How Long Can You Store Lawn Seed?

Germination Tests

• Grass seed producers perform germination tests on the seed to determine its rate of viability. Rates are listed on the packaging and are valid for a year as long as the seed has been stored under the right conditions. The higher the rate, the better the seed's germination prospects.

Factors

• How long lawn, or grass, seed can be stored while maintaining its germination rate is determined by several factors that affect its shelf life. It should ideally be stored in a cool, dry area completely free of heat and light. For every year the seed is stored, its germination potential decreases from 10 to 25 percent.

Considerations

• How grass seed is harvested also plays a role in its long-term viability potential. Seeds harvested in dry areas that get little rainfall are more likely to start out their storage lives in better shape than seeds harvested in a damp environment.