AL_n wrote:
I read once that seeds taken from ancient Egyptian tombs germinated.

Yes, I just learned about the 2,000 year old seed from Japan which
germinated and grew into a healthy flowering magnolia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHFJ9...eature=related

I didn't have such succes with my 4-year old stock of vegetable seeds!

Quite impressive. I guess Egyptian tombs are designed to have good keeping
properties.

My out-of-date seeds are a bit hit and miss. Carrots, parsnipis, scorzonera
and cape gooseberries are all rubbish at germinating once they are anywhere
near their date. But I have a packet of beans that my neighbour gave me
when we moved in, and they were already out of date, and they still grow
each year! (I think I may have finished the pack last year, actually)
Iirc, they were dated 1999! (we moved in late Oct 2003)