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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: aquilegia on June 23, 2014, 11:01:38

Title: old seeds
Post by: aquilegia on June 23, 2014, 11:01:38
When tidying up the school shed earlier I found a whole load of old seeds, also have some of my own! Most are between 2 and 6 years past their date (if they even have a date!)

I know parsnips and (I think) peppers don't last. Are there any others that it's not even worth trying? Or are they any that keep for ages and ages (am I right in thinking tomatoes do?)

Or is there any way to check whether the seeds are still viable, other than by sowing them and (potentially) wasting time and compost and (more importantly) disappointing the children?

The seeds are mostly veg, salads and herbs, plus a few flowers. (so a bit of everything really, but the edibles are most important!)
Title: Re: old seeds
Post by: sparrow on June 23, 2014, 12:53:08
Chit them.

My 2-year old parnsips were still viable, just only 50% of them.
Title: Re: old seeds
Post by: aquilegia on June 23, 2014, 13:18:35
chit how?

that's good to know about parsnips - normally I've just sown the rest of the packet in my flower bed as I love the flowers!
Title: Re: old seeds
Post by: Amazingrotavator(Derby) on June 23, 2014, 15:33:49
Sow them on damp blotting paper.
Title: Re: old seeds
Post by: Digeroo on June 23, 2014, 16:28:55
If you do not have blotting paper, kitchen roll is perfect.   Damp but not too wet.   Sometime a spell in the freezer wakes things up.
Title: Re: old seeds
Post by: aquilegia on June 23, 2014, 16:47:11
Thanks!