Check your old seeds to see how well they will germinate. There is a list of how long the seeds are good for.

image for A Way to Garden.com 

Good morning, and another awesome day.  Temperatures are to be 50F(10C) today. Part clouds today, And that is what it is right now at 11:30 AM low tonight of 29F ( -1.6C) Unbelievable with last week below zero and zero were our high.  ENJOY, but realize this is Iowa in Feb it will change. 

Australia family and friends will have it cooler at 77F(25C) but gradually it will warm up again to that 101F(38C) next week.  For them, school has started so not surprising it is getting hot.  They had 6 weeks off before the new school year started.  Stay safe, stay cool
​
Are Your Garden Seeds Still Good? Here’s How To Tell
Don't waste time and effort! Before you get growing, check to see if your seeds will germinate with these helpful tips.  by Allison Vallin
Before you plant older seeds find out if they’ll still germinate with these helpful tips. If you’ve started planning your spring garden, you might be taking stock and seeing what materials you have to work with. Are you wondering if the seeds you intended to use last year are still good? Or, what about those heirloom seeds you got as a wedding favor a few years back?
Just like most things in nature, seeds have a shelf life and you need to determine your seeds’ ability to germinate before you start planting. You don’t want to waste your time and effort!
Seed Viability – In A “Nutshell”
Most brand new seeds have a 90% germination rate, meaning that 9 out of every 10 seeds you plant should grow. But if you’ve got seeds that have been hanging around for three years, the germination rate drops to around 60%. That means you’ll need to plant a higher number of these older seeds to increase your chances of growing something.
Seed Viability Test For Older Seeds
If you have older seeds, it’s wise to do a quick viability test prior to planting when using older seeds. Here’s what to do:
It’s a good idea to test viability on older seeds.
Fold a dampened paper towel in half.
Take 2-3 seeds and place them on the damp towel.
Fold the towel over the seeds and place them in a zippered plastic bag or airtight container in a warm location.
After a few days, open the bag and take a peek to see if any sprouted. This will give you a good gauge of how your seeds are germinating.
If the germination rate is low, but there is still some viability (for example, maybe only 2 of the seeds in your test sprouted), simply plant more of those seeds in the garden, knowing that not all may sprout. You’re just increasing the sprouting odds.
If none of them sprout, obviously, you’ll have to purchase fresh seeds.
Seed Storage Tips
Heirloom seeds are often given as wedding favors!
The key to keeping your seeds viable for a few seasons is proper storage. Be sure to do the following:
Keep your seeds in a cool spot that offers a consistent temperature. Your best bet is to put them in a moisture-proof sealed container (if they’re already in packets, you can keep them right in the packets while storing) and store in your freezer or refrigerator. It is extremely important the seeds are 100% dry or mold will develop. You can even add some rice to the container to wick away any possibly moisture.
Keep them out of direct sunlight.
Keep them away from any humidity or moisture.
How you store them won’t only be for the long-term, it will be your day-to-day access while you’re outside sowing.
Storage Life of Vegetable Seeds
Below is a list of the approximate lifespan of your favorite vegetable, herb, and flower seeds when stored properly. Keep in mind this is just an estimate—many seeds might be viable much longer, while others a bit shorter.
Vegetable     Storage Life
Asparagus    3 years
Beans             3 years
Beets             4 years
Broccoli         4 years
Brussels sprouts     4 years
Cabbage        4 years
Carrot            3 years
Cauliflower  4 years
Celery           3 years
Chard, Swiss   4 years
Chicory          4 years
Chinese Cabbage (Bok Choy)      3 years
Corn, Sweet 2 years
Cucumber    5 years
Eggplant        3 years
Endive           5 years
Kale                4 years
Leek              2 years
Lettuce          4 years
Melon            5 years
Mustard        4 years
Okra              2 years
Onion              1 year
Parsnip          1 year
Pea                3 years
Pepper          3 years
Pumpkin       4 years
Radish            4 years
Rutabaga      4 years
Spinach         2 years
Squash          4 years
Tomato         5 years
Turnip            4 years
Watermelon   4 years
Storage Life of Herb Seeds
    Herb          Storage Life
Anise  3 years
Basil             5-7 years
Catnip            5 years
Chives            1 year
Cilantro         5-7 years
Dill               3 years
Fennel           4 years
Lavender      5 years
Oregano       2 years
Parsley          1 year
Sage            3 years
Savory           3 years
Thyme           3 years
Storage Life of Flower Seeds
Seedlings in pot and seed packets, close up, isolated on white background
Flower           Storage Life
Ageratum     4 years
Alyssum        4 years
Amaranth     3 years
Aster               1 year
Baby’s Breath          2 years
Bachelor’s Button  3 years
Calendula     5 years
Celosia           4 years
Clarkia           2 years
Coleus            2 years
Columbine    2 years
Cosmos         3 years
Dahlia             2 years
Daisy             3 years
Delphinium  1 year
Dianthus       4 years
Foxglove       2 years
Geranium     1 year
Hibiscus         3 years
Hollyhock     3 years
Impatiens     2 years
Larkspur       1 year
Lobelia           3 years
Lupine           2 years
Marigold       2 years
Nasturtium   5 years
Nicotiana      3 years
Pansy            2 years
Petunia          3 years
Phlox              1 year
Poppy            4 years
Salvia             1 year
Snapdragon 3 years
Sweet Pea    3 years
Verbena        1 year
Zinnia            5 years
As a general rule, most annual flower seeds are viable for 1-3 years and perennial seeds for 2-4 years.
Other Seed Viability Considerations
While age, variety, and storage are key factors in how your seeds germinate, you should also consider the following:
Light — Some seeds need light to germinate, while others need dark.
Pre-soaking and Scarification—Some seeds have tough outer seed coats that can make it difficult for a seedling to break through. To soften that outer cover, you can presoak the seed overnight. You can also use sandpaper or a knife to gently scratch the seed coat to create an opening through which the seedling can emerge. Your seed packet will tell you if this is required.
Cold Treatment— Some seeds need to be exposed to a period of cold prior to being able to germinate. How cold and for how long, all depends on the plant. But most are easy enough to just be placed in the refrigerator for a few weeks prior to sowing. Your seed packet will instruct you if this is required.
Taken from https://www.farmersalmanac.com/seeds-garden-viable
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  641-903-9365  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse