By Sarah Robertson | Posted: Sunday, March 16, 2008 12:00 am
Lush green lawns, infiltrating weeds and blooming bulbs are the only visuals necessary to know that spring is really, truly almost here.
This season of rebirth and renewal invariably turns me into an uncharacteristically tidy person-on-a-mission. Weeds and debris are vanquished from the garden; lime green mystery slime is scrubbed off of the siding; storage areas inside and out are de-cluttered; closets and bedrooms are cleaned and rearranged; even the many small critter abodes (fish, guinea pig, gecko, hamster) are buffed and sterilized.
It's a lot of work. My teenagers traditionally plead the homework card at some point during the process, but are good for periodic deployment. My spouse does all messy, tough or heavy jobs without complaining (what a guy!!), while I tend to obsess over the details.
I've learned that food breaks and encouragement are essential, and that a chocolate sundae topped with an i-Tunes gift card can make even a chore-laden 17-year-old feel appreciated.
According to readers, leftover flower and vegetable seeds are one of the many items that need organizational clarification at this time of year. On to this month's burning question!
March Q & A
Question: "I just found several seed packets dating back anywhere from one to five years. Are the seeds inside still viable, or should I purchase fresh seeds this spring?"
Answer: To be honest, it all depends on the type of seed and how airtight the storage.
Seeds kept in a cool, dry, dark place (a empty film canister; a airtight bag that included a desiccant packet to absorb moisture; snap lock food storage containers, again with desiccant packets) last the longest and are probably still viable. But the germination rate drops precipitously with every passing year, so it's good to test older seed.
Certain vegetable and herb species, including sweet corn and parsley, don't keep well beyond the first season. Tomato seed, on the other hand, can last for several seasons - up to four years, if the seed is properly stored.
Perennial and annual seeds are variable, but tend to last longer. Some annuals such as cosmos, marigolds, petunia and stock can last for several years.
The best way to know for sure is to conduct a simple, yet extremely effective, germination test: wet six paper towels until they are moist but not dripping. Spread a layer of the seeds you want to test so they're not touching. (Make a key on a separate sheet of paper if you're testing several varieties and/or the seeds look alike!)
Roll up the damp paper towel and carefully secure in plastic wrap - this ensures that the towels stay moist and your seeds don't dry out.
Place the roll in a bright, warm location (65-70 degrees) out of direct sunlight. If there's no sign of sprouting in 10 days, or germination is poor, the seed should be tossed and fresh seed purchased.
Don't want the hassle of testing? Go ahead, be brave and sow those older seeds. But do plant more thickly to make up for possibly lower germination rates.
Q: "Why do seed packets have so many seeds?! Thank goodness some companies are now offering the option of ordering fewer seeds. Still, I often have leftovers and need advice on how best to store these seeds. Any tips?"
A: Just to reiterate, airtight containers are the best way to store leftover seeds. Labeled baby food jars, film canisters (ah, but we're in a digital age!) and similar containers are excellent. Keep these containers in a cool, dry location where the temperature doesn't fluctuate very much - a root cellar, basement, even a shelf inside a fridge works.
You may also want to purchase miniature bags of desiccant to place inside the storage container. Desiccants remove any excess moisture that may develop and helps to keep the seed firm, dry and mold-free.
I like to keep my seeds out of the light, but that's just me. Remember, too, that it doesn't make sense to keep leftover hybrid seed - they don't always breed true and succeeding generations are usually less vigorous.
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