Germination

Hi, im new to the Allotment forum, im normaly in the hen house, but ive been busy making a raised plot, ive got some old seeds, some could be as old as 6 years old, they have been kept in good dry conditions, ive planted beetroot, carrots, etc, but its been almost 3 weeks and nothing has shown, do you think the seeds may be off, or should i wait a little longer, or should i start anew with new seeds, we did have a unusal cold spell just after i put them in, i havent any book here to advise on germination times, TC

From Dr Hessayon's Veg expert:

Beetroot - start sowing from March under cloches or cover, or uncovered from mid-April.  Germination 10-14 days (may take a little longer).

Carrots - start sowing from March under cloches or cover, or uncovered from start April.  Germination approx 17 days.

I'd say you've probably started them off a little early and they may have been checked by the cold spell.  If you don't see anything in the next week, might be worth re-sowing.

If the seeds were previously unopened they will probably be ok, subject to anything specific in the thread linked to in MOS's post.

wILL DO, ITS NOW REALLY HOT HERE DURING THE DAY, SO POSS BETTER CHANCE NOW, THANKS TC