You win! That is awesome. Actually, good timing with the tomato germination results. I just ordered far too many tomato seeds from Johnny's (quality product) with the intention of planting them in later years, as well. It's nice to know they last a long time.

I'll report which of my old seeds did well once they've germinated.

Yes! All the time. I don't believe in tossing seeds away.

I'll plant seeds till I run out. I've easily done tomatoes from 5 and 6 years past and had great results.

Just germ tested some tomato seeds that I expected none of them to germinate. 15 year old seeds in an open package that where stored in the attic of a friend's brother. Low and behold 6 seeds tested and all 6 germinated. Will be starting a few of them outside in the next week or 2 for my 2 year old granddaughter. She loves cherry tomatoes and want to give her the same first plants that her Mommy got from her grandmother when she was 2 years old; Tiny Tim tomato plants in 8 inch and 10 inch pots. they only grow about 12-18 inches and perfect for a 2 year old to help water and take care of. Can never be to young to start them off in the garden.

Take the leap of faith with the old seeds, just be sure you have some back up, just in case. Most times the old seeds will germinate just fine, maybe not as well as fresh seeds, but heck, what do you have to lose? and you can always germ test them first before you actually so them.

Fran

I sowed some probably eight year old iris seeds and at least half of them sprouted after two years. Sometimes the old ones are a bit slow, so I tend to set the pots aside if they don't come up the first year (and hope the labels don't bleach out before they sprout).