[kezlou]

sorry everyone really stupid question  :oops:

How long after the expiry date can i use seeds?

Got given a bunch of seeds which are supposed to be used this year but i might not be able to plant them all out in time before the year is out.

(my lotty still hasn't arrived grrr)

Thanks a lot for looking

Kerry

[Yorkie]

It's often said that parsnip has to be used fresh.

For all seeds, if you haven't opened the packet and the seeds are still in the foil inner envelope, you may get away with it.

Once the foil wrapper has been opened, the seeds are said to start to deteriorate.

It's my understanding that those packets which have the seeds loose in them will probably be a lot more relaxed about expiry dates.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  Go for it next year!  You could always try germinating the seeds on damp kitchen towel in a plastic tub before sowing - so you can tell whether there's been any success or not.

[pushrod]

I often keep opened seeds for more than a year. They do start to lose their viability the longer they have been opened and i think it helps if they are stored somewhere cool. If the seeds are old i just sow them a little more densely, sometimes they all come up / sometimes hardly any. In general i think bigger seed/beans are a little more long lived.

[compostqueen]

Seeds can be viable for years..  I carefully open my seed packets so that I can seal them back up again, both the inner and outer packets. They need if poss to be kept in a Tupperware container in the fridge and they can last for absolutely ages.  It does help if you don't buy too many  :oops:

[DD.]

Far be it for me to recommend a book other then John's, but Dr. Hessayon's does give guidelines to seed viability.

As has been initmated by previous posters, a lot depends on the storage conditions & yes, don't bother with parsnips!

[gobs]

In my experience, expiry dates are put on with great care to err on side of caution, most seeds germinate quite well a few years beyond it.

[muntjac]

i had some runner beans given me from gramps kept in a tin in the cool have come up after 10 yrs ,stil growing the seeds from the original parent plant sown 3 yrs ago