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How long does garden seeds last before not sprouting?

As far as dry storage,how many years?

Public Comments

1. It really depends on the type of seeds. Many seeds can last up to 20 years or more.In some tests they have found seeds that still germinated 100 years later. Your best guess would be to try planting some and seeing if they germinate.
2. Huge variation. Peppers/capsicums tend to not last more than a couple of years even with optimal storage. Same with most herb seeds, although this is very general. Hard-coat seeds (morning glories, larkspur, mescal bean, MANY others) can last up to a decade or longer properly stored. Others can last seemingly indefinitely.
3. A good way to test old seeds, is to dampen a paper towel, put about 10 of the seeds on the towel, fold it in half and put it in a plastic bag. Check every couple of days to keep the towel moist. After about a week or 10 days, they should germinate. Depending on how many germinate, you will know how viable your seeds are. Any that germinate can be removed from the paper and planted, so nothing is lost.