[mat whitlock]

evening all

ive noticed a shop near me is reducing the price of seeds, but alot of them have a sell/use by date for this year.

Iwas wondering, are seeds any good once they get to say 6months or a year past the use by date? if so is it worth me stocking up for next year

cheers all

[Val H]

Take a look at this http://www.allotment-garden.org/seed-saving/seed-storage-life.php

In most cases you'll be fine stocking up for next year (and the one after!).

[mat whitlock]

Thanks

i will be stocking up for next year tomorrow.

[Salmo]

When seeds reach their sow by date they have been in the packet 2 years so if you keep them for next year that is 3.

They will probably germinate OK but seeds loose vigour as they get older i.e. they are slower to germinate and the seedlings are weaker. That makes them more vunerable to infections and soil pests so losses are higher. If you are happy to nurse them through you will get a crop.

[sunshineband]

Thanks

i will be stocking up for next year tomorrow.

Just make sure you remember where you put them!