Seed Type | Longevity Under Proper Seed Storage Conditions |
---|---|
Artichokes | 5 years |
Arugula | 3 years |
Beans | 3 years |
Beets | 4 years |
Some seeds, like beans, peas, tomatoes, and carrots, can stay viable as long as four years. Seeds like cucumber or lettuce can stay viable up to six years. … Seeds will stay viable much longer if stored in a cool, dark place.
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.
One method to check for seed viability is the water test. Take the seeds and place them in a container of water. Let the seeds sit for 15 minutes. If the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, discard, because they probably will not sprout.
Whereas basil, radish and cucumber seeds can last an average of five years, with many vegetables and herbs in between! On average if stored properly, most herb and vegetable seeds will last up to 3 years.
For short-term storage, such as for next year’s garden, storing the seed jar in a cool, dark, moisture-free environment is sufficient. Heirloom seeds stored this way will last for 3-5 years. For longer storage, place the jar in the refrigerator and the seeds should be good for 10-15 years.
Most Vegetable Seeds Can Stay Viable for Years
Most vegetable seeds remain good for about two to three years, but some, such as onions, deteriorate within a year. Lettuce, on the other hand, can successfully sprout after five years.
All seeds will be viable for one to two years. After two years, germination rates will drop for many types of seeds, and will eventually fall to zero. So, stocking up on seeds ‘for an emergency’ isn’t a good idea, because they don’t last forever. The type of seed.
Water test: Take your seeds and put them in a container of water. Let them sit for about 15 minutes. Then if the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, they most likely will not sprout.
The rate of germination for a pack of seeds can be estimated by testing 10 individual seeds. Place the plastic bag in a warm environment — like the top of the refrigerator — and after a few days, begin to check the seeds daily. Depending on the variety you are testing, the viable seeds could sprout in just a few days.
The truth is seeds don’t expire. They lose viability if stored improperly. While most seed companies will tell you to replace seeds every 2-3 years, those seeds will keep for decades and will germinate when planted if kept in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Freezing seeds does not harm them, and can greatly extend their lifespan if done properly. All seed banks freeze their seeds intended for long term storage! Humidity is a greater concern with freezing, as a blast of warm humid air on frozen seeds can damage them.
Overnight is usually good. Many sources recommend 8-12 hours and no more than 24 hours. Again, too much soaking and the seeds will start to decompose. If you use very hot water, the soaking time will decrease.
The rule of thumb is to plant seeds at a depth equal to two or three times their width. It is better to plant seeds too shallow than too deep. Some seeds, such as certain Lettuces or Snapdragon, need light to germinate and should not be covered at all.
…the arctic tundra lupine (Lupinus arcticus) found in a frozen lemming burrow with animal remains established to be at least 10,000 years old germinated within 48 hours when returned to favourable conditions.
date palm seed
Scientists in Israel have confirmed that an ancient date palm seed retrieved from the rubble of Masada and successfully germinated is about 2,000 years old. That makes it the oldest seed ever to sprout, beating the previous well-documented record holder, a lotus found in a dry lakebed in China, by about 700 years.Jun 17, 2008
date palm seed
A date palm seed some 2000 years old – preserved by nothing more than storage in hot and dry conditions – has germinated, making it the oldest seed in the world to do so. The ancient seed was found along with several others in the 1960s in the Masada fortress on the edge of the Dead Sea in Israel.Jun 12, 2008
Seeds that are only a year old, or slightly older but whose packets are still unopened, generally germinate nicely. If they’re several years old, the packs were opened and/or the seeds were stored in less than ideal conditions, subject them to a germination test.
Spinach, lettuce, parsnip, and corn seeds are generally only viable for about a year; bean seeds may germinate after two years. The seeds of many squash varieties are often good for three or four years.
Seeds Wash Away
Probably the most common cause is when seeds wash away. This happens when seeds are not planted deep enough and irrigation or rain washes them up from the ground and away, where they fail to germinate or catch because they are no longer in the soil.
Patented genes travel in pollen, creating seeds that can remain viable for up to ten years. If a farmer’s fields contain the patented seed, and he has not purchased it, it’s illegal to harvest them. He also cannot save the seeds for future crops.
While saving seed and even exchanging seed with other farmers for biodiversity purposes has been a traditional practice, these practices have become illegal for the plant varieties that are patented or otherwise owned by some entity (often a corporation).
Generally speaking, heirlooms have superior taste, quality, and hardiness when compared to all other seed types. Most often, heirloom seeds will have been grown under organic conditions, though this is not always the case.
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