Tell me, please, can I use seeds left over from last year? Seeds for sunflowers, cucumbers, peppers, pumpkins. The packets say for the year 2010. I'm very new to seed planting.
I have used bean seeds from the same pack stored in a cool, dry garage for 3 years.
If you want to test your seeds you can put 10 seeds on a damp paper towel and fold it over. Put it in a plastic sandwich bag and seal. Mark the date on the bag. Keep it at warm room temperature. Check to make sure it stays damp. Days to germination may be marked on the seed packet. If, after the requisite number if days (usually 7 to 10 I think), 5 seeds have germinated you have a 50% germination rate. You can then plant the seeds realizing that you will only get half as many plants or get a new pack.
If all or most germinate, you’re good to go. Or you can do what I do - plant the seeds an hope for the best. Good luck.
Donna, I'm wih you. I have never tested germination of seeds.
Phillip may enjoy this little experiment. I'm going to send the information to my grandkids in Virginia (along with some old seed packets) to see if they want to give it a try. If Phillip ia interested, please let us all know.
Some old, some new; some herbs; some vegetables; some flowers; some to keep; some to give away. No need to buy more seeds. Done.
4 comments:
Tell me, please, can I use seeds left over from last year? Seeds for sunflowers, cucumbers, peppers, pumpkins. The packets say for the year 2010. I'm very new to seed planting.
donna
Donna,
I have used bean seeds from the same pack stored in a cool, dry garage for 3 years.
If you want to test your seeds you can put 10 seeds on a damp paper towel and fold it over. Put it in a plastic sandwich bag and seal. Mark the date on the bag. Keep it at warm room temperature. Check to make sure it stays damp. Days to germination may be marked on the seed packet. If, after the requisite number if days (usually 7 to 10 I think), 5 seeds have germinated you have a 50% germination rate. You can then plant the seeds realizing that you will only get half as many plants or get a new pack.
If all or most germinate, you’re good to go. Or you can do what I do - plant the seeds an hope for the best. Good luck.
Being the lazy person that I am, I'll probably hope for the best.
Thanks for the info. Might be fun to do with Phillip.
donna
Donna,
I'm wih you. I have never tested germination of seeds.
Phillip may enjoy this little experiment. I'm going to send the information to my grandkids in Virginia (along with some old seed packets) to see if they want to give it a try. If Phillip ia interested, please let us all know.
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