How long do seeds stay viable?
Seed packets have a best-before or expiry date. What does that date mean, and can you still use the seeds afterwards?
The information on this page applies to all seeds except the Salanova varieties.
The seeds of Red Crispy lettuce, Green Batavia lettuce, Red Butterleaf lettuce, Oakleaf lettuce and Crystal lettuce have already been pre-germinated slightly and are enclosed in a clay pellet.
Even when stored in the fridge, they remain viable for no more than one year. It is better still to sow them in the same year you receive them.
The seeds of Red Crispy lettuce, Green Batavia lettuce, Red Butterleaf lettuce, Oakleaf lettuce and Crystal lettuce have already been pre-germinated slightly and are enclosed in a clay pellet.
Even when stored in the fridge, they remain viable for no more than one year. It is better still to sow them in the same year you receive them.
Seeds usually stay good for a long time
For years 🙂
As long as you keep them cool and dry. If you leave the bag open and the seeds exposed, they'll deteriorate faster.
As long as you keep them cool and dry. If you leave the bag open and the seeds exposed, they'll deteriorate faster.
But the expiration date is there for a reason, right?
That's right. The date shows you the optimal germination timeframe. Optimal means that 95% of the seeds will sprout before that date.
With our seeds, it's usually 2 or 3 years from now:
With our seeds, it's usually 2 or 3 years from now:
But that also depends on when it was packaged. Because if you bag them up at the end of the year, they'll still have the same date on the packaging as the ones packaged at the start of the year. Even if the seeds are fresher.
For our seeds, we give it about 2-3 years. Other seed companies often put down something like 3-4 years.
For our seeds, we give it about 2-3 years. Other seed companies often put down something like 3-4 years.
And after that date? What happens then?
Okay so, then the germination rate goes down. For example, from 95% to 80%. So that means even then, 4 out of 5 of our seeds will still sprout.
That said, some kinds of seeds decline more slowly than others. Lettuce and cucumber seeds have different rates, but each bag has the same expiration date.
Take my sugar snaps for example. I'm still sowing the tall sugar snaps seeds I got 6 years ago. Those are still all coming up.
That said, some kinds of seeds decline more slowly than others. Lettuce and cucumber seeds have different rates, but each bag has the same expiration date.
Take my sugar snaps for example. I'm still sowing the tall sugar snaps seeds I got 6 years ago. Those are still all coming up.
I've noticed that lettuce seeds deteriorate faster. In the first year, almost all the seeds sprout, in the second year 3/4, and after 3 years it drops to about half. That is still no problem: I just toss in some extra seeds when I'm sowing.
How long does this 'optimal germination' period last?
If you google around, you'll find all sorts of contradictory information: 1 site says tomato seeds can germinate up to 2 years, another says 6 years.
I found this list to be the most reliable guide:
- 1-2 years: spring onion
- 3-4 years: dino kale, peas, lettuce, New Zealand spinach, snow peas, rocket, bush beans, climbing beans, sugar snaps, carrots and tomatoes
- 5-6 years: endive, courgettes, cucumbers, radishes, beetroot, chard, spinach, winter purslane and lamb's lettuce
But again, it is only a guide. Just look at my sugar snap seeds 😉
If I buy seeds now, are they freshly packed?
Yes, they are all very fresh, unless we are selling off older stock, in which case we clearly state the expiry date.
Otherwise, the packets will almost always remain viable for two to three years, and often much longer in practice.
* Salanova packets always have a shorter expiry date. The same applies to alliums such as Chinese chives and spring onions, whose germination rate also declines more quickly.
Seed bundles may occasionally include a few packets with a slightly shorter expiry date.
Otherwise, the packets will almost always remain viable for two to three years, and often much longer in practice.
* Salanova packets always have a shorter expiry date. The same applies to alliums such as Chinese chives and spring onions, whose germination rate also declines more quickly.
Seed bundles may occasionally include a few packets with a slightly shorter expiry date.
Just to sum it up:
- Almost all seeds are still good even after the expiration date on the bag.
- If you always keep your bags closed, dark, and cool, they'll keep a long time.
- When you sow, you can always add a few extra seeds to each hole.
- If you want to be 100% sure, do a germination test.
That's all there is to it 🙂
