Each winter, I start thinking about what seeds I may want to plant in my garden for spring and summer. Before I get too far in my planning, I first rifle through the half-empty packets of seeds left over from the prior year (and in some cases, several years) and wonder if any of them are still viable. I usually shrug, toss the seeds in the ground, and wait to see what happens. If the seeds don't germinate, then I buy some new ones. Obviously, this haphazard approach to planting is far from ideal because it can put me several weeks behind my intended planting schedule by the time I notice that the seeds haven't germinated.

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But this year, I decided to do a little research about how long seeds last. I was a little surprised to learn that seed viability varies considerably with the type of plant. Seed viability also will vary depending on whether the seeds are have been pretreated or pelletized. I was less surprised to learn that viability varies even under optimal storage conditions.

Seeds should be stored in cool, dry, dark conditions. Place the seeds in an airtight, watertight container such as a jar with a rubber seal (like a baby food jar or canning jar) or a zip lock bag inside a jar. To keep the seeds cool (ideally, below 50 degrees), some people store them in a jar in their refrigerator or freezer.

Seeds in good condition and stored properly will last at least one year and, depending on the plant, may last two to five years. I found a quite a few tables on the internet indicating the average shelf life of vegetable and flower seeds that are properly stored. Those sources are listed below. Here is a shorter version for a variety of vegetable seeds:

• 1 year: onions, parsnips, parsley, salsify, and spinach
• 2 years: corn, peas, beans, chives, okra, dandelion
• 3 years: carrots, leeks, asparagus, turnips, rutabagas
• 4 years: peppers, chard, pumpkins, squash, watermelons, basil, artichokes and cardoons
• 5 years: most brassicas, beets, tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, muskmelons, celery, celeriac, lettuce, endive, chicory

(Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds http://www.johnnyseeds.com/t-faq.aspx#questionshelflife)

If you are uncertain about whether seeds will germinate, you can do an easy germination test. Count out a specific number of seeds, anywhere from ten to one hundred seeds. Moisten a paper towel or a coffee filter and place the seeds on it. Fold or roll up the moistened paper over the seeds, making sure that the seeds don't touch each other, and put the paper inside a plastic bag in a warm place. Check the seeds after two or three days and then every day thereafter for a week or so. Spray the paper as need to maintain moisture. After the standard germination period has passed (as provided on the seed packet), count to see how many seeds have germinated and calculate the percentage of germination by dividing the number of seeds germinated by the number of seeds tested. Compare the germination percentage it to the germination rate (if there is one) on the seed packet label. If the seed germination rate is high, then the seeds are fine to plant. If the germination rate is low, you may want to purchase new seeds.

Sources for seed viability tables:

Vegetable seeds

• Iowa State University Extension: http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews//3-3-/seedv.html
• Virginia Cooperative Extension: http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-316/426-316.html

Vegetable and flower seeds

• Clear Creek Seeds: http://www.clearcreekseeds.com/seed-viability-chart/
• Hill Gardens: http://hillgardens.com/seed_longevity.htm                                                                                                                                           

Vegetable Seeds: Viability Chart
(How Long Do Old Garden Seeds Last?)

A great way to cut down on costs is to avoid buying unneeded seed packets. If you still have plenty of retail seeds left over from the previous year, you might not need to buy new ones for the new growing season.

It's worth saving seed packets beyond the first year because many vegetable and flower seeds can remain viable for several years if stored properly. By saving seed packets, you can save money and ensure a more sustainable garden by avoiding the need to purchase all new seeds every year.

Seed viability depends on the age of the seeds at the time of purchase. Any proper retail seed packet should have a date stamped on it. Typically, this is simply a year indicating the growing season for which those seeds are intended to be planted. For example, if a seed packet says "Packed for " then this is the prime planting year. Those seeds were grown and packaged in to be ready for the market the very next season. This doesn't mean the seeds will be 'expired' after . They shouldn't be sold to consumers, but that doesn't mean the seeds are necessarily useless in . In general, seeds do have 'expiration dates' or periods of viability. But there's quite a lot of variability.

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The longevity of seeds varies greatly depending on the species. Some cultivar seeds can last for several years while others may lose their viability within a year. The viability of seeds also depends on factors such as the quality of the seed and how the seeds are stored. The chart on this page is a handy reference that will give you a general idea of what lifespan you can expect from old seed packets. Even still, it's always a good idea to test the germination rate of older seeds before planting to ensure a good yield.

Here are some general guidelines for the viability of some popular vegetable seeds that you can store indoors:

Vegetable Seed Years Viable &#; Artichokes 4-6       4   6         Arugula 3-5     3   5           Basil 4-5       4 5           Beets 2-4   2   4             Brussel Sprouts 4-5       4 5           Cabbage 4-5       4 5           Carrots 2-3   2 3               Celery 3-5     3   5           Corn 2-3   2 3               Cucumbers 5-10         5         10 Eggplant 4-6       4   6         Green beans 3-4     3 4             Kale 4-5       4 5           Lettuce 2-3   2 3               Okra 2-3   2 3               Onions 1 1                   Parsley 1-2 1 2                 Parsnips 1-3 1   3               Peas 3-4     3 4             Peppers 2-5   2     5           Pumpkins 4-6       4   6         Radishes 4-5       4 5           Spinach 2-3   2 3               Squash 4-6       4   6         Swiss chard 3-4     3 4             Tomatoes 4-6       4   6         Watermelon 4-5       4 5           Zucchini 4-6       4   6        

SOURCES:
William Robinson. (). The Vegetable Garden: Illustrations, Descriptions, and Culture of the Garden Vegetables of Cold and Temperate Climates, English Edition.
Suzanne Ashworth. (). Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners, 2nd Edition.
Edward C. Smith. (). The Vegetable Gardener's Bible, 2nd Edition.
Robert Gough and Cheryl Moore-Gough. (). The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds.

The viability of the seeds can be improved if they are stored under optimal conditions. To improve the longevity of seeds, it's important to store them properly. By following these tips, you can help prolong the life of your seeds and you may find that they remain viable for many years.

Here are some tips for seed storage:



• KEEP SEEDS DRY:

  Moisture is the biggest threat to seed viability. Store seeds in a dry, cool place with low humidity. Airtight containers or jars with tight-fitting lids can help keep seeds dry.



• KEEP SEEDS COOL:

  High temperatures can also reduce seed viability. Store seeds in a cool location, such as a basement, root cellar, or refrigerator. However, make sure the seeds are completely dry before storing them in the refrigerator or they could develop mold.



• USE DESICCANTS:

  Silica gel packets or powdered milk can help absorb moisture from seed storage containers. Place a desiccant packet in the container with the seeds, or sprinkle powdered milk in a pouch made of cloth or paper and place it in the container.



• LABEL SEEDS CLEARLY:

  Label each seed packet with the date, the type of seed, and any other relevant information such as the variety or source. This can help you keep track of how long the seeds have been stored and ensure you use the oldest seeds first.



• KEEP SEEDS DARK:

  Light can also reduce seed viability, so store seeds in a dark location such as a closet or cabinet.

If you only buy a certain seed type every 2 or 3 years, you can save a little money. But you'll save even more money if you start harvesting your own seeds from the vegetables you've grown. Saving money is only one reason to do so.

Additionally, some varieties of plants may be difficult to find or may have been discontinued by seed companies. Saving seeds allows you to preserve and continue growing your cherished varieties.

Saving seeds from your own plants also allows you to select for desirable traits over time, such as flavor, disease resistance, or early maturity, resulting in plants that are better adapted to your specific growing conditions. This process is called "seed saving" and has been an important part of agriculture for thousands of years!

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