Hey everyone! I've got a question about the sell by dates on seed packets. How crucial is this date? I tend to find some old, unopened packets tucked away in a cool, dark drawer, and the oldest ones I have are from 2021. Can I still plant these, especially the tomato seeds?
4 Answers
Absolutely! I often toss old seeds into a corner of my garden just to see what happens. I remember seeing a cool reference by Joe Gardner about seed shelf life—you can probably find it online!
You should be just fine! While older seeds might have a lower germination rate, they can still sprout. Just be aware that not all seeds will perform at their best after the sell by date.
I've got lettuce seeds from way back in 2012-2016, and they still work great! Just overplant a bit and thin them out later if needed.
Thanks for the tip! I have a couple of old lettuce packs I was worried about too.
The sell by date is mostly there to ensure peak germination. Many seeds, especially tomatoes, remain viable long after that date if stored right. You should still get decent results!
Totally agree! There's nothing risky about planting older seeds, it’s just that the germination might drop a bit.