Check seeds

There is an easy way to tell if the seeds inside an old seed pack are still good — before going through the time and trouble of planting check seeds seeds in the garden to find out. Seed packets typically state the planting year that the seeds were packaged for as well as the germination rate. As years go by and the seeds age, the germination rate declines, faster or slower depending on the variety of seeds and how the seeds were stored, check seeds.

Like food, seeds have a shelf life. Find out how to test whether yours are 'viable' in our guide. Sowing seed that is old is a bit of a gamble. It might germinate well, but it might not. Over time, seed viability decreases, and different seeds have different storage times. To take the guesswork out of sowing old seed, do a simple viability test.

Check seeds

Proper storage conditions for seeds are essential to maintain viability and good germination at planting time. You can test the germination rate of your seeds to be sure they are viable and worth the time to sow and grow. More information about storing seeds, testing seed germination rates, and the expected viability of common vegetables can be found below. Seeds should be kept dry and cool. A sealed glass jar can keep excess moisture out and protect seeds from pests like mice or insects. Store jars in a cool, dry location such as a cool closet, root cellar, or refrigerator. Test the germination rate on the seeds about one month before planting. Store leftover seeds in air-tight containers in a cool location like a root cellar or refrigerator. If you collect the seed from your garden, ensuring the seed is dry after cleaning and processing is the most important step to successfully storing seed. Place seed in labeled envelopes. In a separate envelope, place an equal amount of silica gel. Place both envelopes into a clean glass jar and seal shut. After one to two weeks, the seed should be sufficiently dry for storage.

Based on the check seeds germination times listed on the seed packet, check the seeds in a few days to see if any have sprouted.

Our kids love this sneak peek! Or maybe you have some envelopes of seeds you harvested yourself and forgot to date. Yep, I have some of those, too! Sometimes, I use Option 1 and plant as usual. Sometimes, I hedge my bets by planting thickly as in Option 2, but honestly, I try to avoid thinning except for greens! For old seeds, Option 3 lets me know what to expect.

There is an easy way to tell if the seeds inside an old seed pack are still good — before going through the time and trouble of planting the seeds in the garden to find out. Seed packets typically state the planting year that the seeds were packaged for as well as the germination rate. As years go by and the seeds age, the germination rate declines, faster or slower depending on the variety of seeds and how the seeds were stored. Seeds that you received from a friend or from a seed swap may have no date at all and were likely never tested for their germination rate. Seed packets typically state the planting year that the seeds were packaged for, but seeds that you received from a friend or from a seed swap may not have that helpful information. The point of the germination test is to determine if you need to plant a few extra seeds to get as many plants as you want, or if you should not bother planting those old seeds at all. First, take a paper towel and moisten it with a spray bottle. Place 10 of the seeds to be tested onto the paper towel, then carefully fold the wet paper towel over the seeds. Place the paper towel and seeds in a plastic bag, seal it, and label the bag with the variety and the date.

Check seeds

Home » Gardening. Are you wondering if the seeds you intended to use last year are still good? Or, what about those heirloom seeds you got as a wedding favor a few years back?

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Aaron Steil Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist Aaron Steil is the consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University where he works with county Extension offices across the state to answer home gardening questions for all Iowans. See full disclosure below. Using Sprouted Seeds It always seems a waste to throw away perfectly good seeds that have burst into life, so if the time is right for sowing that crop by all means plant them! Depending on the variety you are testing, the viable seeds could sprout in just a few days. Proper storage conditions for seeds are essential to maintain viability and good germination at planting time. If nothing happens after waiting the appropriate length of time, you know the seeds are no good. They must go through a cold cycle, refrigerator cold — not necessarily freezer cold, before they will germinate. Not all seeds will work this way. Ornamental Plants and Flowers. Seed left in storage will decrease in quality over time. Oh, and some suspect seeds of course!

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Once all seeded cotton balls have been placed, blow air into glove and secure top of glove with a twist tie or string. If handled very carefully, germinated seeds from the germination test may be planted in the garden if the planting time is right or in cell packs and peat pots for further growth. If nothing happens after waiting the appropriate length of time, you know the seeds are no good. However, none of the prices of these resources have been increased to compensate us. Is that good or bad?? Below is a guide to give you an idea of how long you can expect certain vegetable seeds to remain viable when stored under optimal conditions. Note: You could also place the damp towel on a plate and cover with cling wrap. Last Reviewed:. If the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, discard, because they probably will not sprout. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Another option is to eat them. Based on the average germination times listed on the seed packet, check the seeds in a few days to see if any have sprouted. Count how many have germinated — if it's about half, then you've got 50 per cent viability. What about using a sprouting jar, like for bean sprouts? If the seed does not look fresh or is more than one year old, it is beneficial to test the germination rate.