getting things for free I see you've got stacks of gravel on your allotment - do you or anyone else know of good source?

[cambourne7]

HI

Its not gravel its wood chips, contact your local tree surgens i am sure that one will be able to let you have some for free.

cambourne7