Have you ever found a bunch of old seed packets pushed to the back of a shelf and wondered if they were still good? There is a way to check the viability of those old garden seeds. Even if they have not been stored properly as long as they have stayed dry they could still be able to sprout.
I was cleaning my office area and found a Priority Mail package full of seed packets. I had ordered these seeds from Seeds N Such three years ago and because of life getting in the way I had put them aside and forgotten about them. My first thought was “they have been at room temperature all this time, the seeds will not germinate.” But there were quite a few seed packets representing a few dollars so I decided to check the viability before throwing them away and ordering all new seeds.
How to Check Viability
It is really easy to check viability of old garden seeds. Be sure the seeds are not moldy. High humidity or major changes in temperature can make them absorb moisture and go bad. If you see signs of little bugs in the packet the seeds will be bad because the bugs eat the germ that makes the sprout.
You will need paper towels, ziplock bags and a sharpie pen that will write on the bag. Dampen a paper towel, I folded mine in half to give a little more stability. The paper towel should be moist but not dripping wet. Place your seeds on the towel. I like to put 10 seeds in a row so I can figure the percentage of sprouting easily. Label the ziploc bag with the name of the seeds you are testing. Cover your seeds with another damp paper towel and put all in the bag. Seal it closed and put in a dark warm place to see if the magic happens.
Sprouting Old Seeds!
Leave the seeds tucked away for 3-4 days. I put mine in the top drawer of my file cabinet, it is dark and room temperature just what little seeds need for sprouting. To check the seeds, carefully open the bag and remove the damp paper towel. Be gentle as the tiny sprouts are very fragile. When you pull the covering back you should see some tiny sprouts coming out of the seeds. My beet seeds turned the towel a little pink and the tiny roots actually pushed through the bottom.
Remember that some seeds take longer to sprout. Tomato, beets, greens all sprout in 3-4 days. Pepper, melon and squash seeds will take a little longer to see if they will sprout. If you see no little sprouts after 10 days the seeds are no longer viable.
What is a Good Viability Percentage?
If you only have a 20-30% sprouting rate your seeds are not very good. My seeds are looking pretty good so far so I will be able to plant them and not have to order new ones. 70-80% viability is very good, many seeds have that rate for sprouting when you order them.
So next time you find those old seeds, don’t trash them without checking their sprouting potential first. Even if they have been stored in less than recommended conditions. You might be pleasantly surprised.
While planning your garden for the coming year if you need to order new seeds read about my favorite seed companies. There are so many to choose from!
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