how long can you 'keep' vegetable seeds. I am moving across the country next summer so I will be limited in the veggie garden that I can actually get into the ground next year. But I want to know if any seeds I buy in fall 2005 or spring 2006 will be usable by spring 2007? I'm one of those who is convinced that things are going to start changing in North America very drastically in the next couple years and I am concerned about veing able to get seeds or even of the price in years to come. I just want to be as prepared as I can be.
it all depends on the type of seed some last longer than others. and this can vary from type to type. in most cases if kept in a cool dry place in a sealed container the worst that will happen is they won't all come up. if you're stocking up seeds for the eminant stupidity that gonna happen, make sure you select varieties that will produce usable seed stock for you. some varities are cross breeds and seed from them might not be the same vegetable the seed came from, some won't even produce sometimes. in your planning ahead you might also want to look into the foods you can gather, cuz i have this feeling things that will happen will force us to keep moving and hiding, which means no garden. but seeds properly packaged can last for years in most cases. those vaccuum sealers for leftovers work great and you can just put them in the fridge or freezer until you move.
Just wanted to add,that a quick way to test seeds is in water...put any questionable seeds into a cup of water. Good seeds will sink to the bottom,bad seeds float. That may not always be accurate,but it's worked for me alot of times when I've had older seed packets laying around. BTW,I also believe that the life we know could be turned upside down,anytime really. Good on ya for thinking ahead.
also forgot to mention that when saving seeds from fresh tomatoes soak them in water for a day or so and stir them occasioanlly to get pulpy outer fluffy stuff off. leaving the fuzz will make it hard for it to germinate. i dry them on a paper towel or old newspaper for a few days, spreading them out and most times just leave them stuck and fold the paper up into a sealed container. makes it easy to just tear off what you need to plant no need to pull it off since the paper is biodegradable. also presoaking harder seeds like beans, corn, etc overnight seems to promote germination and helps the new plant to break through.
You're absolutely right about soaking the seeds overnight. I tried that this year with some pumpkin seeds...I soaked them and then put them right into the ground and those pumpkins sprouted up so fast. I stagger plant the corn,so that all of the corn isn't ready to pick at one time...on my third planting,I soaked the seeds...same great results,much better than the first two plantings. I definitely recommend soaking the seeds first.
