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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Bun on April 23, 2006, 09:49:51

Title: Old seeds
Post by: Bun on April 23, 2006, 09:49:51
A few days ago I planted up lots of different veggie seeds. I did some beetroot, broccoli, sprouts, three different cabbages & some parsnips. I used left over seed from last year & beyond & have since read on a seed packet in a GC that I should only use fresh parsnip seed. Is this right? I know parsnips are really slow to germinate & I don't want to be waiting a long time for nothing to happen. Also, are any of the other seeds I've done going to need redoing?
Fanks in advance. :)
Title: Re: Old seeds
Post by: Larkspur on April 23, 2006, 12:22:57
The viability of even fresh parsnip seed is sow low that it probably isn't worth risking using old seed. I would resow if I were you. ;)
Title: Re: Old seeds
Post by: laurieuk on April 23, 2006, 16:44:40
Parsnips and onions are both best sown in the first year,other seeds will germinate well for a number of years,any of the cabbage family many years.
Title: Re: Old seeds
Post by: Anne Robertson on April 23, 2006, 18:37:20
My 100% germination of 1994 courgette seeds prove that old seeds can be OK
Title: Re: Old seeds
Post by: Curryandchips on April 23, 2006, 19:01:55
Old sweetcorn seed are also very unreliable ...
Title: Re: Old seeds
Post by: amphibian on April 23, 2006, 20:04:02
I have used lots of very old seed and have excellent results.