It's not your imagination. I've seen seed stored over the summer in 95+
degree heat with humidities upward of 50%. Overwinter some retailers simply
put the seedracks outside, sheltered, but uncontrolled temps and humidities.
Check the date on the pack for freshness. Buy only from retailers you know
store seed properly or directly from the producer via catalog.
Gary

"Repeating Decimal" wrote in message
...
Has anyone run into poor seed germination from seeds purchased presumably
fresh this year. I think it may be because the seeds may have been cooked
during storage.

In particular, I bought seeds several times from Target with the brand
name
Fordhook. They are prepared by Burpee. Out of about eight banana squash
seeds, only one sprouted. Out of their IIRC Big beef only a few
germinated.

Am I imagining this or do you really have to watch out for the retail
environment in which seeds are stored?

Bill