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Garden Gate:  how long are seeds good for?  |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 09 2011 : 12:46:20 PM
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I have a package of Dragon Tongue Beans from Baker Creek (this year). They didn't get planted and I'm wondering if they will still be good for next year?
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com |
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woolgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
901 Posts
Elizabeth
Great Lakes
IL
USA
901 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2011 : 12:58:52 PM
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I have been wondering the same thing. I didn't get around to a few things this year. What if you keep them in the fridge or a cool dark basement. like you do with bulbs? Anyone think that would work?
Liz
Farmgirl #1947
www.militaryfarmgirl.blogspot.com |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2907 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2907 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2011 : 8:22:11 PM
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I planted several beans from last year, or even older. Germination was at least 75%.
I did nothing special with them, just store them in an airtight container over winter. I am sure this is not the recommended method, but it works for me. |
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schoolmama
True Blue Farmgirl
70 Posts
Amy
WI
USA
70 Posts |
Posted - Aug 09 2011 : 8:44:34 PM
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| we planted several leftover seeds from last year. they seemed to do fine. We kept them in an ice cream bucket in the basement . |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2011 : 06:24:41 AM
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I've used older seeds before and had good luck with them. I keep mine in their original packets in a cardboard box downstairs in our storage space.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
A Beehive is the ultimate Home Sweet Home
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mydakota
True Blue Farmgirl
152 Posts
kristi
redmond
oregon
USA
152 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2011 : 06:59:34 AM
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Right now, out in my garden, is a pumpkin plant that is from a pkg I almost threw away. I almost threw it away because I found it in a drawer, stuck between two old pamphlets. The date on the pkg is 1992. No kidding. It is huge and trying to take over the yard. I wouldn't worry about it. It will grow. Seeds are just miracles.
HearthCricket Farm. Where the door is always open, and the coffee is always on. |
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Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2011 : 1:18:40 PM
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Seeds will last you quite awhile. Think of all those seeds they have found in ruins that when planted sprouted. You loose viability and some may not germinate so I always plant a little extra if using older seeds, but if they are from this year, you should have no trouble with planting them next year.
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2011 : 3:27:04 PM
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I was told by our local Nursey that you shoulod store any un-used seeds in the fridge...and that each year they will germinate, but each year the percent deminishes by 10-15%...So I hang on to my left over seeds and use them 1st before buying need packs of seeds.
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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luckilady
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Jennifer
Loxahatchee
Fl
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2011 : 07:29:17 AM
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I always have leftover seeds, and when I start the new garden season I just plant the older seeds first and they always grow! Last year I used 2 year old tomato seeds and they were the biggest producers. Living in Florida they always just tell us gardeners to keep the seeds out of the heat, it works :)
~Jennifer
Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. ~ John Maxwell
Farmgirl Sister #3375 |
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coaloha
True Blue Farmgirl
502 Posts
Pam
USA
502 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2011 : 9:11:27 PM
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Seeds will usually do fine if held over from one year to the next. I store mine in a brown paper bag in a cupboard.
Pam Barnes-Palty
Phoenix, AZ
Farmgirl #1075
Be distracted by joy |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2011 : 10:20:11 PM
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if you order the territorial seed catalog on line it tells you. their catalog is like an encyclopedia for seeds. each variety tells you all the seed info right on the page with the seeds.hope this helps happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
Posted - Aug 17 2011 : 04:14:23 AM
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Amy,
what I have done for many years is keep all of my seed in tupperware bread keepers. they are the perfect shape for seed packets. I usually have over 100 different seed packets- so they work perfect for me. The other tip is to keep them cool- if you have room in the fridge, or in the basement as long as it's not humid. I've used seed over 5+ years old and have had decent germ rates.
bottom line: keep seed cool and most importantly- dry. the tupperware works well for sealing out air. i used a rubbermaid brand bread keeper once, and all the seed in that one got moldy (because it didnt keep out the air very well). every seed packet in the tupperware was fine.
if you only have a few packets- place them in a ziplock freezer bag and keep in the freezer or fridge.
connie
http://www.naturemaiden.com/- Soap & Candle
http://flowerchild-lifeinthegarden.blogspot.com/ My Blog
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/farmgirl-crafting-group/ - A group for all farmgirls wanting to share their craft.
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Edited by - naturemaiden on Aug 17 2011 04:18:32 AM |
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Dorinda
True Blue Farmgirl
1023 Posts
Dorinda
St. Cloud
Florida
USA
1023 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2011 : 5:36:50 PM
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Connie I have also used seeds that were 5 years old and they germinated. It never hurts to try the old seeds out. I just planted some that were 3 years old and about 75% germinated so you just have to give it a try. I keep mine out in my potting shed in tin cans! So far! So good! I have been starting my own starts now for about 3 years. I really enjoy it and have saved alot of money by doing this. I have even started keeping seeds out of the good produce that the bush produces.I had one tomatoe plant that produced around 75 tomatoes on that one bush. I wish I would of saved the seeds from some of that fruit. The old timers say if you get a good plant like that you should try and save some of the seeds from it.
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2011 : 8:15:27 PM
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I have some dried chili peppers from at least twenty years ago. I sprinkled some of the seeds in my garden to ward off pests and they sprouted. I've been keeping them in a plastic container all this time, in a dark cabinet. seeds are incredible.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2011 : 1:48:54 PM
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My father always says it is okay, keeping them in a dark, cool and dry spot. From all the testimonies above, sounds like he's right! Good to know.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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Garden Gate: how long are seeds good for? |
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how long are seeds good for?
