p.s. Some are in paper envelopes that seem to be water-wrinkled; some are unopened in plastic envelopes.

Also as an side question, anybody know a good and cheap source for cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) "Red Ripper" for summer cover crop? Maybe someone here has a few *pounds* of cowpeas available?

Peas,
YangYi

Unopened plastic envelopes from 2000, stored properly which means in a fridge, should give you some sprouts. Anything that is likely to have been damp, or stored warm/hot for any amount of time, is probably going to be very poor.

Last year I planted really old tomato seeds that had been both mine and my Mum's. Some of hers were from as far back as the late 70s, several from the 80s. I saved most of the 'newer' seed from the 90s and 00s to use this year. :-) Can't say the germination rates were great, I planted them like 10 at a time in various spots. But I did get enough tomato plants to fill the desired area and transplant some elsewhere. What have you got to lose? The wet packages are probably a no go, but the unopened ones I would certainly try.

Marcia

approximate age as which seed of a good initial viability stored under cool, dry conditions still give a satisfactory result. "
Tomatoes 4 yrs.
Squash 4 yrs.
Cucs. 5 yrs.
Cress 5 yrs.
Eggplant 5 yrs.

Taken from " The New Seed Starters Book" by Nancy Bubel

One of my many books that I reply on:)

You are on the cusp. Use em or lose em.

You may want to run a germination test on 10 seeds on a paper towel in a damp bowl before counting on them for crops.

Crazy Larry