[Kathie]

Hi all,
Stupid question maybe but:

I've just found a plastic container, in an outside shed,  full of veg and flower seed packets, some opened others not, will they have been affected by the freezing weather we have had?

Thanks in advance

[Kristen]

There are no stupid questions

In general dry seeds will be OK frozen (I get Tomatoes all over my garden from seed that is in the compost heap that I spread in the Autumn)

However, damp seeds won't fare so well.

Unopened packets likely to be better.

If you are unsure put a few seeds on some kitchen paper and keep it moist and see how many grow. You can pot-up the ones that sprout if you don't have much seed, or just use it as a measure of percentage germination.

[mumofstig]

They seem to stand up to freezing better than getting hot, I find.............as long as they were dry!

I suggest you try a pinch of them on damp kitchen paper to see if they germinate, before you start sowing them all only to find that none come up! If you do that now you will still have time to buy replacements if necessary. Good luck


I obviously missed Kristen's post before sending mine, but we do agree 

[Swing Swang]

Dry seeds will freeze quite happily - Seedbanks store at -18C

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seedbank

[Kathie]

Thanks folks,  I will definately try the sprouting on kitchen towel, I will feel as though I have started!!!