Planetagarden
An easy indoor way to test for the viability of old seed is to plant some in potting soil. Water it and see how well it germinates. If the germination rate is less than normal, simply sow at a thicker rate than usual to compensate.
- How do you test for seed viability?
- How long is grass seed viable?
- Will 10 year old seeds germinate?
- How do you tell if a seed will germinate?
How do you test for seed viability?
If you have large seeds like peas, beans and corn left over from last year, an easy way to test for their viability is to fill a shallow pan with water and pour the seeds in. If they sink, they're fine. If they float, toss them.
How long is grass seed viable?
If stored in a cool, dry place, grass seed can last for two to three years, but you may not get the same results as you would when planting fresh seed. As the seed ages, the percentage of seeds that will be able to germinate diminishes, forcing you to use more seed than normal to get adequate coverage.
Will 10 year old seeds germinate?
The answer is, yes, seeds will eventually go bad and no longer germinate, but it can take quite a long time. There is a good chance that those old seed packets will have a high percentage of seeds that will germinate just fine. ... And even a group of very old seeds may have 10 or 20 percent that still sprouts.
How do you tell if a seed will germinate?
Water test: Take your seeds and put them in a container of water. Let them sit for about 15 minutes. Then if the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, they most likely will not sprout.
