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hi guys im new to collecting seeds as ive only started my garden this year. i was wondering how i find out how long seeds collected are viable for. do they all need planting in the first year or can i keep some for a few years. i seem to be acumilating quite a fair few seeds. i have collected various of my own and also purchased some. i have lots at the moment as i am going to be moving house next week and after lovingly building up my garden have now had to demolish it and transplant the plants i can to new garden. so im going to be grwoing seeds like crazy over the next 6 months or so as i have a larger garden in new house lol. but im hoping to start getting even more seeds collected next year. also even though i have a larger garden to fill i do have various seeds available for swap if anyone is interested feel free to pm me. i also have wolfsbane seed which i only found out after purchase that they are poisenous and i have a 3 yr old and a 5 yr old so not a very goo idea.

It depends on the seed. eg Parsnips are generally only good for 1 year, onions 2,sweetcorn 2, tomatoes, squash and beans for several years, older seed is worth trying so don't chuck it out eg  parsnips may germinate after 1 year but expect the germimation to be far less.

There are lists on the net with all veggie on.

XX Jeannine

As Jeannine says...
But to add to that, how you keep your seeds make big difference for their 'shelf life'. The more even the temp and cooler the better..so storing in GH is quite killer. I keep mine in cool room in house in plastic storage boxes. Each type of seeds (tomatoes, brassicas etc) are bundled in plastic bags within the boxes and I pop some of those moisture collecting silica gel pouches that you get inside shop brought products (shoes etc.) to keep the seeds 'dry'...seeds are 'dry' but moisture can seep inside the boxes.
That way my seeds last way longer viable that usually is listed for.
I keep some seeds even in fridge..in tightly sealed plastic containers and again with those silica gel things.
You don't necessary need the silica gel 'things', but if you really find yo self hoarding a good selection of seeds together and wish to keep your stash going on..they are worth investing for...I've seen them being sold in Ebay and they weren't huge amount of money. I haven't bought any yet as I have managed to get quite a supply for free from work
Be warned....seed saving is 'dangerous'...you will soon find all manner of tins, boxes and containers stacked up in all over the place..they will take over your life!

Goodlife, you naughty girl, you will frighten her to death, seeds taking over your life indeed that would make you a seedaholic... something I would never allow myself to be.. cough cough.

One of these days I will make a pictorial quilt showing the tomatoes on windowsills, squash under the bed and seed packets bursting out of every dresser drawer, tut tut, sad I won't be able to use my own house as a feature..

now have you heard the one  about the squash X pearl barley seed yet that makes soup making so easy.

XX Jeannine

OHHHH...I must get some of those seeds 

and here was me thinking they came from you

I find putting parsnip and other short-lived seeds in the freezer preserves them well.