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
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AuthorHi! My name is Becky and I am a Master Gardener. I own Becky's Greenhouse in Dougherty, Iowa. Archives
January 2025
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