[gingerplant]

Hello there
I sometimes pop up on the chicken forums but am new to the veg growing forum, so hello everyone!
Been growing in our garden for the last couple of years, and have some seeds left over which the packets say are out of date .... they've been kept indoors in a tin in their packets, pretty much sealed with clipits .... is it worth risking using them & therefore risking nothing coming up?
Anyone have any experience  of this?  Seems such a waste......
Thanks!

[sunshineband]

You could try checking their germination rate by putting some on wet tissue on a saucer indoors in the warm, to see if they are worth sowing.

Lots of seeds are OK for years, just a lower germination rate

[bazh]

Most definately worth a go. Just have some new ones as back up.

[arugula]

Nothing ventured..... You might be lucky, there's no harm in trying, but you might get nothing so be prepared for that. Some seeds, such as parsnip, don't keep at all and others will go years past their date.

[gingerplant]

Wow that was quick!  Everyone must be doing the same as me ... sitting with a pile of seeds and a pencil & pad, planning!
Thanks a lot.
I will give it a go, but give the parsnips a miss ... my Mum went mental this Christmas and bought me about 30 packets of seeds  (for my 4 raised beds!) so I have a few as backups 
Thanks!

[arugula]

I'm not saying don't try the parsnips, I was just warning they're notorious for not ageing well. You could try as sunny said and do a germination test.

[Rangerkris]

I have some seeds that have not been stored in the best of conditions really and they are still good after a couple of years. Give it a shot and see what happens.

[gingerplant]

Germination test sounds like a good idea - will give it a go if I get round to being that organised 

[Christine]

Here's one of my favourite links - which just shows what a lot of stuff is hiding around this site.

Yes it works for me. I've used older than that kohl rabi and had an excellent crop last year. So - try it and see.

[gingerplant]

Thanks for the link - i had had a little look around before posting, but obviously missed that gem of a page!  Very useful,
Thanks everyone!

[Yorkie]

Thanks for that link Christine, I was going to have to hunt for it later and you've saved me the trouble!

Having just gone through my seed box, I have quite a few packets of seed which date back 4 or so years.  I'm going to risk it with them, and only buy new seed if the germination rate is poor.

NB Except parsnip.  That's fresh seed every year.

[shokkyy]

I've got 10 year old seeds that are still giving me high germination rates