How Long Do Vegetable Seeds Last?

17 years ago

I just nuts and bought a bunch of different types of vegetable seeds because they were on sale even though I probably won't use them until next year. (Well, I might do a fall crop here in N Cal.) Anyway, I wanted to know how long the seeds should last? I've read that tomato seeds can last 3-5 years as long as they're stored in a cool, dry, dark place. How about the other types of seeds? Here is a list of seeds that I purchased.

Beans

Basil

Onion

Beetroot

Carrot

Sweet Pepper

Radish

Corn

Lettuce

Artichoke

Eggplant

Snow Peas

Thanks,

Gary

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

glchen
Original Author
17 years ago
Ouch, I posted to the wrong forum. Meant to do this in the veggie forum. Any way to delete this post or move it?
anney
17 years ago
Probably not, but don't worry about it. Many of us have posted something on the wrong forum!

But I think I have an answer for you. Google "seed shelf life" and see what you can find. Here's what I found and am keeping in my gardening spread-sheet. I think these are minimum years. Some seeds last much longer than the years given if they're stored under optimal conditions.

Shelf Life of Seeds
Asparagus - 3 years
Beans - 3 years
Beets - 4 years
Broccoli - 3 years
Brussels Sprouts - 4 years
Cabbage - 4 years
Carrots - 3 years
Cauliflower - 4 years
Celeriac - 3 years
Celery - 3 years
Chard,Swiss chard - 4 years
Chicory - 4 years
Chinese Cabbage - 3 years
Collards - 5 years
Corn - 2 years
Corn Salad-(mache) - 5 years
Cress - 5 years
Cucumbers - 5 years
Eggplant - 4 years
Endive - 5 years
Kale - 4 years
Kohlrabi - 3 years
Leeks - 2 years
Lettuce - 6 years
Muskmelon - 5 years
Okra - 2 years
Onions - 1 year
Parsnips - 1 year
Peas - 3 years
Peppers - 2 years
Radishes - 5 years
Rutabagas - 4 years
Salsify - 1 year
Scorzonera - 2 years
Sorrel - 4 years
Southern Peas - 3 years
Spinach - 3 years
Squash & Pumpkins - 4 years
Tomatoes - 4 years
Turnips - 4 years

Coriander - 4 years
Related Professionals
Wausau Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Dalton Landscape Contractors · Ardmore Landscape Contractors · Knoxville Landscape Contractors · Newport News Landscape Contractors · Pittsfield Landscape Contractors · Trenton Landscape Contractors · Mesquite Landscape Contractors · Augusta General Contractors · Branson General Contractors · Oklahoma City General Contractors · Aiken General Contractors · Dubuque General Contractors · Rochester General Contractors · Seattle General Contractors
anney
17 years ago
Sorry! Maybe a look at other sites will give you the information.
glchen
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks a lot. That helps!
trudi_d
17 years ago
I have a page about seed storage. Storage method is very important, ulitmately you want to keep the seeds away from heat sources, severe fluctuations of temperature, and keep them away from excess moisture. If you use the link below, scroll down below 'TIP'; you'll find some links to good info but I think that for a home gardener, the last link HillGardens.Com is going to be most helpful. The other links give a lot of depth, so they're worth looking at too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed Storage