Rachel F Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I have found some courgette seeds that I was planning to plant this year. However, I have noticed that the pack says 'plant before Aug 2007'. Does anyone please have any experience of using out of date seeds? It seems such a waste not to use them, but I have only a very small vegetable 'plot' so I am reluctant to give them a go if they potentially could waste valuable space. Please has anyone had any experience - good and bad - of using supposedly out of date seeds. Thanks. Rachel F. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 years ago my dad found some out of date "sensitive plant" seeds and planted them - just in case. THEY GREW try it, if nothing happens you wont have lost anything except maybe a small amount of soil, but you could have a bumper crop good luck cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Try placing them on some damp tissue for a few days - keep it damp. You should be able to see if they start to split and shoot - if they do, pot them up and continue in the normal way. Carrots don't do well from old seed - it's the one seed I buy new every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I'm always using up old seeds, as I never use a whole packet and always forget where I put them until about three years later! Results vary, but in most cases at least some of them will germinate. Lesley's idea is a good one, it will save you potting things until you're sure. Give it a try, you've got nothign to lose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Lesley's tip is a great one. I've lanted seed well out of date that has come up well. A lot sepends on how it's been stored. Seems best to try some rather than throw them away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 melon seeds, certainly, are good for at least 10 years courgettes (in fact all squashes) along with cucumbers are very closely related to melons so I'm sure your seeds will be just fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 I'm always using out of date seeds too! Last year I used out of date tomato and chillie seeds and got 100% germination. The only thing that never grew at all were some really ancient lettuce seeds. I think they may have been badly stored though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 I also keep my seeds for a few years as I never use a whole packet - some don't work, some do. I just try sowing them in a small 3 inch pot of compost and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Alternatively you can chit a lot of larger seeds on wet kitchen towel in a clear plasitic bag before potting, thereby identifying the duff seeds earlier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 erm........ that's what I said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 erm........ that's what I said! laughing... ,,, my bad for quickly posting while at work lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...