For seeds, that is.

Now, ones from last year to use by end 2012 should probably be O.K.

But what about ones to use by end 2011?

Is the 'use by' date like that for drugs etc. when they draw a line when
they are for example only 80% effective?

I have just been sorting out my bags of left over seeds and wondering how
many might still be viable.

Perhaps I will experiment :-)

I assume in the wild seeds can lie dormant for several years until
conditions improve.

Cheers

Dave R

--
No plan survives contact with the enemy.
[Not even bunny]

Helmuth von Moltke the Elder

(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

On 27/03/2012 15:30, David WE Roberts wrote:
For seeds, that is.

Now, ones from last year to use by end 2012 should probably be O.K.

But what about ones to use by end 2011?

Is the 'use by' date like that for drugs etc. when they draw a line when
they are for example only 80% effective?

I have just been sorting out my bags of left over seeds and wondering
how many might still be viable.

Perhaps I will experiment :-)

I assume in the wild seeds can lie dormant for several years until
conditions improve.

Cheers

Dave R


In my experience the viability depends greatly on the type of seed. I
tend to use (opened) packets from previous years until they run out or
fail to germinate. Lettuce seems to fail three years after the packet
being open. Runner bean seeds seemingly last for ever. Parsnip seem to
be hit and miss the following year. I can't even get mache to germinate
the same year it is opened (within date!).

--
David in Normandy.
To e-mail you must include the password FROG on the
subject line, or it will be automatically deleted
by a filter and not reach my inbox.

"David WE Roberts" wrote:

Is the 'use by' date like that for drugs etc. when they draw a line when
they are for example only 80% effective?
Longevity depends very much on the family line, as with people. Google
"seed longevity" to get an idea, but be aware that seedsmen may be selling
several-year-old seed as long as it meets germination requirements.
I've gotten decent germination from 10 year old beet seed that I saved
myself and stored carefully (cool, dry, though not frozen which makes some
last _much_ longer).

--
Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/4 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G

In article ,
says...

For seeds, that is.

Now, ones from last year to use by end 2012 should probably be O.K.

But what about ones to use by end 2011?

Is the 'use by' date like that for drugs etc. when they draw a line when
they are for example only 80% effective?

I have just been sorting out my bags of left over seeds and wondering how
many might still be viable.

Perhaps I will experiment :-)

I assume in the wild seeds can lie dormant for several years until
conditions improve.

Cheers

Dave R

Experimentation is always the best idea, everyone will have their own
ideas.

I've just sown the last of the broad bean seeds I collected in 2006. We
were away all summer, and by the time we got back the crop had all dried
up, so I just picked it and podded it, shoved it in a paper bag and
been using ever since. Not noticed any degradation in germination rate.

--
Roger T

700 ft up in Mid-Wales

"Roger Tonkin" wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...

For seeds, that is.

Now, ones from last year to use by end 2012 should probably be O.K.

But what about ones to use by end 2011?

Is the 'use by' date like that for drugs etc. when they draw a line when
they are for example only 80% effective?

I have just been sorting out my bags of left over seeds and wondering how
many might still be viable.

Perhaps I will experiment :-)

I assume in the wild seeds can lie dormant for several years until
conditions improve.

Cheers

Dave R

Experimentation is always the best idea, everyone will have their own
ideas.

I've just sown the last of the broad bean seeds I collected in 2006. We
were away all summer, and by the time we got back the crop had all dried
up, so I just picked it and podded it, shoved it in a paper bag and
been using ever since. Not noticed any degradation in germination rate.

--
Roger T

700 ft up in Mid-Wales

Hasn't someone somewhere grown a seed from umpteen thousands of years ago
and produced a plant with a white flower?

Come on for crying out loud I'm not a gardener, (as you are
soooooooooooooooo often reminded), but I read these things!!!!!!!!!!

Mike
On the South East Coast of the Isle of Wight
Easter Egg Hunt. Did you take notice?

Who doesn't prune his posts on urg in accordance to the 'norm' of those who
should know better

--

....................................

I'm an Angel, honest ! The horns are there just to keep the halo straight.

....................................

On Mar 27, 2:30*pm, "David WE Roberts" wrote:
For seeds, that is.

Now, ones from last year to use by end 2012 should probably be O.K.

But what about ones to use by end 2011?

Is the 'use by' date like that for drugs etc. when they draw a line when
they are for example only 80% effective?

I have just been sorting out my bags of left over seeds and wondering how
many might still be viable.

Perhaps I will experiment :-)

I assume in the wild seeds can lie dormant for several years until
conditions improve.

Cheers

Dave R

I once planted much of a garden up with seed packets that must have
been at least 50 years old, and rather damp. I planned to get new
seeds a month later for whatever failed, but no need. Not everything
grew of course, but enough succeeded to fill the garden and more.


NT

"Roger Tonkin" wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...

For seeds, that is.

Now, ones from last year to use by end 2012 should probably be O.K.

But what about ones to use by end 2011?

Is the 'use by' date like that for drugs etc. when they draw a line when
they are for example only 80% effective?

I have just been sorting out my bags of left over seeds and wondering how
many might still be viable.

Perhaps I will experiment :-)

I assume in the wild seeds can lie dormant for several years until
conditions improve.

Cheers

Dave R

Experimentation is always the best idea, everyone will have their own
ideas.

I've just sown the last of the broad bean seeds I collected in 2006. We
were away all summer, and by the time we got back the crop had all dried
up, so I just picked it and podded it, shoved it in a paper bag and
been using ever since. Not noticed any degradation in germination rate.

--

I can't remember who said it but it was "Plants want to live."
I would try old seed and if it didn't germinate, so be it. Buy some newer
seed.
Also it's in the seed merchants interest to make you buy it every year by
putting use by dates on the packet.
Lettuce are iffy about lasting as are parsnips IME, but I would definitely
try.
My grandfather died in the 80's and occasionally I still come across the
runner beans seeds he saved, and gave to me - obviously I never saved them
all in the same place ;-)
They always grow. I don't know what variety they are but he grew them since
the 30.s and always saved seed.

On Tue, 27 Mar 2012 David WE Roberts wrote:

For seeds, that is.
Now, ones from last year to use by end 2012 should probably be O.K.
But what about ones to use by end 2011?

Is the 'use by' date like that for drugs etc. when they draw a line when they are
for example only 80% effective?

I have just been sorting out my bags of left over seeds and wondering
how many might still be viable. Perhaps I will experiment :-)
I assume in the wild seeds can lie dormant for several years until
conditions improve.

I didn't reply to this immediately as I thought others might quote from
any books they might have on this subject. However as they haven't, here
goes ...

I have a copy of Newsham's Horticultural Notebook, which was first
published in 1905 and went through several editions before being revised
by Colonel W. E. Shewell Cooper in 1950. It was a handbook aimed at
"horticultural advisers, gardeners, nurserymen, students, and all
horticulturists" as a quick source of information. My copy is dated 1960
and originally belonged to my parents. Just how accurate it is by
today's standards I don't know.

I have photocopied the page on the longevity of seeds. There are two
tables, the first presumably by Newsham himself and the second by the
French gardener and nurseryman Vilmorin (whose name still exists on seed
packets sold in France today). I post this for what it's worth! At the
very least it is interesting. I hope the formatting comes out reasonably
well for you!


TABLE SHOWING APPROXIMATELY THE LONGEVITY OF COMMON GARDEN SEEDS.

years
Artichoke 5 to 10
Asparagus 4 to 8
Beans, Broad 2 to 4
Beans, Kidney 3 to 8
Beet 5 to 10
Cabbage 5 to 8
Carrot 5 to 10
Celery 7 to 10
Cardoon 6 to 9
Cress 4 to 8
Cucumber 8 to 10
Gourd 6 to 10
Lavender 4 to 6
Leeks 4 to 8
Lettuce 4 to 8
Melons 6 to 10
Mustard 4 to 8
Onions 2 to 5
Parsnip 2 to 4
Parsley 4 to 8
Peas 2 to 7
Pumpkin 8 to 10
Radish 4 to 8
Rhubarb 3 to 6
Salsify 2 to 7
Spinach 4 to 6
Tomato 3 to 6
Turnip 5 to 7

LONGEVITY OF GARDEN SEEDS (Monsieur de VILMORIN).

Mean. | Utmost Years.
Angelica - l or 2 3
Bean · 3 8
Beet - · 6 10
Borecole · 5 10
Broccoli - 5 10
Cabbage - 5 10
Carrot - 4 or 5 10
Cauliflower - 5 10
Celery - 8 10
Cress, Common 5 9
Cucumber - 10 10
Endive - 10 10
Gourds · 6 10
Kohlrabi - 5 10
Leek - - 3 9
Lettuce · 5 9
Maize - · 2 4
Mustard · 4 9
Onion- - 2 7
Parsnip · 2 4
Parsley - 3 9
Pea, Garden - 3 8
Pea Field - 3 8
Pepper - 4 7
Pumpkin - 4 or 5 9
Radish . 5 10
Rhubarb - 3 8
Rosemary - 4 ?
Rue - - 2 5
Sage - - 3 7
Salsify - 2 8
Scorzonera - 2 7
Seakale - 1 7
Spinach - 5 7
Strawberry - 3 6
Thyme - 3 7
Tomato - 4 9
Turnip - 5 10
Water-melon - 6 10
Wormwood - 4 6

David

--
David Rance writing from Caversham, Reading, UK
http://rance.org.uk