This should be posted on the Conversation,you can clik on the conv. above on the post for seed swap.
I have noticed that carrots and lettuce seed go bad quickly.
Most seeds will stay a lot of years viable but not as prolific.
Not as many grow in the pak as would have if they were 2011 seeds.Bon

Mary---you didn't say what kind of seeds they were. Some seeds will last for many years. You can always plant them and see what happens. What have you got to lose? You can always reuse the container again for something else.
Duane

Mary,Spinach goes bad quickly too.
Plant those babys,I agree with Duane.
Most people don't want old seeds,in there swaps,I Don't.

Each year when I harvest my new seeds from the same Daisy's say, I have saved,the year before,I dump out the old Daisy seeds,I get rid of them,plant them or give away and yes! have thrown away . Then I, re-lable the pak for the new year say 2011, that way you never have old seeds over 2 years old in your seed pak, draw. It is a help for,me. I put my seeds in ABC order,2 draws of saved seeds,2 draws of keep seed for me. I hope this is helpful. Bon

Bon

Put some of the seeds in between layers of damp paper towels and seal them in a zip lock bag. Put the bag in a warm place, like on top of the refrigerator. If the seeds are good, they will germinate. If 5 out of 10 germinate, you have a 50% germination rate.If 8 of 10 germinate,you have an 80% germination rate. Higher rates are better.With lower rates, plant more thickly.

Be advised that seeds which need cold statification before sprouting may be perfectly good but will not germinate by the afore mentioned method until they have been stratified.