Can I Use Old Vegetable Seeds in a Garden?

Evaluate the Seed Type

• All vegetable seeds remain viable for at least a year, and most will remain viable for up to two years. Plant seed such as corn and peppers generally do not remain viable longer than two years. Seeds from beans, tomato, carrots and peas may stay viable up to four years. Cucumber and lettuce may stay viable for up to six years.

Consider Storage Conditions

• Storage conditions will play a factor in how viable the seeds are. Seeds that are dried well and stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark place such as a root cellar or even the produce drawer of your refrigerator will remain viable for a longer period. Freezing dried seeds will keep them viable for even longer. Seeds stored in high humidity and high temperatures, such as those found in the attic of a home, will not remain viable as long. Another factor that can harm seeds is the fluctuating of temperatures. Seeds stored in uninsulated garden sheds will die quicker than seeds stored in optimal conditions.

Test for Viability

• If you have stored seeds for a long period, test them for viability before planting them. One way to do this is to germinate a small sampling of the seeds. To do this, place the seeds between two moist paper towels. Roll the paper towels up and put them in an unsealed plastic bag. Within 7 to 10 days, the seeds should germinate. The ratio of ungerminated to germinated seeds should be representative of the percentage of viable seeds as a whole. When planting your seeds, you can also determine which ones are viable by placing the entire collection in a bowl of water. The seeds that float are dead seeds and will not germinate. Skim these off the top and plant the rest.