Do vegetable seeds have 'plant by' dates?

Question

In other words if i plant some vegetable seeds which were bought 5 years ago, will they still grow?

Answer 1

It all depends on the specific vegetable seeds.

However, seeds are normally packed in a hermetic sealed packet, which is then placed inside an outer packet bearing the product's information,  which for practical purposes, is considered airtight.

In some cases seeds stored in this way *may* last indefinite

Answer 2

Yes, seeds do have a 'plant by' date.

But different seeds stay 'live' for very different lengths of time.

Peas and beans are quite short-lived: best planted within a year or two of purchase or harvesting.

Tomatoes, on the other hand, last for 10 years and more.

One very important factor is how they're stored. The ideal for most is cold, dry and dark (you can store them in sealed plastic bags in the freezer -- this is what they do at the seed-banks at Kew Gardens and places like that.)

Answer 3

Yes, some seeds can have a shelf life of 5 years (which can  be noted on some packages, but not always). Packages should really show the range of viability because sometimes some seeds can last longer than what is stated on the packages.

How long the seeds are viable  depends on which vegetable seeds you're planting,  the source you bought it from,  & the conditions in which you save them.

"Our vegetable seeds have a shelf life of two to five years, noted on the back of each seed packet. "

http://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/tips.h...

"Most vegetable seeds remain viable for three to five years when stored properly. Place thoroughly dry seed in a tightly closed glass jar and keep the jar in a cool dry location. Put silica gel packets in with the seed to help keep it dry. You can add diatomaceous earth to seed to help prevent insect damage. Store seed in the refrigerator to further increase its life expectancy."

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1...

Oregon State University vegetable researchers note that parsnips & spinach have the shortest seed life.. one year...and there may be some correlation with oil content of seeds with seed life. Generally, the higher oil content seeds decline in germination more quickly.

Seed is best stored through the winter at 50 degrees, at 50 percent humidity. A good way to store unused seed packets is to place them in a sealed jar with a desiccant such as powdered milk or rice at the bottom (to absorb moisture). Store your seed jar in the refrigerator or a cool area, such as a basement.

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard, kale, and kohlrabi  seeds lasts three to five years.

Here's a list of vegetable seeds & how long they remain viable:  If you keep your seeds dry and cool, you can expect many of them to last longer than the time periods indicated here:

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/st...

Good luck!!!   Hope this is helpful.

Answer 4

It is worth a try.

Answer 5

It really depends upon how you have kept them. It is worth having a try planting them, waste not want not!

Answer 6

If they are special seeds to to you, either sentimental or difficult to obtain, I would give them a go. If not to avoid disappointment, just buy new ones, seeds are relatively cheap.

Answer 7

Yes they do,Plant them anyway,Nothing ventured,Nothing gained.

Answer 8

try and see

Answer 9

Not usually, but they should have the year that they were packaged for.  In general, the smaller the seed, the less time it will last.  Something like lettuce is only good for the year it is packaged, but a pumpkin, corn, or bean seed could last a few years.  Also, the conditions under which you keep them matters too.  Cooler conditions help the seeds last longer because the metabolism of endosperm inside the seed is slowed.

What I suggest doing is using them, but make sure that you plant them a little thicker than normal.  If they all germinate, then you can always thin them down.  If they do not come up, at least you tried and you know rather than just wasting them and tossing them out before trying.

Answer 10

haha funny

Answer 11

The v iability of seeds depends a lot on the variety, and how the seed has been stored   , Some species need to be planted no later than the season following their harvesting.  Others  , like tomatoes for example might be Ok for 5 years or more,, So cannot generalise.  All I can say is try them  you might be lucky... The packet usuall tells you the year of which the seed is from.

Answer 12

It depends on what sort of seeds they are, some species last longer than others (and where they have been stored)

Seeds lose their viability over time - and don`t always grow well.  You need fresh seeds each year to stand a better chance of getting good crops.

You could check up on the viability of different seeds on the web  - there is a big difference in how long various species will last.