Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: heavyplot! on January 23, 2008, 22:10

Title: 'out of date' seed packets
Post by: heavyplot! on January 23, 2008, 22:10
Hello

I have some seed packets in the shed for:

peas
lettuce/salad leaves
carrots

they are 'just' out of date (3 to 6mths) as i never planted them - well tried carrots in a tub in the garden, but nothing happened.

can i use them to grow seedlings for my allottment or as a novice am i better off just starting again?


Also, is there a simple ovewrview of seed planting available on this site;

ie

January :  Seeds to sow into trays:  Seeds to move to soil:

and so on

very much the novice and don't want to miss out

thanks :lol:
Title: 'out of date' seed packets
Post by: ditchdigger on January 23, 2008, 22:12
they'll be ok.
Title: 'out of date' seed packets
Post by: Trillium on January 23, 2008, 22:13
A lot of seeds are still viable after their 'expiry' date, but to be sure, dampen a bit of paper towel (already labeled with seed name), put in a few seeds, wrap up and store in a tied clear baggy in a warm place for a few days. Most seeds will sprout quickly this way. If you see nothing by 2 weeks, then you'll need to replace.
Title: 'out of date' seed packets
Post by: splodger on January 23, 2008, 22:30
re your seeds - what do you have to lose?

chuck them in a bit of dirt - if they do not germinate - so what - you can buy some fresh ones

always go for it where gardening is concerned(flowers and veg)

the only rules - belong to someone else  :wink:
Title: 'out of date' seed packets
Post by: Aunt Sally on January 23, 2008, 23:09
Plant the carrots in their growing position.  but you can start the peas off in the greenhouse if you want an early crop.  I grew them in some guttering last year and transplanted them when 3 or 4 inches high

Ther'e a bit here about it

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=2938#2938
Title: 'out of date' seed packets
Post by: cooperman on January 23, 2008, 23:09
as the others have said have a go - BUT  carrot seed is usually only viable for 1 season - so its always best to use it all up in one hit and not save any for the next season, the others should be fine
Title: 'out of date' seed packets
Post by: splodger on January 23, 2008, 23:17
Quote from: "Aunt Sally"
Plant the carrots in their growing position.  but you can start the peas off in the greenhouse if you want an early crop.  I grew them in some guttering last year and transplanted them when 3 or 4 inches high

Ther'e a bit here about it

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=2938#2938


why don't you put a few pointers in the wggywotzit aunty - i am sure you can add so much to the thread - what with your 300 yrs of knowledge and expertise  :wink:
Title: 'out of date' seed packets
Post by: Aunt Sally on January 23, 2008, 23:28
Quote from: "splodger"
Quote from: "Aunt Sally"
Plant the carrots in their growing position.  but you can start the peas off in the greenhouse if you want an early crop.  I grew them in some guttering last year and transplanted them when 3 or 4 inches high

Ther'e a bit here about it

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=2938#2938


why don't you put a few pointers in the wggywotzit aunty - i am sure you can add so much to the thread - what with your 300 yrs of knowledge and expertise  :wink:

And there was me thinking life was too short  :lol: Feel free to add that reference Splodge  :D
Title: thanks all
Post by: heavyplot! on January 23, 2008, 23:55
thanks all
Title: 'out of date' seed packets
Post by: oakfairy on January 26, 2008, 23:53
we sowed a lot of seeds last year in pots, some were several years old and they all came up with the exception of some yellow peppers. give it a go or you'll never know... if they don't come up, just put some second early potatoes in, you can't lose.
Title: 'out of date' seed packets
Post by: GrannieAnnie on January 27, 2008, 12:35
Try the month by month guide HP!!!

http://www.allotment-garden.org/garden_month.php
Title: 'out of date' seed packets
Post by: siztenboots on January 27, 2008, 12:42
My saying is, they got two chances, some chance if you plant em, no chance if you dont