Comments on: How long do seeds last?

By: Heather

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 15:22:03 +0000

I’ve had tomato had seeds sprout that were over 20 years old and several big moves later.

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By: Dan

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 16:07:28 +0000

In reply to Brenda.

Best Comment of all.

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By: George Lambert

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 23:51:45 +0000

My vote is that article’s “up to” should be interpreted as “avg.” For sure Brenda! And to refine the concept, maybe sew those old ones a wk or 2 early, and if don’t sprout as typical then use new ones even a wk or 2 later than would have otherwise. Worth the effort.

Freezing was mentioned in comments (and critical for those requiring stratification), but so much more should have been article. Seeds should be stored cool and dry. I store in tins with tight lids and add silica packs rcvd with supplements, etc. Some are stored in refrig which assume significantly prolongs viability. Storage matters a lot – just as with seafood!

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By: Brenda

Sat, 27 Jul 2019 15:48:33 +0000

My rule is “don’t bet the harvest” on old seed, but DO plant them”; you may just get a surprise!

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By: Ruth Ferguson

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 02:02:10 +0000

I found an envelope of Hollyhock seeds in my grandma’s desk, marked with the 5th year previous, so I planted some the next spring. Nothing came up. However the next spring they all came up and a gorgeous purple!!!

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By: Jim Jones

Sat, 23 Jun 2018 23:16:59 +0000

I’m going to disagree with the commenter who said that carrot seeds don’t last that long. I dumped a bunch of old seeds dated from 2008 in a big planter earlier this year and I’ve got carrot plants growing like weeds and tiny carrots burrowing into the soil.

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By: Bob Cajun

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 12:41:29 +0000

Storing dry seeds in tightly sealed jars in the deep freeze can increase viability of many seeds by years.

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By: peter prosser

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 21:42:54 +0000

Parsnips , barely one year.

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By: Sharon Bryson

Sat, 17 Jan 2015 14:20:00 +0000

An interesting note, although I think from past experience I would rearrange several things on your list….carrots really don’t seem to perform well after the first year, peppers on the other hand might get to four as will tomatoes. I have never had very good luck with cukes/squash that were at all “aged”, same with spinach. I would also never generalize with perennial seeds….they are such a mixed bag that it is impossible to make assumptions. While some might have more than a year’s life, many will barely make it through dry storage for one planting season.

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