[Cazzy]

What a surprise I got, decided to chuck in some 3yr old cabbage seed early before buying new ones, not expecting any or at least very few to come up.

Looks like almost 100% germination  pity i'll probably have to bin them but have loads left in the packet.

Think i'll do the same with all the other old seed I have, could maybe save myself the price of a few packets and thats always good in my books 

Whats the oldest you've sown that was successful?

[gillie]

Oh, I don't know... ten years maybe?  If you keep them in cool dry conditions a lot of seeds last a long time.

Gillie

[Cazzy]

Thats really good to know gillie, I was under the impression that the sow by dates on the packets were an indication that they wouldn't be viable after that.

Suppose its beneficial for the seed companies if we chuck out 'out of date' seeds and buy new ones.

[zazen999]

Course it is!

I am still sowing 5 yr old lettuce seeds; I buy lots of different types and like a range; but am never going to grow them all by the use by date. so  to the suppliers!

[Cazzy]

so  to the suppliers!

and  from me too 

[madcat]

parsnips are supposed to be the ones that you have to buy new seed for each year and I always have - they are difficult enough to germinate as it is.

But last year I planted some tomato seeds (Italian plum) that I found - I had lost them years ago (10? maybe more) and they reappeared in a house move.  I planted twice as many as I wanted and early, thinking that the germination rate would be poor and I could alway do a few more with newer seed if they were hopeless.  Guess what? ....  all but 1 grew.    Had a lot of tomatoes to find places for ...   

[mumofstig]

This year is the 6th from a pkt of mixed lettuce from Seeds of italy, got 6000 seeds in a packet so I just carry on using them.....if/when they finally stop growing I will replace with more of the same Till then..  

[Lardman]

The bean seeds the old bloke next door uses are old enough to vote !!

[JayG]

I presume they would vote for the Green Party! 

[gardener247]

10 year old sweet peas i found in my suitcase from a holiday in france ten years ago all were mouldy but 2 grew!!

[Cazzy]

This is great, i've a whole tin of seeds that are 2/3yrs old.

[Stree]

Just this afternoon sown some Kos lettuce seeds, packet from 2007....and it is a cheaper brand packet as well .
Still come up every year though, although this sowing was the last of them. Might go on Ebay looking for seeds past their sell by date...............
Should put this on frugal as well

[Trillium]

I'm still sowing white tom seeds which were already 6 years old when I got them 4 years ago.

[madcat]

White tomatoes?  Wow!  Who, what, how do they look/taste like? 

Sorry Cazzy - off topic - please forgive!

[Cazzy]

White tomatoes?  Wow!  Who, what, how do they look/taste like? 

Sorry Cazzy - off topic - please forgive!

No forgiveness needed, I want to know too.  White beetroot surprised me but white toms?