REMEMBER the old adage Waste not, want not? You can apply this bit of wisdom to your “old” annual and vegetable seeds, too. For instance, consider the Cherokee Purple tomato seeds pictured above. I purchased these back in 2010, and have plenty left over. But are they still viable after two years have passed? Well, let’s find out.
To test for seed-viability, gather together a paper towel, a plastic bag and ten seeds.Why ten seeds? Because this number will permit you to calculate the germination expectancy in terms of percentages. Consequently, if only 5 out of 10 seeds sprout, you’ll know to plant twice as many seeds in order to achieve 100-percent of the crop you want. Here’s the testing procedure:
Spritz the paper towel with water just to dampen it. Then arrange 10 seeds on the lower portion of the towel. Fold the towel so that both sides of seeds receive moisture.
Next, place the towel in a plastic bag, and seal it to lock in moisture. Then label the bag as to seed-type, the year the seeds were packed for sale and date of your test, as above. Set the seeds some place dark and warm. Mine go in my desk drawer.
Check the seeds every daily, by opening the bag, removing the towel, and unfolding it. Some seeds germinate very quickly, while others can be poky. Re-moisten the towel if seems a little dry.
The results:
After only 4 days, all 10 of my Cherokee Purple tomato seeds sprouted. Yeah! These seeds are 100% viable.
However, I can expect only 70% germination for my two-year-old spinach seeds. For three (out of ten) did not germinate.
My old snapdragon seeds have shown no sign of growth after four days. This isn’t surprising. Snapdragons are slow to germinate even when fresh. I’ll give them up to 14 days to to prove themselves.
Now, I hope I’ve given you news you can use. After all, why throw out seeds which were packed in 2010 (or earlier) when, in fact, they could bring you equal pleasure in 2012? Waste not, want not…indeed!
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Related Posts:
Making a Greenhouse & Sowing Seeds
My Favorite Seeds Suppliers…& Yours (2012 Edition)
Starting Tomato Seeds Indoors
That is exactly what I do, right down to the ziplock bag, paper towel and marker! Though sometimes I write on the paper towel and roll it up so I can fit 4 or 5 rolls in a recycled gallon bag.
Mary – Yes – good idea to mark the paper towels (I suspect a permanent marker won’t run?) and use just one bag. And no need to use an entire paper towel, either. One small strip will suffice for 10 seeds.
Best vegetables are healthy for us .
Of course you would picture my all time favorite! You rock! thanks for the reminder to test before replacing… penny saved, penny earned.. plus shipping
!
Cary – You’re a fan of Cherokee Purple, too? I fell madly in love with this heirloom tomato back in 2010. But in the interest of variety I neglected to plant it in 2011 — and boy was it missed. So glad I kept the seeds — and that they are still viable — for 2012!
Yes, it has been my favorite for about 10 years, I think. I have distant Cherokee heritage, so the name won a place in the garden, but the taste won me over hands down! Last year’s seedling ID tags were mixed up in gardening accident
so ate none at all. Very much looking forward to tasting them this year, very hopeful!
Wonderful gardening friend sent a seed sampler of favorite New England heirloom tomato varieties which includes too many varieties for my space. Feel like Meryl Streep in Sophie’s Choice.. but excited to explore new favorites.
Off now to do my KLJ-inspired winter sowing. Please do not tell the groundhog that I am so late starting
. Enjoy this great day, my friend!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful program on winter seed sowing with the Helderview Garden Club at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Voorheesville, NY. last night. I am so excited and motivated. I have only one jug presently, so the decision as to what goes in there is my major concern. Maybe I’ll do a raffle to solve that dilemma. Thank you for all your inspiration.
Cary – New England heirloom tomato sampler — sounds like a great gift to receive! Hope you’ll report back on the varieties and how each fared in your garden. Always fun to try new things, right?
Carol May La Mountain – Well, I had a great time speaking with your club! So glad to hear you feel inspired to winter-sow you garden — let me know what you decide to plant, okay?
yehhh, and then i delicately plant in soft soil, the seeds which have sprouted so NONE are wasted…
Another great piece of information! My mom was an avid gardener and great cook who passed away at a young age. I’m a novice at both, but, I’m learning so much here. Thanks!
ArtistryFarm – Well, yes, especially if you do your testing in spring, when the sprouted seeds can be realistically planted outdoors! (I’ll confess that all but my spinach seeds were sacrificed for the sake of the article above.)
Valerie C. – I’m glad you find this site useful. I suspect you well on your way to becoming a great gardener and a phenomenal cook!
you’re reading my mind, how funny is the timing on this. just yesterday i ran across a whole bag of assorted seeds, and knowing how, well, lets just say, frugal i am, i have been wondering if they were any good. now the tale will be told. wish me luck, it would be lovely not to waste any of the seeds.
Cindy Sue – Glad this is news you can use!
Kevin, What seed companies do you recommend for good quality? I know your dislike for anything Monsanto. Where do you purchase your seed?
Anne – Thanks for asking! Here are two posts you will find helpful: My Favorite Seed Suppliers…& Yours and Keep Monsanto OUT of Your Veggie Patch.
Has the weird warm weather this winter affected your winter sowing? Are plants germinating too early? I was all ready to put the seeds in the soil yesterday–but I worried that it was actually too warm.
Martha – Thanks for writing. Which zone/region are you in? (And please forgive me if I’ve forgotten).
The weird weather has definitely not affected my winter-sowing. Nothing has sprouted yet, probably because the pattern has been thus: a few warm days followed by a few cold ones. And most nights have dipped to near- or below-freezing.
I always sow perennials and hardy annuals first. I wait until March to sow tender annuals and veggies.
Whatever you plant during this freaky winter, it’s probably wise to hold back a few seeds. Just in case.