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Garden Gate:  Garden seed viability chart FYI  |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 27 2012 : 09:38:13 AM
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I know that I'm always forgetting how long, under ideal conditions, seed is good for and what I need to send away for in any given year so I went looking for a chart to paste up inside of my pantry door and found this one. My house stays at around 65 - 70 most of the year except in the heat of summer, so that I will have a reduced viability due to heat, but this does give you a rough estimate.
http://www.homegrown.org/profiles/blogs/seed-viability-chart
Seed Type Longevity Under Proper Seed Storage Conditions
Artichokes 5 years
Arugula 3 years
Beans 3 years
Beets 4 years
Brrocoli 3 years
Brussels Sprouts 4 years
Cabbage 4 years
Carrots 3 years
Cauliflower 4 years
Celery/Celeriac 5 years
Chard 4 years
Collards 5 years
Corn 2 years
Cress 5 years
Cucumbers 5 years
Eggplant 4 years
Endive/Escarole 5 years
Fennel 4 years
Kale 4 years
Kohlrabi 4 years
Leeks 1 year
Lettuce 5 years
Melons 5 years
Mustard 4 years
Okra 2 years
Onions 1 year
Peas 3 years
Peppers 2 years
Pumpkins 4 years
Radish 5 years
Rutabagas 4 years
Spinach 1 year
Summer Squash 4 years
Tomatoes 4 years
Turnips 5 years
Watermelon 4 years
Winter Squash 4 years
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2012 : 09:56:53 AM
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Good chart Annika! I know I've read stories of seeds they found in burial chambers of Egyptians that were still viable 1000 of years later. I think that "packaged for the 2012 season" on the seed packs have a lot of people thinking the seeds expire and are no good.
Audrey
http://prairiecairncottage.blogspot.com/
.jpg) Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
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FARMALLChick
True Blue Farmgirl
978 Posts
Lora
Alexandria
IN
USA
978 Posts |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2012 : 5:08:05 PM
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Thanks for sharing that chart.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2012 : 03:43:38 AM
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Annika
Your chart really made my day. I had planted some seeds from last year and was keeping my fingers crossed. I feel much better now. Thank you so much!
Marianne |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2012 : 12:51:36 PM
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good topic.
For years now, I have stored all of my seed in the original seed packages and in tupperware bread keepers. (dont use the rubbermaid ones..your seed will get moldy). anyhow, since i harvest a lot of seed myself as well as buy some, I have a lot of seed. I also store bulk flower seed in mason jars, and they do just fine in there. I have planted seed that was over 7 yrs old and it grew and produced just fine. I find that if you keep the seed cool and dry (freezer in summer, or in a cool dry basement in winter), it will last many yrs beyond what is stated on the seed packets.
Prepper tip: If you wanted to start a seed bank, I would suggest that the seed packets goes into an airtight mylar bag with oxygen absorbers, sealed and then into an airtight container. Kept in a cool, dry place I bet that seed would last 25+ years.
Connie
http://www.naturemaiden.com/ - Soap & Candle
http://modern-day-laura.blogspot.com/ -My Personal Blog
http://www.prairiefarmherbs.com/ -Herb Plants for the Home Garden
http://www.thriftyfarmgirl.com/ -My Online Thrift Shop
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Edited by - naturemaiden on May 05 2012 12:56:07 PM |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2012 : 07:34:52 AM
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Very good topic--as far as flowers go, I bought some Hollyhocks from Bakers Creek Heirloom seeds 6 years ago, planted them as soon as I got them and only one group actually bloomed. They look terrible, now, with some sort of rust/mildew but all of the sudden, this season, I noticed these giant leaved stalks of something growing up around the bird feeders and I thought, "what did those birds bring in now!?" Turns out, it's the hollyhocks I planted SIX years ago!!!!! They're now about 8 feet tall.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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Garden Gate: Garden seed viability chart FYI |
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Garden seed viability chart FYI
