How Long Do Seeds Last?

Many seeds can last for years before planting. The exact number of years varies by plant. Gardener Scott shows the expected viability time of vegetable garden plants and demonstrates how to do home seed viability tests to check old seeds. (Video #333)
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[@jturie]

seed suppliers list much shorter viability years. Then again, they are in business to sell seeds. Thanks for this great info.

[@untermench3502]

I had a packet of Tomato seeds that lasted twelve years. They might have lasted longer, based on the near 100% germination rate, but I finally ran out of seeds. My secret is to keep my seeds in a sealed 'Tupper Ware' type container in the freezer.

[@brianseybert2189]

I have to say... as it may go unnoticed, your videos are very well orchestrated. No shaky cameras, no zooming in and out like you are on a roller-coaster, your editing is flawless and as always, your demeanor. So much enjoyment and terrific information from your videos. Thanks again Gardener Scott.

[@trudysfun]

I've also been noticing the level of the production quality lately, each video seems to be getting better and better :)

[@victorwadsworth821]

Good scripting is also a plus.

[@BurkenProductions]

Should try the 40 year old tomato seeds i still have

[@derekcox6531]

Yes actually you should!

[@TalkingThreadsMedia]

Nothing to lose - definitely give it a go! If you have anything rare (or no longer available on the commercial market), please do what you can to bring it back. Good luck and best wishes from Kate in Olympia, WA!

[@DM-kt8rd]

Yes! Grow and save fresh seed. That's how you keep it going.😊

[@ascensionessentials]

please try them

[@reneebru1]

I’m SO happy!!!! I bought tons of heirloom seeds a couple years ago. I’m so glad I came across your video Scott! Thank you!🙏 🎉

[@bwittem]

I sowed cherry tomato seeds from 2007 last year. They grew just fine. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Never hurts to plant a seed and see what happens.

[@yeevita]

I still have lettuce seeds from 2003 that I try every year and they still grow.

[@generalawareness101]

2009 egg plant seeds with the envelope in pristine condition, and sealed, as if it had just been purchased with not a single one being viable. I tried all kinds of methods to no avail. I did the sink or float viability test too proving that old wives tale is garbage.

[@stevekirkby6570]

Yep, brilliant to show this... I usually grow from what I have, and mostly everything lasts longer than expected :)

[@d.w.1485]

Literally answers the question in the first 30 seconds. Thank you, sir!!

[@pifs-TM]

My dad always used the whole packet….as they aged he said just try adding a few extra and thin if they all work. So we always said, they last pretty much till you use them all….just add a few more as the years age.

[@tamaracross9]

I received a "vintaged" seed collection from 1985 from a friend and I know they will sprout. I think I'll grow a few of them this year. They were store in a dry basement in a zip lock bag.

[@DiggingForHealth]

Great video! I have had success with tons of "old" seeds too! Only a handful of varieties don't do well when stored too long. I say plant extra seeds and see what happens!

[@simhifree2416]

Great topic! I believe that the date on seed packets is similar to the dates put on food and drinks. There is a difference between the Best Sell By Date and the Expiration Date. Seeds can last decades or hundreds i.e. Archeologists have found ancient seeds and grown them successfully.

[@vvolpe572]

I've started saving my seeds a couple of years ago and planting them year after year with great success and even harvesting seeds from the plants I grow. I usually "gift" seeds to friends and neighbors if I have an overabundance. Good to know I am not at the mercy of the seed companies every season! I am so glad to get confirmation you can't just harvest seeds from supermarket produce to try to grow. I didn't think you could, but others have tried telling me otherwise.

[@danielcharbonneau222]

Excellent information Thanks Scott. The garden center that I shop at told me to buy my seeds every second year and no longer. {Selling ploy} Now I know that seeds can last 5 plus years.

[@vastimoreno21]

Thank you Scott

[@nikkitronic80]

Another great video! Thank you Gardener Scott! I have learned so much from you this year and am excited to continue learning in the years to come. Thank you so much for doing what you do! Happy gardening! ❤️🌱❤️🌱❤️🌱❤️🌱❤️🌱❤️

[@heidiclark6612]

Thank You Gardener Scott! I have always been baffled by how long a seed will be viable. Since I am a seed-a -holic I am glad to hear that the seeds I have will last a little bit longer.

[@anthonybarnes]

Thanks Scott! I bought a variety of seeds but moved and no longer have a yard for a garden. I have them stored in sealed plastic bags and hope they sprout when I am able to have a garden again- this gave me hope!

[@eliandkate]

this was an absolutely stunning idea - nice to have everything laid out for us to help us make decisions. Thank you :D

[@Truthfully12312]

Best video for me. I have a small terrace garden and could not grow more than five six plants of any vegetables but seeds are in excess as even the smallest packet contains more. Was looking for right answers and through you I got in touch with entire bunch of geniuses.Thanks I am joining you and your followers ❤️❤️

[@anthonyraines5951]

I've often wondered this. Thank you!

[@rmoretz1]

I 1st watched on the 27th and put it into effect immediately by going through my seeds and performed a viability test on onions, beans, and lettuce. Germination for the onions was 90+%; beans were 100%; lettuce was 90-100% depending on variety. The seeds were 3 years old. This has enabled me to not purchase seeds for these this year in these categories. The only failures were with some pelleted lettuce seed that were 2 years old. Thank you so much for this information. Appreciate your videos.

[@LearnEnglishWithJess]

This was very helpful, thanks!

[@TalkingThreadsMedia]

Delighted that you took the time to make this video! It is proof-positive that people do NOT need to buy new seeds every year. Best wishes, Kate in Olympia, WA

[@jackieroberts6316]

Thank you so much for this information. I will do a test on my old seeds right now.

[@frankbarnwell____]

Thanks GS. Cool, dark, and dry for longevity.

[@derekcox6531]

Excellent episode mr Scott! I have grown lettuce from seed that was 7 years old. It was just a “wonder if it’ll work” sort of thing…and it did. Although I wasn’t meticulous with my observation,it did appear that at least a third of the seeds germinated which was great! This episode has inspired me to take a closer look at my seeds and I’m going to try some of those older packs this spring. 👍👍👍

[@yeevita]

I bought a large bunch of my seeds in 2012-2014. Those are most of my pepper, tomato, veggie seeds every year and I still have those seeds. I have not noticed any of them not germinating to the point where I pour them out. I do buy a seed packet or 10 every 3-4 years. I also still have seeds from 2001-2004, when I had a different garden. I still try to grow those every year or two and again have not noticed ones that fail germination. Older seeds can sometimes take more seeds before I get some sprouts. Sometimes, it is just the conditions though. I start in cold weather under cover, then keep going through warmer weather. I have not even had problems with onion seeds, though leeks seem to germinate better than onions and chives. For eggplants, I would say germination is great but it might depend on the variety or seed source. I always find my own seeds germinate much better. I also have super old dry beans and I grow those out every year also.

[@Jeff-rd6hb]

Great topic, Scott! For years I stored my seeds in their original packets in a shoebox out in my shop where the temperature & humidity varied wildly. Some varieties of seeds didn't seem to mind whereas others failed miserably at germination. Then I began putting my seed packets in ziplock bags to keep the air out. Same shoebox with no temperature control. Germination rate did improve. I had lots of seeds that would sprout even though they were more than 7 years old. Then I stumbled upon some articles about Svalbard Global Seed Vault where they basically vacuum seal & freeze seeds. I've got a spare freezer in my shop, so I thought I'd try it. Storing my seeds this way I've been getting at least 80% germination for most seeds, some of those packets over 10 years old now. About the only seeds this didn't help were parsnips. Those seem to only last a year no matter how you store them. It's like they've got a self-destruct timer, lol.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Jeff. Sounds like you've had a great progression toward success.

[@bobertcronos8433]

Found a store and all seeds from 2018 were free and I grabbed some up going to give them a go

[@davemeeks8109]

Last year of the 400 seeds planted of tomatoes 1/3 of seeds are store bought 1/3 seeds collected from off season store and 1/3 from last years crop. I had 95 percent germation. My 200 pepper plants germanted at 100%. The only difference so far between your method and my method is the fact that I keep all seed stored in a Fareday cage.

[@chefgiovanni]

I get about the same results. I store in small bags, in a large covered jar in the fridge. Let us cook.

[@stevenbyars3384]

Scott, I think that storage conditions (temp, amount of light in storage area and moisture levels) play a huge role in viability of your saved seeds. I had a bumper crop of bunching onions one year and let about 15ft of the row go to seed (2007). I ended up with about a pound and a quarter of seed. I planted from those seeds in 2021 (gave a bunch away too) and had 95% germination. Other crops had similar results. One of the things that helps is to use the small jars that yeast comes in. I ask my neighbors for any they were throwing out. Those jars are about the size of a baby food jar and are brown glass to help prevent light and a lid with a rubber seal. My storage area stays at about 60 degrees year round with 38% humidity. Good info you presented. I liked the visuals with sprouted seeds.

[@GardenerScott]

You're right, Those jars are ideal. Thanks.

[@meritcooper]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@FloridaGirl-]

That was a good vid! 👍 Good experiment. Thanks for showing us the germination results. Funny, being a gardner. You just can’t help buying more seeds! 🤣👍 Have a great day/night Gardner Scott!

[@christianerardt3705]

On Xmas i found over 10 years old seeds of nasturtiums and sweet peas in my moms garden box. So i took some and now i figure out if they still work. I give them a good start with a tea bath for a couple of hours. We shall see if it works ... 😉

[@yeevita]

Try different methods and check the internet in case other people have other methods. Seeds are extremely resilient! They really want to grow. Even if I get seeds that seem to have germination issues, I keep trying and so far, every time, I eventually succeed. Now whether I end up liking the plant, that is a different question.

[@shandysgarden]

I love this video and I just finished watching the seed testing video! Thanks

[@nickc5696]

Anyone else experiencing audio issues on Gardener Scott's videos lately or just me?

[@JoyoftheGardenandHome]

Thank you GS for this experiment, awesome visual. I'd like to know how the eggplant does next week...

[@GardenerScott]

It's been another two weeks since I tested and there have been no new ones germinate.

[@michaelmarchione3408]

Thanks for the information! You saved me a lot of research time. I checked out your sources for even more great info. Take care!

[@sandy-rr1by]

I had a couple old packs someone gave me, didn't germinate well last year, so to get rid of them, this time I showed them all. We'll see!

[@donwilliams1193]

Thank you Gardner Scott for for videos they are very helpful. Can you tell me when do you put new videos out. Thank you again

[@GardenerScott]

I have new videos every week on Thursday and Saturday. I also do a livestream every Monday.

[@victorwadsworth821]

I surprised this question & answer hasn't surfaced more often.

[@nicknichols3810]

Excellent and very useful video. Thank you!

[@marcogallazzi9049]

Very Interesting. There should be a corelation between the germination rate and the climate from where the plant originally came from. As a beginner gardener i bought a lot of seeds, and watching your videos i decided to plant only a portion of each, which turned out to be a lot :). Now i have plenty seeds left for next year and a plentyfull crop too. As always, than you very much for your knowledge!

[@roberthicks4794]

Thanks again sir for solid useable info..

[@johnwhitton9977]

Good one

[@K-Zone]

Great vid! I noticed your mic seems muffled these last few videos.

[@cassie7946]

Great video as always, Gardener Scott! I’ve never done germination tests before. Just an FYI, your last few videos with this microphone have sounded muffled, which makes it kind of hard to listen to.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks for that info. It was a new mic and I've ditched it and bought a new one.

[@lizadivine3785]

I germinate everything before I plant it.

[@paulamensing1664]

Good to know, thank you.

[@ddc2343d]

Funny i found a bag of grocery store beans in the back of my pantry that were probably 7-8 years old. For fun I just soaked then to see if they would germinate. I got about 50% germination.

[@JWHealing]

great topic. Thanks!

[@victorwadsworth821]

I used to use empty Kool-Aid packages to store new seeds & give them away with. Remember they have a foil lining.

[@KatWrangler]

I loved this! Very informative. I am a new gardener and want to learn to sow from seed. If I over buy packets of seeds, I need an idea of how long they will last.

[@sandy-rr1by]

I have had terrible luck trying to grow bunching onions.

[@billysanford9799]

I always keep my seeds in a coffee can in the back of the refrigerator.

[@loveofgrowing515]

Can I like this multiple times!!

[@jamietidwell6941]

I got corn seeds it's been 5 years but I keep them in a dark place in containers.

[@levanera]

I'm doing a test this year of peas, I started a set of pea seeds from 2020, 21, and 22 seed packets. How many of them will germinate of the 16 each I planted? Probably all of them! It's just for fun and I always have lots left over anyways

[@jenpaige3110]

I plan to grow heirloom bell peppers from seeds I collected 2 years ago. Wish me luck!

[@brianseybert2189]

They will be fine, GOOD LUCK!

[@KatBurnsKASHKA]

Thanks for the video, Scott! Your microphone sounds very muffled in this. Is there a way you could test some audio and see if you can improve? I find when my lav battery is low it can get muffled, or maybe it's an EQ thing. Appreciate your videos!

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Kat. It was a new mic and I've ditched it and bought another one.

[@shandysgarden]

In regards to blocking... Gardner Scott!! Could I take cardboard strips and cut little slats in them and make criss cross grids out of them? Very similar to the dividers you might find in a storage box for your Christmas ornaments! I could use a thin cardboard like from a cereal box or any cardboard really and just fill them with soil down in a tray and they would help wick up the water in between the blocks. I don't think I would get the same air pruning benefit, but the bottom being open I don't see any root rot or binding. Thoughts?

[@seanaames6855]

Nice!

[@burresscounty]

Great video. I'm curious what type of wings ya got on your chest in the pic behind you.

[@GardenerScott]

I was a pilot. Those are basic Air Force Pilot wings.

[@burresscounty]

@@GardenerScott I thought so. Thanks. I am currently a KC-135R Pilot.

[@GardenerScott]

@@burresscounty Awesome! That's what I flew! I started with the KC-135A, transitioned to the R when it came out and taught at the Castle AFB school. I was an ADO and helped set up the operations at Altus.

[@debjh]

Loved this video! Thanks! So, is it the same with wildflower seeds?

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. It depends on the seed but most wildflower seeds should last many years.

[@serrielu8025]

I think GS’s audio is muffled, not as rich as past videos. Am I mistaken? this was interesting

[@GardenerScott]

That was identified by a few viewers. It was a new mic and I've bought a new one.

[@mogeking56]

That’s what my mama told my daddy she keeps her eggs 🥚 in a shoe box 📦 in the closet just in case we need another child on the farm.

[@kittiew260]

Great video. Have you tried this with pellets seeds? I read that they need to be used vs saved so curious viability if stored. This season is the first time I have purchased pellet seeds so wasn't sure if fact or myth. Thank you

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. I have some old pelleted seeds that I am planning to test, but I haven't done a video on it yet. I'm not sure yet either.

[@DM-kt8rd]

I grew pelleted carrot seed, 2014, last year, 2023. I expected them to be old and not viable. I planted thick and regretted it! I had to thin like crazy. They came up great!

[@dtaylor4200]

Is this info in a book anywhere? It’d be nice to have for reference

[@GardenerScott]

There are seed saving books with that info. Here's one I use: amzn.to/3SsbnRm

[@TheSamba37]

TIL about cardoon!

[@MrJrb129]

Go watch him over at Rumble

[@garyradford9381]

@gardner Scott , Hello Gary back at you with a question , found one of my citrus trees soil the pH on one of my trees was around 8 the other one was around 7 + looking around on my trusty phone they say to put 2 TBS of wh vinigar or coffee grounds does any of theis to things work or is there some else for the short term you thoughts on this , I quess I have reality bad soil . thanks Gary AZ

[@GardenerScott]

Coffee grounds really don't change pH much and vinegar can adversely affect soil life. Sulfur is available in most nurseries as a way to lower pH long-term.

[@garyradford9381]

@@GardenerScott thank for getting back with on that , now I love citrus trees I am going to get 2 mores trees , I am going to buy this special planting mix by EB Stone the pH in that soil 4.5 -- to 5.5 range now the water we have here is alkiline how do I maintain that pH level these 2 trees are going in 2×6 wooden boxes open on the bottom 30"× 30× 22" deep

[@steventavares5895]

Didn’t some person in Israel resurrect like 2,000 year old seeds

[@sandi9546]

I thought I had to buy new seeds every year. 🤦‍♀

[@Chelleyshall]

So I should go ahead and toss my onion seeds from 2011? Cool cool…

[@GardenerScott]

You can try a germination test to see if they're still viable, but don't expect much.

[@2200chuck]

What about the Global Seed Vault on Spitsbergen, part of Norway’s Svalbard archipelago? Seeds there are frozen and supposed to last hundreds of years. Can I freeze my seeds to make them last longer?

[@GardenerScott]

Their conditions are very precisely controlled with both temperature and humidity. Most homes are not able to duplicate that and it usually isn't necessary because garden seeds last long enough for typical use.