Seed Longevity.

[Ron]

I have some packets of Zinnia seeds which are two years old. Wondering if they were still viable for planting, I had a look around the internet and found this on the Amateur Gardening site. It may be of help to others.

If you are sorting through old seed packets through the winter months use this handy table to decide whether seeds are worth keeping.

Veg and flower seeds and how long they are at their best:

Veg seed	Years	Flower seed	Years
Asparagus	3	Ageratum	4
Aubergine	5	Amaranthus	4-5
Beans	3	Anthemis	2
Beetroot	4	Anthirrhium	3-4
Broccoli	5	Calendula	5-6
Brussels sprouts	5	Celosia	4
Cabbage	4-5	Cineraria	3-4
Carrot	3-4	Clarkia	2-3
Cauliflower	4-5	Cosmos	3-4
Celeriac	5	Digitalis	2
Celery	5-6	Eschscholzia	3
Chicory	5	Gaillardia	2-3
Chinese cabbage	5	Godetia	3
Cucumber	5-6	Helianthus	2-3
Endive	3-4	Heliotrope	1-2
Fennel	4	Hollyhock	2-3
Kale	5	Impatiens	2
Kohl rabi	5	Larkspur	1-2
Leek	3	Linaria	3
Lettuce	4-5	Linum	1-2
Marrow	5-6	Lobelia	4
Melon	5	Marigold	2-3
Onion	1-2	Mesembryanthemum	3-4
Parsley	2-3	Myosotis	2
Parsnip	1-2	Nasturtium	5-7
Pea	3	Nicotiana	4-5
Pepper	4	Nigella	2
Pumpkin	4	Pansy	2
Radish	5	Petunia	2-3
Salsify	2	Phlox	2
Scorzonera	2	Salvia	1
Seakale	1-2	Schizanthus	4-5
Spinach	5	Sweet peas	2-3
Sweetcorn	1-2	Sweet William	2
Tomato	4	Viola	1
Turnip	5	Wallflower	4-5
Watercress	5	Zinnia	5-6

Read more at www.amateurgardening.com/top-tips/ornamental/seed-viability-2712#QKQsgKblDs4CgzoD.99

[Rosefriend]

Interesting isn't it Ron, - toms are wrong though - are they talking about shop bought packets perhaps...

[Missredhead]

Most of my seeds are out of date but I plant them anyway 😀 although when I was give some new marigold seeds they did germinate better.

[Barbara]

This is always assuming the darn things are viable to begin with.

[Ron]

Jun 2, 2017 15:44:59 GMT Barbara said:

This is always assuming the darn things are viable to begin with.

You're right there, Barbara, bought some Cosmos and about 10 plants came up from 3 packets.