"Sow by 2005"

[aquilegia]

Does that mean the beginning of 2005 or the end?

I've ordered a packet of seeds that have "sow by 2005" on them. Should I complain? They are a present for my sister, so I want to make sure they work!

[aquilegia]

[rosebud]

Hi Aqui i would change them if they were mine,just to be on the safe side, usually seeds have at least a couple of years on them.

[Mrs Ava]

What are the seeds for?  Don't forget, some have a very short shelf life, like primulas and parsnips.

[aquilegia]

They are tomatoes, which I've heard keep for ages, but as they are a present...

[Mrs Ava]

If you have just purchased them, then I would send them back.  I bought some in Devon in a sale, and they are good til 2006, and some others I have received are good til 2007!

[aquilegia]

Sometimes it definitely pays to complain.

I called DT Brown up and told them. The woman said she'd checked their stock and call me back. Less than 10 minutes later she called and said they had seeds of that variety that say sow by 2007. Mine must've been a rogue packet. She's sending me another one and I can keep the old one. So Now I have a packet for my sister (the new ones) and one for me!